Question about shells

[Desi1031]

First off sorry if I come across as a paranoid mother. That's what I am Was wondering about Oogway's shell, I noticed that the dark ring closest to the yellowish middle was raised. Is this new growth or possibly the start of pyramiding? Any input is appreciated

 

[Neal]

Interesting looking tortoise. It almost appears like his scutes never fully straightened out after hatching (notice the creases on the front scutes). It looks like his scutes are very slightly raised, but I would not be concerned about it if I were you. He appears to be growing and active!

 

[Desi1031]

Yeah I did notice that but figured that was common. Do you think the ring closest to the yellow will flatten out?

 

[expo tort]

Very strange. I know this probably isn't the case but this looks like a case of MBD I saw on the Internet. Don't take that last part as something happening. You seem to be taking very good care of your tort. And I do not know if that bend near the yellower part of the shell will straighten out. Final thing what is that thing your tort is next to in the final photo?

 

[Desi1031]

I hope its not MBD That is a rock. Lol. He got into the garden area and started eating all the plants that were coming up. Ignored the weeds and went after the good stuff.

 

[MyBoyHarvey]

What kind of Tort?
Super Cute I WANT ONE!!

 

[expo tort]

Ok didn't mean to panic you. I highly doubt that it's any form of MBD.

 

[Desi1031]

I was looking at pictures and i found a couple that show that side a little better, he has a few folds on 2-3 scutes and its only on that side.

 

[yagyujubei]

I have a baby box turtle that has creases like that, and I know what caused it. He was slow coming out of the egg, and stayed 1/2 out for a couple of days. As the egg dried, it curled into the shell, and creased it. I think it might actually have cut through the soft new shell if I hadn't seen it. So it could have been something similar I suppose.

 

[Desi1031]

TY! How about the Dark ring close to the yellowish part? Is that new growth?

 

[Tom]

Do you see that rough part in the center of each scute? That is what they hatch with. I've always called that the sheild. Yours had a line of pigment encircling the shield. All the new growth radiates out from that. That is why there are concentric circles around the shield. Each new period of growth adds another "ring". It is at the outside edge of these rings that pyramiding will start to show up, or NOT show up, as the case may be.

The wrinkled scutes are interesting. This is something that happens. I don't know what causes it, but I have seen it before. Dennis' explanation seems reasonable enough to me. There is nothing to be done about it, but I will be curious to see how it develops as time goes by.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Desiree:

The best thing you can do to help your little guy's shell is keep him moist....moist substrate, a moist hiding place, and lots of spritzing with warm water throughout the day.

The dark areas around what Tom calls the shields, is the new growth and is nothing to cause any concern. Little Oogway looks just fine!