Split scutes
 

Hi Guys,
My female laid eggs last year and from her eggs I have two hatchlings that have split scutes, mum and dad don't. So what I was wondering is, what is the chances of these being female? As I'm sure I read somewhere it could be down to temperature during incubation.... Or is this wrong?
Has anyone got a tortoise with split scutes that is a male?

I've seen plenty of male tortoises and turtles with split scutes. It's not always temperature that causes split scutes. Some times it's genetic and low or high humidity could be a cause also.

Danny

Hi yes I have two :)

My Zag has split scutes he also has more than the average number of scutes all over, he is doing great and looks fantastic :) x

Here he is, I counted 17 scutes in total :)

http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7a6fe9da.jpg

Awwww zag is gorgeous :) I love to see split scutes.

My sister in law read something recently about extra scutes. It suggested that millions of years ago tortoises did have more scutes, and when we see extra scutes now , it is just a throw back to that. It was just a theory, no one is saying it is so.

I have two hatchlings with extra scutes. I think they look lovely :)

I didn't realise humidity could play a part :)

Not sure if it's really been accepted with tortoises but it does happen with certain turtles.

Danny