Curious, what are these markings ?

Bertie1974 · 05-10-2008, 03:26 PM

I am curious as to what these white markings are on Dougs shell? They have always been there since I got him in August. I think that it is calcium deposits, but wondered if someone could clarify.

Doug

Pebbles doesn't share the same marking

Sam x x

sandy · 05-10-2008, 07:30 PM

I think these markings come with growth, especially if its a little fast.
If you look at the first tortoises scutes, they are showing the very first signs of pyramiding, (you can only just see it

) and in the second picture you can see the tortoise is still very smooth.

Bertie1974 · 05-10-2008, 08:05 PM

Thankyou Sandy, Doug is the smaller one of the two clutch mates, weighing in at 31g. (still very tiny

and favourite character of the two ). I wonder if anyone can tell me whether new shell growth happens at the edge of each scute or more towards the middle?

Sam x x

sandy · 05-10-2008, 08:34 PM

The new growth is between the scutes I think, and pushes up from within. I could be wrong as I am not that technical on these things

nina · 07-10-2008, 06:57 PM

What I can see -- if you mean those little wiggly white lines under the surface of the shell -- are keratin stress marks. They do come with a period of faster growth, but they are perfectly normal (I remember Andy Highfield saying that these are often observed in torts in the wild), and they will disappear eventually. And don't worry about the word 'stress' -- it's not as stressful as it sounds <g>.

Nina

Bertie1974 · 07-10-2008, 08:37 PM

Thanks Nina and Sandy

In other words, tortoise 'stretch marks'. You have put my mind at rest. I will keep an eye on Dougs growth over the coming months and adjust feeding accordingly. Although, both torts weights/lengths are in line with the Jackson's Hatchling ratio, neither are overweight (unlike their mommy

)

Sam x x

05-10-2008, 03:26 PM	#1
Bertie1974 Member Hatchling Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Willenhall. West Midlands Posts: 505	Curious, what are these markings ? I am curious as to what these white markings are on Dougs shell? They have always been there since I got him in August. I think that it is calcium deposits, but wondered if someone could clarify. Doug Pebbles doesn't share the same marking Sam x x __________________ 2 Cockatiels (Bertie and Billie) 1 Pigeon (Benji) 0.0.2 Ibera (Doug and Pebbles)

05-10-2008, 07:30 PM	#2
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	I think these markings come with growth, especially if its a little fast. If you look at the first tortoises scutes, they are showing the very first signs of pyramiding, (you can only just see it ) and in the second picture you can see the tortoise is still very smooth. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

05-10-2008, 08:05 PM	#3
Bertie1974 Member Hatchling Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Willenhall. West Midlands Posts: 505	Thankyou Sandy, Doug is the smaller one of the two clutch mates, weighing in at 31g. (still very tiny and favourite character of the two ). I wonder if anyone can tell me whether new shell growth happens at the edge of each scute or more towards the middle? Sam x x __________________ 2 Cockatiels (Bertie and Billie) 1 Pigeon (Benji) 0.0.2 Ibera (Doug and Pebbles)

05-10-2008, 08:34 PM	#4
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	The new growth is between the scutes I think, and pushes up from within. I could be wrong as I am not that technical on these things __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

07-10-2008, 06:57 PM	#5
nina Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oxford Posts: 2,337	What I can see -- if you mean those little wiggly white lines under the surface of the shell -- are keratin stress marks. They do come with a period of faster growth, but they are perfectly normal (I remember Andy Highfield saying that these are often observed in torts in the wild), and they will disappear eventually. And don't worry about the word 'stress' -- it's not as stressful as it sounds <g>. Nina __________________ http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk l

07-10-2008, 08:37 PM	#6
Bertie1974 Member Hatchling Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Willenhall. West Midlands Posts: 505	Thanks Nina and Sandy In other words, tortoise 'stretch marks'. You have put my mind at rest. I will keep an eye on Dougs growth over the coming months and adjust feeding accordingly. Although, both torts weights/lengths are in line with the Jackson's Hatchling ratio, neither are overweight (unlike their mommy) Sam x x __________________ 2 Cockatiels (Bertie and Billie) 1 Pigeon (Benji) 0.0.2 Ibera (Doug and Pebbles) Last edited by Bertie1974; 07-10-2008 at 10:53 PM.

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