My daughter got Sid as a Birhtday gift. Now his shell is turning white...whats up with that? I called the vet and he said its probably a fungal infection and too gently scrub his shell with a toothbrush and put athlete's foot cream on it. Tell me what you think. Is the vet right or do I need to bring him in?

He's eating, drinking, and doing all of his business as usual.[attachment=539]

Hey no, dude, don't listen to that vet! He doesn't know a thing! That is normal coloring that happens to some Red-Foots, especially Cherryheads, I beleive! I'm sure Terry can post you many pics of this on RF's he's dealt with! It's not fungal or anything, just part of that tortoise's normal shell growth and coloring. Some people especially look for RF's with this on them! You got lucky, IMHO!!! Gorgeous looking sweetie!

I'm not an expert, but I've been reading up on torts for the past couple weeks and have seen lots of photos Hah, for what that is worth, I guess.

I believe that is just some coloration. As tortoises become more mature, they're color patterns may change slightly. I suspect this "white" or lightened area is just a stage of maturing. I think it looks awesome, myself.

That looks like growth sign to me too. My leopard tort is showing the same thing

I'll be posting pics, etc. soon

loved the "warning". lol

i agree it looks like growth

Hope this doesn't "wear-anybody-out" with pics - here goes -

"Southern" redfoot tortoises.. AKA "Brazilians" & "Cherryheads" have basic characteristics [ yikes.. how many sillybulls is that ? ]

1) Red on head.. 2) Big cherry nose.. 3) Dark marbled plastron [ belly ]

Sometimes.. not very often.. they have a "marbled" carapace [ top shell ].. and Kelly is right - this is very desirable among "Cherryhead" lovers!

So Sid is not a common redfoot. [ be sure to read thru the redfoots.com site in my signature.. for Housing and especially address the Diet for yearlings ]

Being a breeder of redfoots.. so I've heard.. I'll be starting a "Marbled" Cherryhead breeding program this year. These are 2 that will be a part.

This is a MALE Feb. '05 hatchling.. at 18 months.. starting to show "marbling"..





At 2 years..





And plastron at 3 years..



Last summer a friend of mine found this 3 yr. old FEMALE for me.. a real beauty..





And her plastron..



There is a 'proven' pair [ has produced babies ] and another March '05 Female in the group also.

Sooooooo it IS growth.. but NOT common.. Sid will most likely get worse.. .. a GOOD thing!

What is Sid's length? measure like so.. [ 3 1/4" shown ]..

This post was last modified: 03-20-2008 07:53 PM by Redfoot NERD.

I, for one, could never get tired of looking at pictures!!! I love to see turtles and tortoises!! And redfoots are some of my favorites though I have never had one. I have thought alot about getting one for sure!! These pictures are great! And oh my what lovely tortoises you have!!!!!!!! Very impressive!

what an interesting variation! i wonder what causes it... terry, those photos are great!