Split/Extra Scutes

N2TORTS

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Would like to hear your experience/opinions from multi clutch hatches. Purely from incubation temps or does genetics play a role? What has been your experience?
 

Yvonne G

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I've only had one splitty. He/she hatched out among 7 other normal-looking carapaces (leopard). I didn't pay attention to where that particular egg was positioned in with the others, or if it was closest to the heating element. I've had numerous hatches from this pairing and this was my first splitty.
 

Turtlepete

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My fridge incubator has very even heat throughout its whole, so all eggs should be subjected to very similar temperatures, and any variations. I get a few splittys every year, with temperatures typically varying from 84-88 throughout the incubation period. I would note that those that have hatched outdoors in the summer (likely subjected to much higher temperatures, commonly in the low-90s air temp) more commonly have split-scutes, so perhaps this supports the hypothesis that it is a temperature-dependent phenomenon.

It has happened from all of my females roughly equally. I have a split-scute female nearing adulthood that I hope to be producing f2's from next season. Will be curious to see her offspring.
 

allegraf

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I had about 4 split scutes one year from different mothers. Then I realized that my toddler was messing with the incubator and the temps were up to 89F for about a week or so. Since then, I have had only one split scute with incubation temps at 83-84F.
 

tortadise

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I waiver towards temperature. Especially since almost every species incubated here isn't done so in an incubator anymore(well a few species are) the split scute torts I've noticed over the years from transitioning to ambient from constant incubation temps have drastically increased. Especially the leopards. Out of 61 Leo's that hatched I'd say a good 14-15 were split scute. Same with the Manouria last year. Out of the 17 that hatched only 2 were split scute. They came out first and were at the top of the buried nest. The Redfoots whether least in ground in the greenhouse or put in the egg pot tend to have 1out of 4 split scute or extra scute. I think and this is purely speculation. It happens during the major development of the tortoise in the egg. It could have to do with cooler temps creating broader scutes and warmer temps creating smaller scutes. I'd imagine when the scutes begin to develop and get outlined then temperature must be just so right to create the perfect square or rectangle of the scute. But if temps are just a tad cool it will develop slower and longer and then stop creating a larger scute and not know when to stop or divide. Same thing on the photo warm scale quicker development creates. But I don't know just just a guess and a ramble. It's quite interesting to me for sure, especially seeing many opened eggs with different stage developed tortoises.
 

Yvonne G

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This latest batch of leopard eggs that hatched (a couple weeks ago), the first one to hatch had an extra coastal scute on one side. None of the others that hatched had splits or extras.
 

ALDABRAMAN

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~ We have been hatching out the aldabra species for many years and less than one percent we produce have any split, extra, divided or double scutes. We have tried many incubation methods with a few variations and found that a consistent steady safe temperature with full term incubation produce the heaviest and healthiest hatchlings. I have heard many opinions and theories as to what causes this, my overall thoughts is it is influenced by temperatures during the incubation process.

~ One of the most recent interesting opinions i have heard was that this was influenced during a certain early phase of development within a small window when a higher temperature was present!

IMG_1468 2.JPG
 
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Tidgy's Dad

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~ We have been hatching out the aldabra species for many years and less than one percent we produce have any split, extra, divided or double scutes. We have tried many incubation methods with a few variations and found that a consistent steady safe temperature with full term incubation produce the heaviest and healthiest hatchlings. I have heard many opinions and theories as to what causes this, my overall thoughts is it is influenced by temperatures during the incubation process.

~ One of the most interesting opinions i have heard was that this was influenced during a certain early phase of development within a small window when a higher temperature is present!

View attachment 152062
Wow!!!!
I mean double wow!!!!
What an incredible photograph.
 

Yvonne G

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The batch of YF tortoises that hatched a couple weeks ago contained two babies with an extra coastal scute each; one on the left side and the other baby had it on the right side.

My incubators are in the house and I cool the house with an evaporative cooler that blows cool air constantly while it's on. So I doubt the house air fluctuates very much. The incubators cycle on and off in order to maintain a steady temperature. I have Little Giant and Zoo Med incubators.

I have no idea why some of my babies develop split or extra scutes and some in the same area of the incubator don't.
 

ALDABRAMAN

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I had about 4 split scutes one year from different mothers. Then I realized that my toddler was messing with the incubator and the temps were up to 89F for about a week or so. Since then, I have had only one split scute with incubation temps at 83-84F.

~ Interesting!
 

TerrapinStation

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ALDABRAMAN, those are some incredible looking Torts! I think giants are the most fascinating animals, I just cannot get enough of them. Going to Galapagos and hanging out with some of those guys is a dream of mine. Thanks!
 

Tom

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I incubate everything at 89. I went years with no split scutes. One year we had an early unexpected heat wave and temps in my reptile room where my incubators were climbed into the mid 90s. I had three split scutes in one clutch. Jacqui has them now. All other clutches in the room were fine. Never had anymore split scutes after that to this day. I've heard it is a genetic thing sometimes, but I've personally not seen any evidence of that theory at my place.
 

Yvonne G

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There are those of us (like you) who really, really like the splitties. But some folks prefer their tortoises' shells to be perfect. In fact, usually the splits and extras cost less to buy.
 

AnimalLady

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Really? Thanks for the info Yvonne, i love them and my next tort (YIKES!) will have split scutes! ;)
 

Tom

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Are split scutes not good? I like them, i like them a lot actually...

It is usually viewed as an "imperfection".

Some people, especially Jacqui, sees split scutes as beautiful and unique.

It is really a cosmetic thing, and unless high incubation temperatures produced some sort of unseen internal malformation, it should have no effect on their health.
 

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