Doris has weird specks?

MaddieLynn

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I recently noticed that Doris has these weird light specks on her shell. She’s still eating fine and I just soaked her and she pooped. They aren’t raised and they don’t come off when she gets wet. Temp sits around 82 and humidity 85-95%. She eats various greens, veggies, and mazuri. I have no idea what the specks are? Do I need to be worried?

562428F6-5AC3-49D3-B35E-3BF0E0793757.jpeg 74A56E6E-4961-4524-97FC-AD45E7FE22EB.jpeg
 

Anyfoot

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I recently noticed that Doris has these weird light specks on her shell. She’s still eating fine and I just soaked her and she pooped. They aren’t raised and they don’t come off when she gets wet. Temp sits around 82 and humidity 85-95%. She eats various greens, veggies, and mazuri. I have no idea what the specks are? Do I need to be worried?
They look like membrane from when she was in the egg starting to come off the carapace as she grows to me. If so it’s nothing to worry about.
@Tom @Markw84 Have you seen this before?
 

JoesMum

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They look like membrane from when she was in the egg starting to come off the carapace as she grows to me. If so it’s nothing to worry about.
@Tom @Markw84 Have you seen this before?
If that's the case, gentle scrubbing with a toothbrush should shift them ... or move them around.

That said, egg sticks to pans like concrete so it might not budge that easily :D
 

Anyfoot

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If that's the case, gentle scrubbing with a toothbrush should shift them ... or move them around.

That said, egg sticks to pans like concrete so it might not budge that easily :D
I’ve had it with 2 babies in the bast. But with mine it was bigger pieces, and I couldn’t scrub it off. Even a 2yrs old they still got them.
 

MaddieLynn

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She didn’t have this when I got her though. Can it still be that if it’s new?

They look like membrane from when she was in the egg starting to come off the carapace as she grows to me. If so it’s nothing to worry about.
@Tom @Markw84 Have you seen this before?
 

Anyfoot

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She didn’t have this when I got her though. Can it still be that if it’s new?
Which marks are you talking about, all those tiny white bits that makes your tort look like it’s got dandruff?
Can you take a few more photos please.
 

MaddieLynn

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Yes, the bits that look like dandruff. This is from when I first got her. It’s only been a couple of weeks.

Which marks are you talking about, all those tiny white bits that makes your tort look like it’s got dandruff?
Can you take a few more photos please.

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Anyfoot

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Yes, the bits that look like dandruff. This is from when I first got her. It’s only been a couple of weeks.
I think it’s got membrane from the egg stuck to the areola, probably through low humidity in incubation or air getting in the egg.
As it’s growing and you keeping it humid the dry membrane is becoming wet and gradually peeling away I THINK. If I’m right it’s nothing to worry about.
 

Kapidolo Farms

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Just like in out fingernails. My guess the keratin does not always lay down in perfect layers/edges. I sometimes get funny 'spots in my fingernails, but as I rotate my fingers and light hits it differently the spots get more prominent, or go away. I thinks it's just a air spot in the layers.
 

MaddieLynn

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Which marks are you talking about, all those tiny white bits that makes your tort look like it’s got dandruff?
Can you take a few more photos please.

Here are a couple more pics I took tonight.

E75A6951-E655-4685-9A6C-CA9A05945C95.jpeg 262C0B9D-4BDD-44E7-968D-0548C56F7E88.jpeg
 

drew54

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If you run your finger over her shell does it come off, move, or anything?
 

Toddrickfl1

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That almost looks like some kind of mold. Have you tried using a toothbrush to scrub it off?
 

Anyfoot

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What happens if you lightly scrub with a tooth brush?
Mine will not come off. The egg membrane has stained the carapace. I have scrubbed very hard and it doesn’t come off.
Also you couldn’t see it when very young.
I think in my case there was tiny pieces of egg membrane on the carapace. Eventually they dry and peel off, which leaves these discoloured stains. Notice how on mine there are no stains on any new growth.
 

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