Newbie Momma Here

prettyinink66

New Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
20
Location (City and/or State)
Siloam Springs, AR
Hello fellow tortoise lovers! I am a newcomer, and seemed to have accidentally missed this introduction part, so here it is. My name is Shauna, and I live in Northwest Arkansas. No, I am not a hillbilly... haha! I am a mother of fur babies, cold-blooded babies, and two human boys.[emoji38]

I have loved animals of every sort since I can remember, and desired so many as pets someday. I saw my first Sulcata at the OKC zoo, and just fell in love. I instantly knew I just *had* to have one someday. Now many, many years later my dream came true! I brought home two hatchlings four days ago, and am so in love! They are approximately 3 weeks old, give or take a few days. I’ll attach a picture so y’all can see them. The smaller one with the odd, larger scute is Koopa, and the bigger one is Porkchop. I have already posted two threads (I believe that’s what you call them on here), and have had so much great knowledge and information fed to me. I couldn’t be more thankful! I have already made a lot of errors, but I’m blessed that I was able to figure them out very early on to prevent any problems in the future.

*Neat facts about me, I’ve had all kinds of neat animals as “pets”. My family and I bred and raised raccoons for about 10 years. I have had two white-tail deer, opossums, a skunk (she just passed away Christmas Eve[emoji174]), peacocks, pheasants, wild turkeys, various amounts of water fowl and chickens, geese, emus, goats, a grey fox, parrots, rabbits, fish, snakes of all kinds (currently have a normal and spider ball python), frogs, toads, lizards, turtles, box turtles, dogs and cats. I moved here from Colorado when I was 7, and now live on seven acres. I have plenty of room for my Sulcatas once they grow bigger!

I’m looking forward to “meeting” everyone, and learning so much more!
IMG_2052.jpg
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,390
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Hi, and welcome! My special interest is in the tortoises with aberrant scutes, so I really like the one on the right in the picture.
 

prettyinink66

New Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
20
Location (City and/or State)
Siloam Springs, AR
Hi, and welcome! My special interest is in the tortoises with aberrant scutes, so I really like the one on the right in the picture.

Are they just rare? He (I’m calling them both as males until I can sex them down the road) was the only one out of about 20, and I had the first pick. I thought it was neat and unusual. Plus it’d be easier for me to tell them apart! Any health related problems, or anything special? Is there a possibility of pyramiding being worse?
 

prettyinink66

New Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
20
Location (City and/or State)
Siloam Springs, AR
Welcome....sounds like you have good street creds as for being a critter lover.

I think it helps that I love animals way more than most people... haha! Ive just always gravitated more towards reptiles. Turtles and tortoises in particular. They have a very special part of my heart. One of the best childhood memories was when I got 4 baby red-eared sliders, after years of begging my parents. I enjoyed them to the fullest!
 

Cowboy_Ken

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 18, 2011
Messages
17,560
Location (City and/or State)
Suburban-life in Salem, Oregon
Are they just rare?
Not so much rare just no as common. I, I too have one with so many extra and split scutes that it almost looks like a zipper!

The only one out of about 20, and I had the first pick.
I had that same first pick and chose for the same reasons.

He (I’m calling them both as males until I can sex them down the road)
Mine is a couple months over a year. Way to early to do anything but guess on the sex, but I call mine she her.

Any health related problems, or anything special?
No special health issues that any other tortoise wouldn’t have.

Is there a possibility of pyramiding being worse?
Nope. Since knowing that pyramiding is a condition mainly brought on by not being raised in a moist environment other factors are being ruled out. Although there are whispers that it may have some genetic underpinnings. For proving that out, we’d need a pile of clean cash. Do y’all have a pile for philanthropy?LOL
 

Cowboy_Ken

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 18, 2011
Messages
17,560
Location (City and/or State)
Suburban-life in Salem, Oregon
Here is an edited and revised posting of the one above.
Howdy prettyinink66,
Cowboy Ken here. I’ll do my best to answer the questions y’all’s put up. I may have taken some liberties with your post. Ohh look! Pictures of a baby.

Are they just rare?
Not so much rare just not as common. I too have one with so many extra and split scutes that it almost looks like a zipper!
View attachment 233377
The only one out of about 20, and I had the first pick.
I had that same first pick and chose for the same reasons.
View attachment 233378
He (I’m calling them both as males until I can sex them down the road)
Mine is a couple months over a year. Way to early to do anything but guess on the sex, but I call mine she her.

Any health related problems, or anything special?
No special health issues that any other tortoise wouldn’t have.

Is there a possibility of pyramiding being worse?
Nope. Since knowing that pyramiding is a condition mainly brought on by not being raised in a moist environment other factors are being ruled out. Although there are whispers that it may have some genetic underpinnings. For proving that out, we’d need a pile of clean cash. Do y’all have a pile for philanthropy?LOL
We’ve got a thread here all about split scutes or multiple scutes. It’s mainly for us to show off our tortoises, I mean a photo album of everyone’s multiples.
[/QUOTE]
 
N

no one

Guest
Cute Torts!! I too love the extra scutes. My first Elongata has a nice pattern on the back of his shell. And the second has a smile on his back.

I was told it could have something to do with higher incubation temperature.
 

Cowboy_Ken

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 18, 2011
Messages
17,560
Location (City and/or State)
Suburban-life in Salem, Oregon
I was told it could have something to do with higher incubation temperature.
I’ve been exposed to this same line of thinking and I like it. To me here’s my thinking on all of that, we all know of the higher incubation temps produce a higher percentage of females, so my thinking is if the majority of split or multiples are female dictated by heat and we only get a few normal then it’s starting to prove out.
 
N

no one

Guest
I’ve been exposed to this same line of thinking and I like it. To me here’s my thinking on all of that, we all know of the higher incubation temps produce a higher percentage of females, so my thinking is if the majority of split or multiples are female dictated by heat and we only get a few normal then it’s starting to prove out.

Yes, if we keep record of it. We will know in time, won't we...
 

Cowboy_Ken

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 18, 2011
Messages
17,560
Location (City and/or State)
Suburban-life in Salem, Oregon
Yes, if we keep record of it. We will know in time, won't we...

In an earlier post tonight I mentioned what “we” need is a nice pile of clean money,lots of it for good, solid research. And with all the sulcata babies we’ll be swamped with? Maybe setup a repartition plant.
 
N

no one

Guest
Hmhmm... I wouldn't mind researching Tortoises.

Sorry for going of topic Shauna.
 

prettyinink66

New Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
20
Location (City and/or State)
Siloam Springs, AR
No worries!!! I am enjoying it =)

Thank you for letting me know your thoughts on it, and sharing your pics. That’s definitely pretty interesting!!! I’ll let y’all know if I ever win the lottery.
 

Gattu N'Coco

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2017
Messages
80
Location (City and/or State)
india
Hello fellow tortoise lovers! I am a newcomer, and seemed to have accidentally missed this introduction part, so here it is. My name is Shauna, and I live in Northwest Arkansas. No, I am not a hillbilly... haha! I am a mother of fur babies, cold-blooded babies, and two human boys.[emoji38]

I have loved animals of every sort since I can remember, and desired so many as pets someday. I saw my first Sulcata at the OKC zoo, and just fell in love. I instantly knew I just *had* to have one someday. Now many, many years later my dream came true! I brought home two hatchlings four days ago, and am so in love! They are approximately 3 weeks old, give or take a few days. I’ll attach a picture so y’all can see them. The smaller one with the odd, larger scute is Koopa, and the bigger one is Porkchop. I have already posted two threads (I believe that’s what you call them on here), and have had so much great knowledge and information fed to me. I couldn’t be more thankful! I have already made a lot of errors, but I’m blessed that I was able to figure them out very early on to prevent any problems in the future.

*Neat facts about me, I’ve had all kinds of neat animals as “pets”. My family and I bred and raised raccoons for about 10 years. I have had two white-tail deer, opossums, a skunk (she just passed away Christmas Eve[emoji174]), peacocks, pheasants, wild turkeys, various amounts of water fowl and chickens, geese, emus, goats, a grey fox, parrots, rabbits, fish, snakes of all kinds (currently have a normal and spider ball python), frogs, toads, lizards, turtles, box turtles, dogs and cats. I moved here from Colorado when I was 7, and now live on seven acres. I have plenty of room for my Sulcatas once they grow bigger!

I’m looking forward to “meeting” everyone, and learning so much more!
View attachment 233334
As far as he is not showing any alarming signs I guess he is fine. I don't think this is the case of pyramiding since his shell seems nice and round. Whenever I go to my vet she always says it must be round and hard. Shouldn't be squishy. if his shell is hard and he is not lethargic and down he should be fine. He's very cute and special I believe. Look out for his diet and temperatures that's all for now.

Sent from my XT1562 using Tortoise Forum mobile app
 

Greta16

Active Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2017
Messages
378
Location (City and/or State)
Western Maine
Wow! You must spend your whole day feeding them. I have 3 cats, a pig, a tort, and a beardie and a good chunk of my day is devoted to them! Good luck, I admire you.
 
Top