Sheldon sprouted chin glands overnight and smells like perfumed soap.

YoungSheldon · Apr 28, 2026

Sheldon sprouted chin glands. Literally overnight. I started doing a little research and came across this article about desert tortoise odors, related to predation, but interesting to me because Sheldon has always smelled somewhat “soapy” to me. I’ve tried to research this odor but no luck, then find this study while looking for chin gland info. It includes a chemical breakdown of their excretions. Some of those chemicals are also used in perfumes and fragrances. Viola! https://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_18/Issue_3/Hall_etal_2023.pdf

Does anyone else’s DT smell sweet, fruity or soapy? Sheldon has smelled this way since he was half dollar size, now 7” long shell. Same strength odor the whole time, I can smell it from more than a foot away. It’s pretty strong at 6” or so.

Yvonne G · Apr 28, 2026

My guess is this is for the benefit of making him more acceptable to a female.

AuroraShire · Apr 28, 2026

That’s really interesting. I read the abstract and conclusion and skimmed the rest, because reading research papers is not my forte…

But makes me wonder if they’ve since discovered why female DTs are at higher risk from Canids.

Chefdenoel10 · Apr 30, 2026

You leave that little booger face alone!
If he wants to smell soapy or girly you just let him do so!

He is too cute to question.
Mind your own beezz wax!!!

Pppfffttt!!!…..

Tom · Apr 30, 2026

I've messed with 100s of DTs from hatchlings to adults over the decades, and I have never noticed that smell. Maybe I'm nose blind?

YoungSheldon · Apr 30, 2026

Chefdenoel10 said:
You leave that little booger face alone!
If he wants to smell soapy or girly you just let him do so!
He is too cute to question.
Mind your own beezz wax!!!

Pppfffttt!!!…..View attachment 400035

Sheldon’s not the only cutie around…

YoungSheldon · Apr 30, 2026

Tom said:
I've messed with 100s of DTs from hatchlings to adults over the decades, and I have never noticed that smell. Maybe I'm nose blind?

First, I’m envious of your DT experiences. I’m a fourth generation CA native and have known scores of people with DT’s. Yet Sheldon is the first hatchling I’ve ever seen.

Second, I’m so disappointed you haven’t smelled this! I thought that both you and Yvonne G would be familiar with it.

Maybe I do have a sensitive nose. Maybe it’s just the coyotes and me that can smell it. I’m sure I have more time being within smelling distance of a DT hatchling than anyone because I’ve spent an insane amount of time holding him.

I got Sheldon when he was about five months old and I think he was on the verge of starving. He was almost too weak to eat. I started feeding him while holding him in my palm, letting him nap there, holding him wrapped in his towel after his soak, etc. 2-3 or more hours every day. It became a routine, and he continued to nest in my hand even after he was eating from his slate. I call him and put my hand palm up in his enclosure, he climbs in my hand. Usually he climbs up, every once in a while he’s not interested. If I’m busy and ignoring him when he thinks it is time to come out, he stands on his hind legs and scratches his enclosure door until I get him. He continues to do this even though he has been feed inside his enclosure for the past year or so, and he’s so big now all four legs hang off my hand.

Long story short, I’ve had this tortoise within a foot of my nose for at least 2000 hours over the last two years.

I’m going to have to get another hatchling to see if that one has an odor or if Sheldon just has overactive scent glands.

And, yes, the last photo is the cover of a book. Sheldon’s hard cover, coffee table size baby book, filled with hundreds of photos of Sheldon. A custom published Christmas gift from my husband. I have somehow become the crazy tortoise lady.

Chefdenoel10 · May 1, 2026

I didn’t think Sheldon could possibly get any cuter.. … then ……
THIS HAPPENED!!!!

Tom · May 1, 2026

YoungSheldon said:
First, I’m envious of your DT experiences. I’m a fourth generation CA native and have known scores of people with DT’s. Yet Sheldon is the first hatchling I’ve ever seen.

Second, I’m so disappointed you haven’t smelled this! I thought that both you and Yvonne G would be familiar with it.

Maybe I do have a sensitive nose. Maybe it’s just the coyotes and me that can smell it. I’m sure I have more time being within smelling distance of a DT hatchling than anyone because I’ve spent an insane amount of time holding him.

I got Sheldon when he was about five months old and I think he was on the verge of starving. He was almost too weak to eat. I started feeding him while holding him in my palm, letting him nap there, holding him wrapped in his towel after his soak, etc. 2-3 or more hours every day. It became a routine, and he continued to nest in my hand even after he was eating from his slate. I call him and put my hand palm up in his enclosure, he climbs in my hand. Usually he climbs up, every once in a while he’s not interested. If I’m busy and ignoring him when he thinks it is time to come out, he stands on his hind legs and scratches his enclosure door until I get him. He continues to do this even though he has been feed inside his enclosure for the past year or so, and he’s so big now all four legs hang off my hand.

Long story short, I’ve had this tortoise within a foot of my nose for at least 2000 hours over the last two years.

I’m going to have to get another hatchling to see if that one has an odor or if Sheldon just has overactive scent glands.

And, yes, the last photo is the cover of a book. Sheldon’s hard cover, coffee table size baby book, filled with hundreds of photos of Sheldon. A custom published Christmas gift from my husband. I have somehow become the crazy tortoise lady.
View attachment 400050 View attachment 400051 View attachment 400055 View attachment 400054

Well I am glad you were able to save him. I don't understand why so many of them aren't cared for correctly. It's not hard. Heat lamp, some food, shallow water dish and some soaks... They aren't sensitive or difficult by any standard. And they are such a wonderful species to keep. I hope you and Sheldon have many happy decades together while you grow old and Sheldon reaches his prime.

YoungSheldon · May 1, 2026

Chefdenoel10 said:
I didn’t think Sheldon could possibly get any cuter.. … then ……
THIS HAPPENED!!!!

I just realized you have a SULCATA in NEW JERSEY!!!!!! EPIC TORTLEKEEPING!!!!! My hat is off to you

, Master of Tortle Husbandry!
And that mid-yawn pic is a fav of mine- looks like a mighty roar. King of the Mohave:

Chefdenoel10 · May 3, 2026

YoungSheldon said:
I just realized you have a SULCATA in NEW JERSEY!!!!!! EPIC TORTLEKEEPING!!!!! My hat is off to you , Master of Tortle Husbandry!
And that mid-yawn pic is a fav of mine- looks like a mighty roar. King of the Mohave:
View attachment 400059

Yea….. a Sulcata in NJ….
Not ideal.
If I had know then what I know now…..
Tom, Yvonne and I have spoken over the years…. Quite a few times…

Just sayin’……

mojo_1 · May 3, 2026

Chefdenoel10 said:
I didn’t think Sheldon could possibly get any cuter.. … then ……
THIS HAPPENED!!!!

Shell yeah he's cute!

Sheldon sprouted chin glands overnight and smells like perfumed soap.

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