Black Spot on Mouth

[HopperNoHopping]

Hey everyone! So I’ve been a lurker on this forum for a long time, but recently I’ve had a bit of a conundrum and I’m not exactly sure whether I should go to the vet (and pay a lot of money for very possibly nothing), so I came here to ask you guys what I should do.
Basically, I recently noticed a black patch on the mouth of my Florida Box Turtle. The problem is, I don’t know whether that’s normal or not, because my dad has been taking care of her for a while since I’ve been busy with school. However, I’m pretty sure the spot wasn’t there before when I last did a thorough inspection of her a few weeks ago.
Is this a problem? Should I do anything about it?

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

It looks like a small amount of food. See what happens after a soak.

 

[HopperNoHopping]

It looks like a small amount of food. See what happens after a soak.

That was the first thing I thought about, but this picture is right after a 15 minute-ish soak in warm water.

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

Maybe you could bring attention to exactly the black spot you are talking about, all I see is food particles stuck to the beak.

 

[HopperNoHopping]

Maybe you could bring attention to exactly the black spot you are talking about, all I see is food particles stuck to the beak.

Yes, I think we're talking about the same thing. You think the black patch on the beak is just food particles, correct?

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

Yeah, it could be plant stain. Sometimes the beaks on some tortoises look like they have been to some sort of 'goth' party. Keep a watch and see if it changes over a few days. Maybe a somewhat longer soak. If you are still worried and don't want to wait few days, you could try using a q-tip and rub that place and see it anything dislodges or changes.

 

[Yvonne G]

Looks like food to me too, but remember, we're looking at a picture while you're seeing it in real time. I'm a great fan of picking. I'd pick at it and see if it comes off.

 

[drew54]

My hatchlings beak had black stains around its mouth for a week and then it finally went away after regular soaks and a proper diet.