Cherry Close .......

[N2TORTS]

:shy:

 

[mike taylor]

They are some beautiful red heads .

 

[bouaboua]

Beautiful Cherries.

 

[N2TORTS]

They are some beautiful red heads .

Mike ... Here is "OSCAR" my Alpha Male ... he is a very BIG cherryhead ....with an outstanding mix of colors on his head....


and a few of the Gals......
[/URL]
[URL=http://s755.photobucket.com/user/N2TORTS/media/Cherry%20Heads/CC9-1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx194/N2TORTS/Cherry%20Heads/CC9-1.jpg







" yea baby'...

 

[jvaldes55]

Your cherry heads are beautiful. The ones that seem to have high whites on their shells are especially interesting. What causes this? Is it a genetic trait? Would love for you to clarify this for me. Thanks!

 

[N2TORTS]

Your cherry heads are beautiful. The ones that seem to have high whites on their shells are especially interesting. What causes this? Is it a genetic trait? Would love for you to clarify this for me. Thanks!

A tortoise’s shell is made up of ‘”Osteoderms” which are fused plates of bone the give the initial shell shape and rigidity. The visible layer or outer shell is made up of sectional “Scutes” which are made out of Keratin much like our finger nails. Within this Keratin are cells called Melanocytes, these cells are responsible for synthesizing pigment, thus providing a tortoise’s shell markings and coloring. Most likely an inheritable trait, but you could compare it to freckles on a human. Not any two people have the exact same layout in freckle placement or count. Although same Kin of family members and gene codes passed on will generally show in that family’s history. A perfect example of “selective breeding “for traits in breeding anything . Also a natural/evolutionary occurring event in mother nature.
Hope this helped out some ……I’m sure others can add more …….:shy:

 

[jvaldes55]

Your cherry heads are beautiful. The ones that seem to have high whites on their shells are especially interesting. What causes this? Is it a genetic trait? Would love for you to clarify this for me. Thanks!

A tortoise’s shell is made up of ‘”Osteoderms” which are fused plates of bone the give the initial shell shape and rigidity. The visible layer or outer shell is made up of sectional “Scutes” which are made out of Keratin much like our finger nails. Within this Keratin are cells called Melanocytes, these cells are responsible for synthesizing pigment, thus providing a tortoise’s shell markings and coloring. Most likely an inheritable trait, but you could compare it to freckles on a human. Not any two people have the exact same layout in freckle placement or count. Although same Kin of family members and gene codes passed on will generally show in that family’s history. A perfect example of “selective breeding “for traits in breeding anything . Also a natural/evolutionary occurring event in mother nature.
Hope this helped out some ……I’m sure others can add more …….:shy:

Have you had many or any hatchlings with similar traits though? I just find that trait to be so beautiful and interesting.

 

[N2TORTS]

yes .......the marbling actually becomes more "pronounced" as the tortoise matures.




Here is my Alpha Male just for size ......

 

[TortieLuver]

Very nice always enjoy the nice eating pictures at the cove

 

[pam]

Beautiful pictures

 

[diamondbp]

how soon do you usually recognize marbling in the redfoots? can you tell as a hatchling or it takes a few years?

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oh and btw your group is top notch

 

[N2TORTS]

how soon do you usually recognize marbling in the redfoots? can you tell as a hatchling or it takes a few years?

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oh and btw your group is top notch

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It can start to show at an early age , although like most torts...there is also the "lighter/whiter" signs of new growth. I might mention with my adults who are kept outside ....the marbling does not looked so pronounced due to the dirt/dust build up that acquires on their shell. I nice warm "soft scrub" will once again revel the markings.
BTW Thanks for the Kuddo's~

 

[zenoandthetortoise]

Great pics JD. Thanks for sharing. Out of curiosity, how old/big is your alpha male? Mines little yet, but I am trying to project approximate growth rate for enclosure planning. Any details appreciated

 

[N2TORTS]

Great pics JD. Thanks for sharing. Out of curiosity, how old/big is your alpha male? Mines little yet, but I am trying to project approximate growth rate for enclosure planning. Any details appreciated

Well " Oscar" is not your normal size cherry ...he is an exceptional big guy , but for the most part you can figure your Brazilian adults more common around the 10" mark and approx. 8-10 lbs. I'm sure folks have other size ranges in their own herds. I know one other forum member who has a large cherry as well. The neat thing for myself is I have an exceptional large female to boot. aka " Queen Elizabeth" ...

For door sizing aka "tort door" 12-16" in height would be fine and 8-10" width. For tort indoor nesting box substrate 14-18" in depth.