I was completely new to reptiles, much less tortoises a year ago when I bought our 2 hatchlings for my Daughter. She's only 11 so I ofcourse stay very involved in caring for them. When my cherry started marbling I was worried. I didn't know to expect it so had no idea the color of his shell would change. When his growth lines first started getting light he was not even 2 months old, I thought my elnclosure was too humid and he was getting some sort of fungal growth between hus scute! It took me a while to figure it out but boy, was I worried!!!! you should have seen me trying to "wash that off". Hahaha!