Circles / pattern on plastron

[thetortoiselady]

I noticed these little patterns or circles on the plastron of my star. Anyone have any idea what it is? Or if it’s normal?

 

[zovick]

View attachment 382705I noticed these little patterns or circles on the plastron of my star. Anyone have any idea what it is? Or if it’s normal?

It is normal. No one really seems to know why the tortoises have them, but many tortoises have these little white circular patterns under the scutes. I think they may be some type of canals (similar to Haversian canals and canaliculae in humans) to nourish growing bone.

 

[Yvonne G]

It is normal. No one really seems to know why the tortoises have them, but many tortoises have these little white circular patterns under the scutes. I think they may be some type of canals (similar to Haversian canals and canaliculae in humans) to nourish growing bone.

Bill: I was told long, long ago that it was calcium circulating through baby tortoises's shells. I never repeat this because I don't know if it's true. I like your explanation. And it 'sort of' ties into mine.

 

[turtlesteve]

I too have seen this before and it seems to come and go in young tortoises. I have never seen it cause a problem in a tortoise.

My personal hypothesis is that it’s an organism, perhaps fungal, that is growing in between layers of shell keratin. If you monitor the spots they expand into rings etc. and then go away.

I wish I had photos, but it looks identical to fungal shell infections that I used to see in map turtles, but in that case, the condition would worsen if left untreated.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

My Russian got these when I started soaking him daily, a lot of people reporting these rings also report to soaking their tortoise the recommended amount or more. So that might be one thing that is connected. They go away after a while and to me seem harmless.

 

[wellington]

What ever causes them, they are very common and nothing to worry about

 

[thetortoiselady]

Thank you guys so much!!!!!