Healthy Hatchling Growth

[prc93]

Hey everyone,

Can somebody take a look at my hatchling and tell me if it looks like she(hopefully...) is growing well? I purchased her from a great breeder on here, she is an Ibera Greek.

I keep her on coco coir and try to maintain a humidity level of at least 60%. From what I can tell, this is high enough for the Mediterranean species, I realize some other species need higher humidities.

I've noticed that she is losing her dark coloration as she grows. Also, I sometimes worry the dark parts on her scutes are early signs of pyramiding. Finally, there are some small circles noticeable on her shell, I'm wondering what they are.

Thanks

 

[diamondbp]

Looks fine to me. That's as normal growth as you can expect. Those small circles appear to be dried up water circles. Wet the shell and wipe where the circles are and they should disappear....totally harmless

 

[Tom]

To assess pyramiding, or the lack thereof which seems to be your case, a profile shot is most helpful.

The little circles and squiggly lines are normal. No one seems to know what they are. They are most visible during or after a soak, and they tend to become less visible as the tortoise gains size.

 

[prc93]

Thanks for the responses! I just get nervous sometimes as this is my first hatchling and I know it's a lot easier to screw them up early on.

Tom, I don't have a great profile shot right now, but I think this one should work. I can take another one if needed.

Thanks again!

 

[Tom]

Looks smooth from what I can see in the two photos.

 

[WillTort2]

Is that coco coir in the 2nd picture?

 

[AnnV]

Re: RE: Healthy Hatchling Growth

Is that coco coir in the 2nd picture?

I was wondering about that too. I never saw any like that. I have only seen the finely ground stuff.

Beautiful little tort, btw.