Hereditary, or...?

[pzowt]

I have a small little question.
Can the russian tortoise owner have an effect on how brown or yellow the tortoise will be?
I've always liked the dark coloured shell of juvenile sulcata tortoises, and my current baby russian tortoise has a somewhat darker shell...but I was wondering if there was any way I could keep the shell darker.
I was just thinking that if controlling the temperature during a tortoise's egg days can effect it's gender, then is there a way to control it's shell colour??

...or am I crazy to question God and his genetic code? lol

 

[ascott]

hmmm....I bet there is some type of mojo that happens with tortoise when they breed that is influenced by the line the tortoise comes from ( color of shell, eyes, hair and so on) just as people and all other critters...however, I don't know if you can "do anything" at this point, well, because he is what he is so to speak

Just my opinion is all (I also believe all good comes from God so I would suspect your tortoise is beautiful just the way he was made )

 

[Yvonne G]

It might be a bit of genetics involved, but I think being in the sun has more to do with it. The new growth on tortoises kept in the house and never getting any real sunshine tends to be lighter in color.

 

[arby2774]

My new sulcata is very light with dark brown in the center of the scutes. He eats well and acts healthy and is negative for worms. He seems lighter than others that I have seen but it doesn't seem to affect his health. I don't know why he would be so light, though.