Indented shell

sbwalker5

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Hi all, just a quick question about my 9 month old marginated, Douglas.

When we first got him (I've assigned him as a male for now!) he had a rather flat shell, and it now seems he wasn't properly hydrated prior to us getting him from the reptile 'specialist'.

DSC_8038.jpg



3 months on, and after giving him daily warm water soaks, attempting to give a fairly humid environment, and proper diet, his shell has now filled out (he has more than doubled in weght!), and he looks a lot healthier to me...

DSC_2442.jpg

The more recent growth looks smoother now, correct me if I am wrong?
However, if you can see the top two or 3 scutes of his shell are slightly indented in the middle...
Is this cause for concern, and does anybody know why this may be?

Thanks
 

Yvonne G

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I see what you're talking about, and no, its not 'normal,' but I don't think you have anything to worry about. Can you remember if there was anything like that way back when he was smaller? How far from the floor of the habitat is the heat source?
 

sbwalker5

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Jan 26, 2014
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Sheffield, UK
It's about 8 inches above his basking spot at the minute. This gives a surface temp of around 95.

I think it was always a bit like that, but as his shell was generally a bit flatter, it wasn't as pronounced..
 

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