Is Matteo Smooth? Is He too Big too Soon?

Quixx66

Active Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2018
Messages
377
Location (City and/or State)
Louisiana
Hi,
Matteo is seven months old now. He’s a Western Hermann’s. He’s my first so I’m unsure if his growth is healthy. Is his shell smooth? What is the ridge just behind his neck?

I asked on the Facebook page if he’s growing too fast and got accused of fat-shaming him! ? If anything, I’d be the one ashamed if he’s too big too soon and unhealthy. I don’t feed him anywhere near that much anymore, but he only eats a bit of his shell-sized serving anyway. ,

Anybody have any suggestions? Thanks. Sorry for duplicate pics! 1B4C5894-C868-42C6-B338-AA3F53059954.jpeg1B4C5894-C868-42C6-B338-AA3F53059954.jpeg535B8976-73AE-4F3E-B2DC-7AE68082EE03.jpegA39A88FA-B6D6-4FDF-AFD3-F202022BC8BC.jpegimage.jpg1B4C5894-C868-42C6-B338-AA3F53059954.jpeg1B4C5894-C868-42C6-B338-AA3F53059954.jpegimage.jpgimage.jpg1B4C5894-C868-42C6-B338-AA3F53059954.jpeg535B8976-73AE-4F3E-B2DC-7AE68082EE03.jpeg
 
Last edited:

PA2019

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2017
Messages
412
Location (City and/or State)
Tucson, AZ
What locale of western? Different locales have different sizes and that can change how you view the growth of a tortoise, such as a Mount Etna western vs a French Var western.
 

Quixx66

Active Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2018
Messages
377
Location (City and/or State)
Louisiana
What locale of western? Different locales have different sizes and that can change how you view the growth of a tortoise, such as a Mount Etna western vs a French Var western.
He’s a Mt. Etna, supposed to be tiny, like 3-4” max.
 

zovick

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 17, 2013
Messages
3,386
He’s a Mt. Etna, supposed to be tiny, like 3-4” max.
So far, the tortoise looks fine to me. I am not sure what you mean by the "ridge" behind his neck. The shell doesn't appear to look abnormal in any way to me.
 

Quixx66

Active Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2018
Messages
377
Location (City and/or State)
Louisiana
So far, the tortoise looks fine to me. I am not sure what you mean by the "ridge" behind his neck. The shell doesn't appear to look abnormal in any way to me.
Thank goodness! By ridge, I meant a bit like a keel line on his back near the front. It’s hard to see on the photos, and not prominent in real life.

Thanks so much for the reassurance. I’m new, and constantly afraid I’m hurting him.
 

zovick

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 17, 2013
Messages
3,386
Thank goodness! By ridge, I meant a bit like a keel line on his back near the front. It’s hard to see on the photos, and not prominent in real life.

Thanks so much for the reassurance. I’m new, and constantly afraid I’m hurting him.
OK, I think you are referring to the slightly raised area going from the front to the back in the center of the area behind the head. That is just the outline of the spine which is part of the boney shell underneath the scutes.
 

Quixx66

Active Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2018
Messages
377
Location (City and/or State)
Louisiana
OK, I think you are referring to the slightly raised area going from the front to the back in the center of the area behind the head. That is just the outline of the spine which is part of the boney shell underneath the scutes.
That’s a relief! Thanks so much.
 

New Posts

Top