Is my Spuddy’s shell “too dark”??

Mamaspud

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https://ibb.co/194PCtz
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Here are the 2 hatchling-to-first year photos I made the mistake of posting on Reddit. Most people were awesome but one guy insisted the second picture was another kind of tortoise? like I was trying to trick him or something. His color is ok yeah? His shell is very smooth although the dark growth lines are higher than the center. I hope I’m not doing anything wrong, I adore him and I’d do anything for him! Thanks in advance for reassurance and/or suggestions. He’s seen a HERP vet in the last 6 months who said he was “a fine looking guy”❤️
 

Yvonne G

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You're doing a good job with him. He does have some reverse pyramiding, but I don't know what causes that in Sulcatas. Let's ask @Markw84
 

Markw84

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Your sulcata looks really great. Congratulations on providing great conditions for your tortoise. The dark color is completely normal for new growth, especially in an indoors, enclosed chamber. Some are darker than others, but there is always a much darker new growth that takes about 2-3 years to fade to match the overall color your sulcata we be overall - which is close to the color of the centers of the scutes.

I see little reverse pyramiding. With your tortoise is looks more like good keratin growth in nice, humid conditions. Since there is no real pyramiding at all, we see the swelling of the new keratin at the very seams that evens out quickly as the keratin "cures" and ages a bit.
 
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