I would like to know what people use to safely mark their tortoise shells, specifically for hatchings. Would like a easier way to keep track of the babies.
Thank you Tom. Do you have a specific brand name that you use, or just look for children nail polish.I also use nail polish. I have a batch of several colors that is marketed for children and is supposed to be non-toxic. I use a tiny dot right in the middle of a scute and I'm very careful not to get any on the scute margins.
Wow, that is long lasting polish!When Sheldon was purchased 3 years ago he was marked by the breeder with a blue nail polish that also had glitter in it. Fast forward three years till now, the nail polish is still on his shell. I've tried scrubbing it once or twice a week with a toothbrush while he is in his soak. I was wondering if it would be safe to use a small amount of nail polish remover on a Q-tip or something to remove it. Here is his baby picture with the blue dot, and here is a picture from today. It has faded quite a bit.View attachment 237095View attachment 237096
Lol, I know. It wasn't really painted on, it was almost kind of like a big glob. With me out of the picture for the last two-and-a-half years, I don't think they tried taking it off. Then I think it was probably baked on by his mercury vapor bulb. It really has faded quite a bit. If I was a tortoise breeder, that's probably what I would use as well to tell them apart. I think this breeder used some industrial-strength stuff LOL.Wow, that is long lasting polish!
Wow that's crazy that it's still there!Lol, I know. It wasn't really painted on, it was almost kind of like a big glob. With me out of the picture for the last two-and-a-half years, I don't think they tried taking it off. Then I think it was probably baked on by his mercury vapor bulb. It really has faded quite a bit. If I was a tortoise breeder, that's probably what I would use as well to tell them apart. I think this breeder used some industrial-strength stuff LOL.
I found this information which I thought was pretty clever, durable, and from a reliable source. https://tortoisegroup.org/marking-your-tortoise/
Interesting, although I'd be nervous about messing up.
J
I had the same thing with my tortoise, 5 years later I just noticed it was gone this summer..When Sheldon was purchased 3 years ago he was marked by the breeder with a blue nail polish that also had glitter in it. Fast forward three years till now, the nail polish is still on his shell. I've tried scrubbing it once or twice a week with a toothbrush while he is in his soak. I was wondering if it would be safe to use a small amount of nail polish remover on a Q-tip or something to remove it. Here is his baby picture with the blue dot, and here is a picture from today. It has faded quite a bit.View attachment 237095View attachment 237096