Missing vertibral scute?

Joined
May 22, 2023
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Location (City and/or State)
UK
Hey 👋
We recently adopted a 3yr old Hermann tortoise and noticed they're missing a vertibral scute. Pretty sure they should have 5.
I've found lots of information on additional scutes but nothing about having one less.
Could it just be genetic, or are we looking at other health issues?
Will this this effect growth/adult size?

TIA
 

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Markw84

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Abnormal scute patterns are fairly common in tortoises. Even in wild tortoises. Extra scutes is the most common abnormality, but you also will see missing scute patterns as well. I personally have a male Burmese Star with 4 vertebrals. Having an abnormal scute pattern has no effect on the overall health of the tortoise.
 

zovick

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Nov 17, 2013
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Hey 👋
We recently adopted a 3yr old Hermann tortoise and noticed they're missing a vertibral scute. Pretty sure they should have 5.
I've found lots of information on additional scutes but nothing about having one less.
Could it just be genetic, or are we looking at other health issues?
Will this this effect growth/adult size?

TIA
The missing scute will not affect the tortoise's health. It will be fine. This may be an anomaly caused by the incubation temperature, just as extra or split scutes are.
 

zolasmum

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5 Year Member
Joined
May 19, 2015
Messages
2,003
Hey 👋
We recently adopted a 3yr old Hermann tortoise and noticed they're missing a vertibral scute. Pretty sure they should have 5.
I've found lots of information on additional scutes but nothing about having one less.
Could it just be genetic, or are we looking at other health issues?
Will this this effect growth/adult size?

TIA
Hello and welcome from Devon. Your little chap looks lovely ! Our Hermanns tortoise, aged 23, has a split scute, but it hasn't affected him in any way.
Best wishes
Angie
 

Karen(pebbles)

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May 14, 2021
Messages
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Location (City and/or State)
Bristol Uk
Hey 👋
We recently adopted a 3yr old Hermann tortoise and noticed they're missing a vertibral scute. Pretty sure they should have 5.
I've found lots of information on additional scutes but nothing about having one less.
Could it just be genetic, or are we looking at other health issues?
Will this this effect growth/adult size?

TIA
Hi, my pebbles is 3 years old and also has a scute missing, just cosmetic as i've been told and nothing to worry about.
 

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