Mandysaur
Member
Small spot that looks like it is peeling on bottom of hatchling shell.
Peeling spot on plastron
- Thread starter Mandysaur
- Start date
Mandysaur
Member
That looks like where the yolk sac used to be. Some breeders will chime in soon. They will know. @Tom
@TriciaStringer is correct.
This baby was not started correctly and was too young to be sold. Where did you get it?
This baby was not started correctly and was too young to be sold. Where did you get it?
Mandysaur
Member
A Breeder. He said he was 4-6 weeks old. What should I do to start him correctly?
@Tom . . . you know I love you, but how on earth can you tell by just one plastron picture, that a baby wasn't started correctly?
@Mandysaur . . . don't worry about if the baby has been started correctly or not. It's young enough that you can start it correctly. Be sure to read the care sheets pinned at the top of our sulcata section and do the right thing by your new baby.
The "wrinkle" on the baby's plastron will go away with time. It's his "belly button", if you will.
@Mandysaur . . . don't worry about if the baby has been started correctly or not. It's young enough that you can start it correctly. Be sure to read the care sheets pinned at the top of our sulcata section and do the right thing by your new baby.
The "wrinkle" on the baby's plastron will go away with time. It's his "belly button", if you will.
I will add that when the yolk sac is absorbed, it is a relatively large area of new keratin that must fill in rather quickly. As with pyramiding, humidity effects this. I also have noticed that a hatchling kept where that new plastron keratin is not protected and not kept VERY moist, will heal with a more wrinkled pattern left behind. A well started hatchling kept where the plastron is not subjected to any dry substrate heals where the "belly button" almost dissappears quite quickly.
I just went out and grabbed one of mine that is 4 weeks old...
Mandysaur
Member
I was worried I was keeping him to wet and humid. I guess not. How long outside do y’all recommend for babies?
I love you too, and I don't ever mind when you correct me or ask for more explanation.
I think @Markw84 explained it pretty well. I would add that when I used to buy them or start them myself the old dry way, and not house hatchlings appropriate in damp, high humidity brooder boxes, I would always see the little wrinkled and dried up remnants of he yolk sac, like what is in the OPs picture. When they are started humid and well hydrated in a brooder box, you don't see that. I don't move them into an enclosure until all that yolk sac and umbilical scar closing business is all done. They stay in the brooder box until they look more like the picture Mark showed. This is usually about 7-10 days. Most breeders seem to be in a hurry to get them into an enclosure with substrate, and that is where you see what the OP is showing in their pic. Good stuff happens in my brooder boxes. That is where the babies learn what food is and get introduced to a different food every day. Skipping that step is a major reason why some babies won't eat anything but lettuce for some new owners and it is also a good indicator that the breeder is using old, out-dated, dry raising methods.
My general recommendation for sulcata babies is: One hour of access to sunshine in a safe enclosure per inch of tortoise during fair weather. By the time they are 5-6 inches, I will usually leave them outside all day in nice weather.
