Question about my torts shell?

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kristenlparker

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I just acquired a Greek tortoise the other night. It looks perfectly healthy but for one thing, its shell. There are 3 spots towards the back, where the scutes look like there's a very hard scab like surface over them. The tort is a grey color and these spots are a light brown color. It sort of looks like peeling/flaking or something may be healed there? The rest of the shell is good looking and these spots aren't soft or anything. Did the previous owner not care for the tort correctly and will this go away with proper care? Any ideas? Can anybody tell me what kind of Greek tortoise this is as well? Thanks!
 

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egyptiandan

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Welcome to the forum Kristen :)

The picture is a bit fuzzy, so can't really tell whats going on. If you can put your camera on macro mode (usually a flower symbol) the picture should be clear. We might be able to tell whats going on with a better picture.
Without seeing a plastron shot, it looks like a dark Jordanian greek, Testudo graeca ssp.

Danny
 

kristenlparker

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yea sorry i was lazy and i just wanted to use my cell phone. i actually have a macro lens but i didn't feel like attaching it to my digital slr, so i used my crappy cell phone camera. sorry about that. ok, so i took real photos. i don't think this is a big deal, it just looks unattractive and i want to know what it is. thanks.
 

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egyptiandan

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Thats just fine :) nothing to worry about. It's just a bit of scute material flaking off.

Danny
 

kristenlparker

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ok, why does it do that? it's not really like shedding right? i have 2 bearded dragons, a columbian tegu and a ball python but this looked weird. i thought maybe he had recovered from something because the home i got him from wasn't the best. what can i do to help it along besides the usual soaks and proper maintenance? this is my first tort and i want to get things right! can anyone confirm what kind of greek he is?
 

Meg90

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Danny said that he was a Jordanian Greek. In a previous post.
 

egyptiandan

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Sometimes scute material just does that. No it's not like shedding in a lizard or snake, but tortoises also shed their skin.
Just give the proper diet and lighting and your new Jordanian greek will be just fine. :)

Danny
 
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