Split in the Plastron

[rjleigh92]

Hi All,
I was wondering if anyone could help, i have just noticed that there is a slight split on Terry's plastron, right through the centre, its very fine, i'd probably describe it as a hairline crack but i haven't noticed it before, i can get my thumb nail in it as in the photo (sorry for the graphic photo!!) You can see it has a little dirt in it from where he's been walking around.
Does anyone know if this is normal?
Many thanks,
Rosie

 

[NorCal tortoise guy]

Looks normal to me just how he is growing would be my guess but I have not worked with this speces before

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Rosie:

It's probably nothing to worry about, but to ease your mind, take a tooth brush and gently scrub that whole line from neck to tail, getting all the dirt out of it. Then fill the crack, from neck to tail, with a tiny bit of some sort of first aid ointment - whatever you have on hand for your own cuts and scrapes. Wipe off the excess, leaving the ointment inside the crack.