Are split scutes hereditary?
Split scutes
- Thread starter DoctorCosmonaut
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very good question...
I googled that question and it seems the debate is between if its hereditary or incubation temperatures.
Hopefully some one here has more experience with that
I googled that question and it seems the debate is between if its hereditary or incubation temperatures.
Hopefully some one here has more experience with that
I hear its because of temps when you incubate them. I think its because theyre incubated too hot?? im not 100% sure.
hopefully, someone can correct me.
hopefully, someone can correct me.
ANOTHER ??????????????????????? question!
I've had them incubate in the nest box ( way too low temps ) for an unknown term.. resulting in tiny split scute.
Had one hatchling with split-scute who had 4 siblings that were perfect.
Had power outage.. incubator dropped to low 70's [ normal incubate is 84-85F ] with perfect carapaces.
MOST abnormalities resulted from extreme high temps 88+F for 6 weeks or more during the final shell development period..... I think..... maybe.... and that's etched in sand!
Terry K
BTW.. Actually it's probly both Jordan. But out of several.. only around 5% have been imperfect.. so it's doubtful it's hereditary.. I 'spose!
I've had them incubate in the nest box ( way too low temps ) for an unknown term.. resulting in tiny split scute.
Had one hatchling with split-scute who had 4 siblings that were perfect.
Had power outage.. incubator dropped to low 70's [ normal incubate is 84-85F ] with perfect carapaces.
MOST abnormalities resulted from extreme high temps 88+F for 6 weeks or more during the final shell development period..... I think..... maybe.... and that's etched in sand!
Terry K
BTW.. Actually it's probly both Jordan. But out of several.. only around 5% have been imperfect.. so it's doubtful it's hereditary.. I 'spose!
It's both Jordan
My female pancake tortoise has lots of extra scutes, but she has 5 coastal scutes on each side of her carapace. The first ones are small extra ones. Her mother has these and she has thrown them on some of her hatchlings (exact same size and spot).
Danny
My female pancake tortoise has lots of extra scutes, but she has 5 coastal scutes on each side of her carapace. The first ones are small extra ones. Her mother has these and she has thrown them on some of her hatchlings (exact same size and spot).
Danny
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Most of the tortoises that I have hatched with split scutes were when the incubation temperatures hit 90 degrees or more, often times when incubation humidity is lower. As far as I know so far, almost every one of them have been females too.
I also have adult wild caught and captive born tortoises here that have split scutes so it absolutely does occur in nature. I can't say that I've ever seen any kind of prove or pattern that adults with split scutes will produce offspring with the same. At least with mine, which are all Northern Mediterranean and Russian tortoises, the split scutes come from incubation temperatures and humidity.
I also have adult wild caught and captive born tortoises here that have split scutes so it absolutely does occur in nature. I can't say that I've ever seen any kind of prove or pattern that adults with split scutes will produce offspring with the same. At least with mine, which are all Northern Mediterranean and Russian tortoises, the split scutes come from incubation temperatures and humidity.
S
stells
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I'm with the both theory...
I have an Ibera with spilt scutes... who i got from a friend of mine... her mother also has them... in EXACTLY the same place.. coincidence?
I also have a Star with split scutes... as far as i am aware that was incubation temps...
I have an Ibera with spilt scutes... who i got from a friend of mine... her mother also has them... in EXACTLY the same place.. coincidence?
I also have a Star with split scutes... as far as i am aware that was incubation temps...
I have also read theories that both excessive egg handling/candling may have an effect!
any pictures of a split schute?
xx
xx
There is no doubt that it is both.
What you are eluding to is the split scute in the Aldabras. Note that I did not say 'scutes'. I've not seen any other tortoise that has shown any evidence that split scutes are genetic... except in the Aldabra.
Understand that the majority of Aldabras come from one source.
Also not that the split scute in Aldabras is almost always the last vertabral scute. This is definately not temperature related.
What you are eluding to is the split scute in the Aldabras. Note that I did not say 'scutes'. I've not seen any other tortoise that has shown any evidence that split scutes are genetic... except in the Aldabra.
Understand that the majority of Aldabras come from one source.
Also not that the split scute in Aldabras is almost always the last vertabral scute. This is definately not temperature related.
S
stells
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