Tortoise Deformity

[kiramcathey]

My sulcata escaped about 6 months ago. Someone sent me this photo today of potentially our tortoise. Looks about the same size… however, the shell is now very deformed. What could have caused this? Is it possible this deformity happened in the last 6 months?

(Mine is in the pool and the found one is the one with the wording on the photo)

 

[zovick]

My sulcata escaped about 6 months ago. Someone sent me this photo today of potentially our tortoise. Looks about the same size… however, the shell is now very deformed. What could have caused this? Is it possible this deformity happened in the last 6 months?

(Mine is in the pool and the found one is the one with the wording on the photo)

The picture isn't too clear, but from what I see, those marks could be from an animal trying to chew on or bite the tortoise or from the tortoise trying to cram itself into shelter under some rocks or rough concrete.

 

[Maggie3fan]

The picture isn't too clear, but from what I see, those marks could be from an animal trying to chew on or bite the tortoise or from the tortoise trying to cram itself into shelter under some rocks or rough concrete.

Frankly...I don't think even Sulcata can change his carapace that much in 6 months...I say it's not the same tort...

 

[Renee_H]

I’d try to see the tortoise in person. It’s possible that’s a bunch of caked on mud.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

It is hard to say as the found tortoise is covered in mud. Could you get a photo of the tortoise after it has been washed?

 

[Sarah2020]

The only way is to view it and match up the scutes and pigment to know if it could be yours. Weights and size also help if you have previous logs.

 

[TammyJ]

What everyone said. Need a better picture of the found one.
But my first thought is that it's not yours.

 

[Tom]

My sulcata escaped about 6 months ago. Someone sent me this photo today of potentially our tortoise. Looks about the same size… however, the shell is now very deformed. What could have caused this? Is it possible this deformity happened in the last 6 months?

(Mine is in the pool and the found one is the one with the wording on the photo)

We are looking at opposite sides of the tortoise. Early growth won't have changed. I'm looking for little divots and patterns on the individual scutes to match up, but we need to be able to see the same side of the tortoise. I'd go have a look, wash the tortoise off, and try to compare unique features on a zoomed in picture of your original tortoise with the features on this one. Also look for that distinctive nose shape on the found tortoise.

 

[Yvonne G]

Not the same tortoise.