Triangular scutes

[Chris Stannard]

Here is a picture of Harry, maybe Harriet (we will find out later). any way the name came from the lighting shapes on his back. Will these scutes square up as he gets bigger or are they going to be a permanent feature? Stats so far Plastrom 59mm Carapace 76mm Weight 78.3g. hope this makes sense for scale.

 

[zolasmum]

Here is a picture of Harry, maybe Harriet (we will find out later). any way the name came from the lighting shapes on his back. Will these scutes square up as he gets bigger or are they going to be a permanent feature? Stats so far Plastrom 59mm Carapace 76mm Weight 78.3g. hope this makes sense for scale.

View attachment 346199

The odd-shaped scutes on his shell will not change, but it is quite common for tortoises to have these, and in my opinion, gives them extra character! Zola has a couple too. If Harry should ever get lost, it will be much easier to identify him!
Angie

 

[Tom]

Here is a picture of Harry, maybe Harriet (we will find out later). any way the name came from the lighting shapes on his back. Will these scutes square up as he gets bigger or are they going to be a permanent feature? Stats so far Plastrom 59mm Carapace 76mm Weight 78.3g. hope this makes sense for scale.

View attachment 346199

That pattern will not change.

You are starting to get some pyramiding and it looks like you've got the wrong substrate. Most of the care info dispensed around the world is wrong. Been wrong for decades and most people don't even realize it. Here is the correct care info for your species:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

Questions are welcome.

 

[Yvonne G]

Your tortoise has what is called an aberrant scute pattern. It's not the "normal" what scutes grow, but there's nothing wrong with it. It sometimes happens because the eggs were incubated at a higher than normal temperature, and it is sometimes inherited. It's nothing to worry about. Quite a few of us, myself included, prefer the abnormal-looking scute patterns. I have quite a few tortoises with them. One good thing about it, if he ever escapes you'll always be able to identify him if necessary.

 

[Gillian M]

Pattern or no pattern, your tortoise is cute. God bless.

And a warm welcome to the forum.