Weird curvy line on the back of my tortoise

[FrankiesDad]

Hi all,

First time poster here. I have a 1 year and 9 month old sulcata that I love.

She lives in a covered enclosure in my grassy backyard that is pretty big. I put the enclosure next to a vine bush that has totally covered the top of her wire enclosure which is pretty cool because it shades her from the arizona sun. She’s got lettuce every day, tortoise pellets, a shallow water bowl, and I occasionally give her fruit like once a month.

I recently noticed this curvy line on the back of her shell. Is this something I should be worried about? She’s never been dropped and lives a pretty chill lifestyle. please let me know!

 

[wellington]

Split scute. Nothing to worry about. It's not normal but is common. Makes them more special.

 

[Tom]

Hi all,

First time poster here. I have a 1 year and 9 month old sulcata that I love.

She lives in a covered enclosure in my grassy backyard that is pretty big. I put the enclosure next to a vine bush that has totally covered the top of her wire enclosure which is pretty cool because it shades her from the arizona sun. She’s got lettuce every day, tortoise pellets, a shallow water bowl, and I occasionally give her fruit like once a month.

I recently noticed this curvy line on the back of her shell. Is this something I should be worried about? She’s never been dropped and lives a pretty chill lifestyle. please let me know!

Those scutes have always been there. This tortoise hatched this way. That happens when they are incubated too warm, and sometimes it is believed there is a genetic component too. Its really just cosmetic.

What type of vine is that? Have you verified that it is not toxic if eaten?

With the intention of helping you and your tortoise, I would like to mention a few things. This tortoise is far too small to be living outside full time, especially in your extreme climate. At a 21 months, this tortoise should be at least 10 pounds and 10 or 12 inches. When they aren't housed optimally it slows their growth extensively.

Here is all the correct care info for you and questions are welcome:

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? 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. Babies hatch during the...

tortoiseforum.org

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[wellington]

Totally second Toms post. Also sulcata shouldn't have fruit but specially not a baby.
Please read and follow the threads Tom posted for you.
She also needs a much bigger varied diet.grind up cactus pads, hibiscus, mulberry leaf, grape leaf, much more than you are feeding.
Get her housed correctly with high humidity and you can stop the pyramiding that has started.

 

[COmtnLady]

Welcome to the Forum.