What are Scutes??

[mom03]

I found a baby tortoise that is for adoption.. but it says that it is unique in that it has extra scutes?? What does that mean?

 

[egyptiandan]

This is the normal number of scutes that a tortoise's carapace has.

5 Vertebral scutes
8 Coastal scutes

A tortoise with extra scutes has more than that number of scutes. The extra scutes have no affect on the tortoise.

Danny

 

[Stephanie Logan]

Cool, Danny! Thanks for the diagram. I had never seen that much detail in the carapace before. Now I am going to go count Taco's.

"You learn something new everyday..."
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Yep. Taco has the standard number of scutes.

 

[Tom]

This is the normal number of scutes that a tortoise's carapace has.

5 Vertebral scutes
8 Coastal scutes

A tortoise with extra scutes has more than that number of scutes. The extra scutes have no affect on the tortoise.

Danny

This is a great diagram. Thank you. I never really counted. Now I'm going to have to go compare that to all of mine!

 

[mom03]

Thank you so much... oddly enough, it was almost as if it was "damaged" by the seller giving it a lower price. Good to know that there isnt anything wrong with it! Thanks again!!!

 

[-ryan-]

They usually go for cheaper because they are cosmetically different than 'normal' tortoises. Good news is they are usually female.

 

[Candy]

You learn something new everyday, thanks Danny. I definitely bookmarked this thread.