What does it mean to have an extra scute?

[TortCalledBoris]

I heard somewhere that Sulcatas with extra scutes normally turn out to be female. Is this true?

 

[wellington]

Just means it has an extra scute. Used to be mostly females had an extra scute but that's not really the case. Both can have them but I do think more females have them.

 

[Tom]

I heard somewhere that Sulcatas with extra scutes normally turn out to be female. Is this true?

When a tortoise is incubated at the top end of the acceptable range, you will get all or mostly females, depending on the specifics. As the incubation temps gets hotter, scute anomalies become more likely. Anomalies like split scutes, extra scutes, zipper scutes, or combined scutes. These anomalies are less likely at lower incubation temperatures, and lower incubation temperatures, depending on the specifics, should yield all or mostly males.

There can also be a genetic component to split scutes, which is independent of incubation temperatures.

Because of all of these facts, you are more likely to see females with split scutes than males, but males with split scutes are certainly possible. I have had a few myself.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

When a tortoise is incubated at the top end of the acceptable range, you will get all or mostly females, depending on the specifics. As the incubation temps gets hotter, scute anomalies become more likely. Anomalies like split scutes, extra scutes, zipper scutes, or combined scutes. These anomalies are less likely at lower incubation temperatures, and lower incubation temperatures, depending on the specifics, should yield all or mostly males.

There can also be a genetic component to split scutes, which is independent of incubation temperatures.

Because of all of these facts, you are more likely to see females with split scutes than males, but males with split scutes are certainly possible. I have had a few myself.

Very well stated! Great info.

 

[Alessandro Previero]

When a tortoise is incubated at the top end of the acceptable range, you will get all or mostly females, depending on the specifics. As the incubation temps gets hotter, scute anomalies become more likely. Anomalies like split scutes, extra scutes, zipper scutes, or combined scutes. These anomalies are less likely at lower incubation temperatures, and lower incubation temperatures, depending on the specifics, should yield all or mostly males.

There can also be a genetic component to split scutes, which is independent of incubation temperatures.

Because of all of these facts, you are more likely to see females with split scutes than males, but males with split scutes are certainly possible. I have had a few myself.

Hi Tom,

Following upon your explanation, could missing scutes also be caused by higher temps? Asking since my tort has one of the central scutes missing.

Thanks

 

[Tom]

Hi Tom,

Following upon your explanation, could missing scutes also be caused by higher temps? Asking since my tort has one of the central scutes missing.

Thanks

Is it missing, like there is nothing there, or do you mean it has 4 vertebrals instead of 5? Post a picture?

 

[Alessandro Previero]

Is it missing, like there is nothing there, or do you mean it has 4 vertebrals instead of 5? Post a picture?

It has 4 to be correct. See attached photo

 

[Tom]

It has 4 to be correct. See attached photo

Yes. That is one type of anomaly that is typically caused by high incubation temps. Sometimes it can happen even when there was not a spike in temps during incubation, but that is less common.

That type of scute anomaly is typically cosmetic and should have no effect on the tortoises health or well being.