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- Jun 16, 2013
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- 1,050
I'd like to go back to keratin mechanics and effect of moisture. Are keratin mechanics same in all species? Aren't some tropical species such as some red/yellow foots, manouria, wood turtles etc, exposed to constant moisture and high humid levels?
I also would like to ask specifically about manouria scutes, but have seen this in red foots as well. I have asked this some time back but it hasnt been fully explained.
I have been raising two emys emys in high moisture/humid environment. (90+% humidity and moist) I have observed when removed from this environment, even slightly, or if the humidity drops to 70-80% humidity range which is still moderate, ends of their scutes noticeably swell upward within an hour or so. They remain swelled until the carapace is moistened and reintroduced back to high levels of humidity. This again takes about an hour or longer.
What is happening there? And is this "working" of the scutes normal in long run. Should I keep them in this high humidity state, alternate humidity or slowly reduce the humidity?
Below an image of scute while moist and exposed to high humidity. They remain very smooth and flat.
View attachment 65257
And an image of the same tortoise after an hour of experiencing lower but still moderate humidity. The ends of scute noticeably raise and white/silverish lines appear between the scutes.
Insert didn't work, here it is again, with scutes flat, under moist conditions.
I am also including a picture from Google, of adult WC emys emys. I believe they belong to one of the members here. It can be seen that all their scute are "sunken". Is it possible same mechanics created this "raised" ends of the scutes rather then being sunken as many times its believed.
I also would like to ask specifically about manouria scutes, but have seen this in red foots as well. I have asked this some time back but it hasnt been fully explained.
I have been raising two emys emys in high moisture/humid environment. (90+% humidity and moist) I have observed when removed from this environment, even slightly, or if the humidity drops to 70-80% humidity range which is still moderate, ends of their scutes noticeably swell upward within an hour or so. They remain swelled until the carapace is moistened and reintroduced back to high levels of humidity. This again takes about an hour or longer.
What is happening there? And is this "working" of the scutes normal in long run. Should I keep them in this high humidity state, alternate humidity or slowly reduce the humidity?
Below an image of scute while moist and exposed to high humidity. They remain very smooth and flat.
View attachment 65257
And an image of the same tortoise after an hour of experiencing lower but still moderate humidity. The ends of scute noticeably raise and white/silverish lines appear between the scutes.
Insert didn't work, here it is again, with scutes flat, under moist conditions.
I am also including a picture from Google, of adult WC emys emys. I believe they belong to one of the members here. It can be seen that all their scute are "sunken". Is it possible same mechanics created this "raised" ends of the scutes rather then being sunken as many times its believed.
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