Re: splitting or cracking of Bell's hinged tortoise shell

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Posted by EJ on February 12, 2001 at 13:11:47:

In Reply to: splitting or cracking of Bell's hinged tortoise shell posted by Kathy on February 12, 2001 at 11:24:43:

Kathy, if it was a wild caught animal that sat at the dealers for any length of time there is a good chance there was some necrosis under the scutes when you got it. Over time the scutes cannot reattach to the bone. So new chitin(?) is secreted by the bone. The old, unattached stuff flakes/chips off. If there is no oozing or bleeding associated with what you describe this is what it sounds like. I've got an extreem case of this right now in a Forrest hingeback. It lost the all the scutes on the plastron aft of the hinge. Nothing but exposed bone. It is the hardiest of the bunch. I'm curious if it will survive. It is very healthy otherwise.
Now you are talking the scutes and not the bone right?
Ed

: We have had our Bell's Hinged for 3 years. Just lately I have noticed 2 areas coming up from the hinges where the shell appears to be splitting or separating. Is this common or does it have something to do with "Leo's" diet. he eats regularly and does not show any other different behavior. Although he has been going under the astro-turf more often. Any feed back would be graetly appreciated. Thanks

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Re: splitting or cracking of Bell's hinged tortoise shell Wendy 02/12/01 (0)

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: Kathy, if it was a wild caught animal that sat at the dealers for any length of time there is a good chance there was some necrosis under the scutes when you got it. Over time the scutes cannot reattach to the bone. So new chitin(?) is secreted by the bone. The old, unattached stuff flakes/chips off. If there is no oozing or bleeding associated with what you describe this is what it sounds like. I've got an extreem case of this right now in a Forrest hingeback. It lost the all the scutes on the plastron aft of the hinge. Nothing but exposed bone. It is the hardiest of the bunch. I'm curious if it will survive. It is very healthy otherwise. : Now you are talking the scutes and not the bone right? : Ed : : We have had our Bell's Hinged for 3 years. Just lately I have noticed 2 areas coming up from the hinges where the shell appears to be splitting or separating. Is this common or does it have something to do with "Leo's" diet. he eats regularly and does not show any other different behavior. Although he has been going under the astro-turf more often. Any feed back would be graetly appreciated. Thanks

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