After bathing Queenie today I noticed two things. First was that she has these white wriggley lines in her shell mostly at the front. They look like worm casts that you sometimes see in the soil. They are not raised so you can't feel them but I don't recall seeing them before, although I could of missed them. Second was that she seems to have see through shell. It's only at the edges at the front and it is a brown colour but if I put my finger behind it I can still see it. I know it's hard to get advice when you haven't seen it but anyone got any ideas. Are these anything to worry about?

Hiya,

The white lines - are they between the scutes (new growth)?
How old is Queenie?

Kindest Regards
Darren

Hi Darren,

Really sorry to be a pain. I've been told that Queenie is, at the youngest 6 years old. The white squiggly  lines are mainly on the front panel of the shell above the rim,not between the new growth. Does that make sense to you???. It's confused me and I'm the one trying to explain it.

Hi Winnie,

LOL
Have you any good photos at all you can load up or mail me please?

darren@tortoise-protection-group.org.uk

Oh lordy, I was so dreading (but expecting) that question. I'm ashamed to say that I am having to wait for my 14 year old niece to show me how to send photo's. I know this doesn't help as without pics it's hard for people to help but I thought I'd ask anyway. I know, I'm useless!!!!

Hi,

That sounds like classic keratin stress marks to me (little wiggly worm-like marks just beneath the surface of the shell). It's nothing to worry about and often comes with spurts of growth, but this can happen in the wild too, when the rains come and for a short time there is more vegetation, and the tortoise eats more. It is not harmful to the tortoise, and they usually disappear in time. Just aim for slow growth and you probably won't get any more.

Nina

That's exactly it Nina, you've been able to understand my jibberish. So basically, I've got a tort with stretch marks!

I seriously need to go on a computer course. I've taken loads of pics but they're just sittin' in my camera.

LOL:-)

Gotcha.

They look a bit like mis-shapen bubbles under the shell. Is this what it looks like?

TC
Darren

That looks like it yes. What about the see through bits at the edge, is that just new shell growth?