"Even with the brown as dark as it is, you think it will lighten with proper care.

Hopefully I can turn this little guy around then"



Which part of the pattern do you expect to lighten?

The white marbling appears when the baby tortoise begins growth, it is not unlike the stars in star tortoises, in that it takes shape during growth.

Adults usually dont have that much marbling-they may lose it-, although I did have a large female which I got as a juvenile with lots of marbling, and kept them to adult size.

Is it a little guy?

It is difficult to judge from a photograph, but it looks to be at least 6 inches long, so a young subadult.

Also, difficult to judge by the photos angle- and you cn never tell 100%-, but guy or gal? The rear plastron seems to be quite round.

It does show some dehydration if you look at the head scutes.Cherry heads usually have thinner skin on the head as compared to some yellow headed redfoots, like Bolivians, where the head seems to be covered by plastic platelets, sort of...

With more humidity the red color on the head will be enhanced.



Good luck!

David

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