Reptile & Amphibian Forums

(I apologize for not including a photo -- I don't know how....)

I have 2 box turtle hatchlings that are right at 3 1/2 wks. old. Both are eating and appear to be thriving. However, at "birth" one of them had a misshapen carapace (flat, dimpled). Since it obviously had this while it developed (and not due to lack of care on my part, now), what could be wrong? A note: I discovered these eggs late when I brought them inside to incubate - they hatched 2 wks. later. The shell of this particular baby apparently had 2 teensy spots where clear stuff had leaked and I assumed had "sealed" the cracks. There was never a sign of rot or infection.

PHOTOS!

Let's try this again...

Often times incubation temperature and humidity can effect the shell formation. In this case it just looks like a random birth defect.

Thanks. Another poster in "Box Turtles" suggested a spinal deformity, too. Hopefully, this won't stop it from having a happy, healthy life.