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.

I assume it still has the deformities?
at hacthing the shells are a bit like rubber, very flexible it's common for them to hatch with curled and dimpled shells, I have a painted hatchling that at 2 days old still has a couple of dimples but his shell is still pliable and will likely smoothen out in time.

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My Site
1.2.1 Terrapene Carolina Triunguis
0.1 Nymphicus hollandicus
1.1 Melopsittacus undulatus
1.0 American Cocker Spaniels
1.0 American Short Hair? Cat
1.1 Rouen Ducks

I am experimenting with photos.

... still trying!

This is the sign of an underlying spinal deformity. It is assumed by some that this is a function of improper incubation of the eggs. Personally, I've seen too many wild box turtles with spinal deformities to believe that. I suppose that even wild nests could improperly incubate the eggs, though. I'm not aware of either a genetic or environmental cause for this condition.

Whatever the cause, you have a turtle with a deformed spine. Otherwise, the turtle looks bright and healthy. Turtles can survive this condition. Your turtle may need special care. It may not be able to move fast enough to catch prey, right itself when it is turned over, swim, etc.. Or, it may be perfectly fine. Only time will tell. Make sure that it eats comparably to the others and gets adequate full spectrum lighting and vitamin/mineral supplementation. Those are some cute little hatchlings, good luck with them.

Here are pics of a deformed T.c.c. pipling. It pipped, but died before hatching. Who knows if it even had an adequate trachea.