Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have some hatchling box turtles and I was wondering if there is something I can use to mark the shells with so that I can identify each one. There are 10 and it is hard to keep track of who is eating and who isnt. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

this is an interesting question. I would love to have an expert respond.thanks/p
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Patsy

FWIW, have often seen hatchlings shells marked with fingernail polish.
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.11.0 chickens
1.0.0 Dutch(rabbit)
3.2.0 children (do I still count the married ones?)
1.0.0 husband

I don't mark my turtles but I have had occasion to need to mark rat babies because being littermates they looked exactly alike. It's hard to teach them their names when you don't know which one you're talking to.
I've marked rat tails with a Sharpie before, it states on the pen that it's nontoxic ink.. didn't scare me for a mammal but with a turtle if I were going to do this I think I'd try using food coloring.You can buy a box of 4 colors on the cake aisle in a grocery store. Since it's safe for human consumption I think it'd be safe for the outside of a turtle body.
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PHRatz

Have you tried crayola crayons. They are non-toxic, multicolored, though will wear off over time (fancy colored wax). If you color code your crew it may last long enough for other caracteristics to show up to help differentiate them. Besides when it does wear off it is simple and easy to reapply!