u/Critter-Keeper

I’ve noticed one of my hatchlings “itching” their belly on some things in their enclosure. One of my three torts is doing this. The others are not itching or acting differently at all.

Today I soaked all 3 hatchlings and took the opportunity to check that torts belly. Then I check the rest …

I see that they all have developed these orange marks underneath. The orange spotty bits and the faint white outline bits are what I’m concerned about.

Other Info:

• Eating fine, toileting fine.
• I soak 1-2 times per week but will be increasing to 3-4.
• Added a humid hide this week but tbh, humidity is something I think they need more of.
• They’re only like 4-5mnths old hatchlings
• We live in New Zealand, tortoise knowledgable vets aren’t really a thing here, hence seeking help from this community.

I’m not sure if it’s just normal with hatchling shell growth, or just a sign that they need more humidity? Is it something worse… the start of a fungus? Shell rot?

What is it?