Re: scute abnormalities
Vickie, I always thought you used vermiculite not perlite. Interesting, this is one I have not tried. I have seen the pig tail in a hatchling macrospilota and a slider, both grew to be somewhat normal. The tails straightened with maturity. The scutes however will remain as they are. I have seen some develope with normal shaped shells and occasionally they have slight deformations. I had 2 hatch premature last year with small shells and they both died within a couple days. I have seen double and fused scutes in wild populations as well. They appeared normal otherwise. Just some of my observations. I hope its helpful. Scott