I have had my Sulcata tortoise, Gus, for over a year now since July, 2006. I got him as a hatchling at 2 months old. He has not grown at all since I got him! The plastron and the sides of his carapace are a bit soft. We are offering him different greens such as clover, dandelion, and turnip greens. We soak him atleast every other day, almost everyday. He has UVA/UVB lighting as well as a heat lamp. We offer him calcium with almost every meal. He doesn't like it, but eats it most of the time. He usually has a great appetite, but recently has lost his appetite. I don't know what else to do for him. I have had him to different vets and no one seems to know how to help him. I cannot understand why he has not grown in a whole year and why his plastron is so soft. We have 2 other tortoises, one sulcata, and one red foot, that are doing just fine. They are a little older, but have no problems like the yearling. Is there anything else I can do for him?? I worry everyday for his little life and I feel that we are doing every possible thing we can for him. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I think its just genetics honestly. I have a Leopard hatchling I picked up the end of April that has not grown either. He has gained 1 GRAM in the last 3 months. No noticeable shell growth either. Ive checked and rechecked my setup, temps, lighting and feeding. Ive checked with some fellow Leopard keepers and they agree that everything is perfect and optimal for growth. But yet he doesnt. No idea. I just keep hoping. He has a great appetite and eats like a little piggy. He only weighs 25grams and is 8-9 months old.


Can you post pics of Gus with something for size comparison for us?

This post was last modified: 11-05-2007 11:20 AM by JustAnja.

Don't really know what advice to give as i'm new to tortoises but just wanted to say good luck in finding what may or may not be wrong with Gus. Sounds like you are a very good carer! xxx

Do your tortoises have soft plastrons at all?? I don;t know why he has this, as we provide proper UV lighting as well as a calcium supplement. Anyway, here are some pics. The first one is from a while ago, last fall. The next two I just took with some objects to compare him to.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/...flower.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/...CN4081.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/...CN4084.jpg

I just read a couple of forum threads from kingsnake.com and saw that there were quite a few threads on the subject. Mostly, if all conditions are right for growth, there shouldnt be much concern. Some people said that their sulcata grew upwards of 5 inches in a year while other people said that theirs didnt really start a "spurt" until 4-5 years. I think it depends on the tort. Hope that helps a little

If everything is right heat, light and enclosure wise it all comes down to diet. Meka and Anja your tortoises aren't getting enough of either Calcium, phosphorus or vitamin D3. You need all 3 in the right amounts to build bones and to grow.
If your tortoises are eating, then you need to supplement more. All my tortoises get Reptocal by Terrafauna for a calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D3 supplement. They all love the taste of it and eat everything it's put on.
I also, for the first year of my hatchlings lives, add liquid vitamins once a week to their water while soaking. I use Vitasol for birds by 8in1.

Danny

We provide repcal during every feeding...we have tried everything for him. He eats his supplements just fine on his greens, but it doesnt seem to be helping. I will have to try supplementing his soaking water as well....

Hey Danny, Mine gets supplemented every other day and has since day once with reptical with D3. I just picked up some TNT last week and have been using that as well. Ive also started leaving some ground up Mazuri in the enclosure at all times for him. Ive got cuttlebone in with him as well as the mineral block from Carolina Pet Supply. Im sorry but I just dont buy that he is not getting enough of something and is just not growing. Even poorly fed torts will grow, not grow the right way but will grow. Ive been completely anal about his feeding/supplementing/lighting etc etc. Ive sent pics of my setup to EJ and talked with him in depth about my feeding and supplementing because I was worried I was missing something. He just keeps telling me to be patient. lol




I will pick up some vitasol, as I have tried everything else.

I can only tell you what works for me and in 10 years I have never had a hatchling go soft or refuse to grow with what I'm doing.

Danny

Thats great Dan, but how do you explain every other tortoise and turtle I have is thriving and growing? Im not a tortoise noob, just spent the last 4 years without having any but have had them in the past and worked in the zoo industry.