How old do you think my tortoise is?

Throckmortok

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Jun 25, 2022
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New York
Hi! I rescued my Russian tortoise, Throckmorton about a week ago. The people I got him from have no idea how old he is, so I was wondering if there was any way you guys could tell? He’s definitely a male, if that helps. Hopefully these pictures will be able to give you a clue! I can take more if needed. I measured him, from one end of his shell to the other width wise he is about 5-6 inches, and length wise he is about 6-7 inches.
 

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TaraMaiden

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Jun 17, 2022
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Nottinghamshire UK
Hi! I rescued my Russian tortoise, Throckmorton about a week ago. The people I got him from have no idea how old he is, so I was wondering if there was any way you guys could tell? He’s definitely a male, if that helps. Hopefully these pictures will be able to give you a clue! I can take more if needed. I measured him, from one end of his shell to the other width wise he is about 5-6 inches, and length wise he is about 6-7 inches.
This might help...
 

TaraMaiden

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Jun 17, 2022
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Nottinghamshire UK
It is full grown so at least 20-30 years,probably pretty old
Hmmm. bit of a stab in the dark... You can't realistically say that SIMPLY because it seems fully grown it = 20-30 years of age. Tortoises are fully grown and sexually mature by the time they're 15, but after that, there's really no telling exactly how old they are.
Bloodwork may reveal more, but why traumatise a tortoise simply to be able to wish it a happy birthday?! The most sure-fire way of knowing what age a tortoise is - is to know when it hatched.
I have 2 three-year-olds (they vary in size incredibly!) and they were born in late 2019. That's all I know. Month and date, unknown.. but at least I have the year!
 

Turtlenerdspt

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Jun 28, 2022
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Pell city, alabama
Hmmm. bit of a stab in the dark... You can't realistically say that SIMPLY because it seems fully grown it = 20-30 years of age. Tortoises are fully grown and sexually mature by the time they're 15, but after that, there's really no telling exactly how old they are.
Bloodwork may reveal more, but why traumatise a tortoise simply to be able to wish it a happy birthday?! The most sure-fire way of knowing what age a tortoise is - is to know when it hatched.
I have 2 three-year-olds (they vary in size incredibly!) and they were born in late 2019. That's all I know. Month and date, unknown.. but at least I have the year!
Yeah, I do not have to much exp with them, I find that tortoises do not care about there birthdays lol.
 

Yvonne G

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Your russian tortoise looks to be wild caught. His shell is pretty smooth, but he looks to be appx. 8 to 10 years old. I'd say he's got a bit more growing to do, but basically he's a full grown tortoise.
 
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