How old is my tortoise?

[Mitchell Aparicio]

Hello everyone!

I am a new member to the forum as well as a new owner of my very first reptile! I bought this Russian tortoise earlier today at a local pet shop. I asked one of the workers at the store if they knew how old my tort. They said they didn't know since they had their tortoises shipped straight from Russia. Does anyone on here have an idea how old he might be? He measures about 6 inches from top to bottom of his shell. About 5 inches across. Also, is the curve of the back of his shell normal? It curves upwards slightly

Thank you all!

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. There is no way of knowing. It's all just a good guess. Most pet store russians are wild caught and adults. So my best guess would be 8-10 years. Could be older, could be younger.

 

[Mitchell Aparicio]

Hello and Welcome. There is no way of knowing. It's all just a good guess. Most pet store russians are wild caught and adults. So my best guess would be 8-10 years. Could be older, could be younger.

Thanks for the feedback! Would've been nice to know the exact age but its all good. I'm excited to have my new pet for a long time!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hi, Mitchell, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and your tortoise.
A lot of pet shop information is not complete or correct.
Have a look at http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/russian-tortoises.81/
for lots of up to date information on how to care for your pretty new tort.
As for the age? Don't know, but he looks like a Capricorn to me!

 

[leigti]

The slight curling of the shell is normal. Some Russians have it and some don't.

 

[Mitchell Aparicio]

The slight curling of the shell is normal. Some Russians have it and some don't.

Thanks. That's a relief to hear

 

[Mitchell Aparicio]

Hi, Mitchell, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and your tortoise.
A lot of pet shop information is not complete or correct.
Have a look at http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/russian-tortoises.81/
for lots of up to date information on how to care for your pretty new tort.
As for the age? Don't know, but he looks like a Capricorn to me!

Thanks for the warm welcoming. I guess I'll make up a birthday for my tort lol

 

[spud's_mum]

My friend has one and looks around the same size, hers is 5

 

[Lyn W]

Thanks for the warm welcoming. I guess I'll make up a birthday for my tort lol

Hi and welcome. You'll be able to find out lots about your tort here to keep him happy and healthy.
I don't know my torts age or when he hatched etc so his birthday is going to be the day I brought him home which will be in July.

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum, Mitchell!! Your tortoise is probably full grown. There's no way to tell a tortoise's age, sorry.

 

[Mitchell Aparicio]

Welcome to the Forum, Mitchell!! Your tortoise is probably full grown. There's no way to tell a tortoise's age, sorry.

Thanks for the info!

 

[sadielady]

any ideas on how old mine could be? Just want a rough estimate.

 

[mikeylazer]

General rule of thumb is if you buy a tortoise from the pet store it is usually around 5 years old (or older) and most likely wild caught. Thats as accurate as we can get.

 

[Yvonne G]

View attachment 133316 any ideas on how old mine could be? Just want a rough estimate.

12 years old.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

It's pretty much a guessing game, but it looks adult.
10 years?

 

[Eileen Turpin]

Curious question can you age mine?