How old is this baby?

[SinLA]

I may be helping in a recue situation, can anyone give a rough idea of how old this baby might be? I know aging is hard, but I am hoping this young it might be easier to tell. Also I am presuming Sulcata, please let me know if not...

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Looks like a baby sulcata to me and my guess would be 1-2 years

Perhaps @Tom will estimate differently?

Happy birthday btw!

 

[SinLA]

Thanks! I was under the impression much younger than that (as in months, not years) but will be good to get expert opinion...

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thanks! I was under the impression much younger than that (as in months, not years) but will be good to get expert opinion...

Yeah 2 is probably too high an estimate tbh, I guess that was what I’m thinking absolute tops, but you’re right anything from 6months to a year is probably more accurate

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Yeah 2 is probably too high an estimate tbh, I guess that was what I’m thinking absolute tops, but you’re right anything from 6months to a year is probably more accurate

Yeah on closer inspection of the photo 2 was definitely too high of me lol

 

[Tom]

This is a hatchling sulcata. I can't quite see it in your picture, but look for the egg tooth on the tip of the snout. If present, its less than 6 weeks old.

I see no new growth yet, so it hatched very recently, or its been housed poorly and just hasn't grown.

 

[Tom]

Yeah 2 is probably too high an estimate tbh, I guess that was what I’m thinking absolute tops, but you’re right anything from 6months to a year is probably more accurate

To assess this, look at the area between the scutes. The longer they are alive the more growth lines and new growing material you will see. This tortoises has zero new growth yet. There is no way it could be 6-12 months. Its a new hatchling, and the is also the time of year when they would ground hatch here in Southern CA.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

This is a hatchling sulcata. I can't quite see it in your picture, but look for the egg tooth on the tip of the snout. If present, its less than 6 weeks old.

I see no new growth yet, so it hatched very recently, or its been housed poorly and just hasn't grown.

Yeah I figured I’d say up to a year in case they’ve been started badly, you’re right though definitely a baby! I didn’t look at the photo long enough when I said 2 haha it was a quick glance

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I may be helping in a recue situation, can anyone give a rough idea of how old this baby might be? I know aging is hard, but I am hoping this young it might be easier to tell. Also I am presuming Sulcata, please let me know if not...

Where are you rescuing him from out of interest?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

To assess this, look at the area between the scutes. The longer they are alive the more growth lines and new growing material you will see. This tortoises has zero new growth yet. There is no way it could be 6-12 months. Its a new hatchling, and the is also the time of year when they would ground hatch here in Southern CA.

To me mind, this baby looks a bit chunkier/bigger than the average hatchlings I’ve seen? That’s why I figured maybe 6months, But perhaps it’s just the photo

 

[zovick]

Thanks! I was under the impression much younger than that (as in months, not years) but will be good to get expert opinion...

It is definitely a sulcata and looks to be about 2-3 months of age.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

It is definitely a sulcata and looks to be about 2-3 months of age.

This is probably a pretty good guess tbh, better than mine clearly lol

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Could you get a photo from the front to determine whether there is a eggtooth or not?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

This is a supposed yearling which was my initial impression of the photo, but after looking properly I can totally see what Tom was saying about the growth, I estimated wayyy too high lol

 

[wellington]

Yep for sure a sulcata and for sure not years old.

 

[wellington]

Happy Birthday. Will this be a birthday present from you, to you?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Happy Birthday. Will this be a birthday present from you, to you?

Oh, I didn't notice happy birthday @SinLA !

 

[SinLA]

@wellington - LOL bite your tongue! I need a Sulcata like I need a hole in my head (or drywall, or fence).

As @Yvonne G once said - once someone knows you do rescue, word spreads quickly! I've already reached out to @EppsDynasty. Game plan is IF this little one makes it to me, I'll keep it long enough to make sure its healthy enough to travel and then I'll get it up to him. I give it 50-50 odds of it even making it to me. I can do that with a big plastic bin, greenhouse and my existing lights/thermostats, etc with little effort and no cross contamination with Fezzik.

Being 1-4 months old fits the storyline. Friend of a friend of a friend situation, I've supplied care FAQs from this site (also famous photo of sulcata-thru-drywall to know what to expect), also links to GST two videos which have good info on why not to get a Sulcata and the care babies need. Friend-once-removed is fiercely trying to convince him to care for it properly or give it up. Likelihood of caring for it properly is slim, I figure it will die first, but hoping for the best.

Also, its funny, I don't know if I entered the wrong birthday when I signed up, but my birthday is actually tomorrow, LOL but thanks for all the well wishes!

 

[SinLA]

Could you get a photo from the front to determine whether there is a eggtooth or not?

No, I don't have it in my possession, getting this photo is most likely all I'll get

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

@wellington - LOL bite your tongue! I need a Sulcata like I need a hole in my head (or drywall, or fence).

As @Yvonne G once said - once someone knows you do rescue, word spreads quickly! I've already reached out to @EppsDynasty. Game plan is IF this little one makes it to me, I'll keep it long enough to make sure its healthy enough to travel and then I'll get it up to him. I give it 50-50 odds of it even making it to me. I can do that with a big plastic bin, greenhouse and my existing lights/thermostats, etc with little effort and no cross contamination with Fezzik.

Being 1-4 months old fits the storyline. Friend of a friend of a friend situation, I've supplied care FAQs from this site (also famous photo of sulcata-thru-drywall to know what to expect), also links to GST two videos which have good info on why not to get a Sulcata and the care babies need. Friend-once-removed is fiercely trying to convince him to care for it properly or give it up. Likelihood of caring for it properly is slim, I figure it will die first, but hoping for the best.

Also, its funny, I don't know if I entered the wrong birthday when I signed up, but my birthday is actually tomorrow, LOL but thanks for all the well wishes!

Sorry for the initial curveballI should’ve clicked on the actual picture before commenting definitely under a year!

Be so cute if you get him