More Dee. Dusty, and Devon

[Kristina]

So, after just over a week there is more visible growth. They really are suddenly growing in leaps in bounds, where as before I was really worried about them, because they had shown almost no growth at all. In the last 10 days, both Dusty and Devon have gained 10 grams and Dee has gained 20. Dusty is still smaller than Devon, but has just as much growth (Dusty was born slightly smaller than his siblings.)

In order - Dusty, Dee, and Devon

(here is the thread and the pictures that I posted on the first of this month - http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Dee-Dusty-and-Devon-update#axzz1m0jTMuD7 You can really see how Dusty has grown in the last 10 days.)

I tried to show just how smooth they are growing in my last pics, but the dark background of the picture didn't show it very well. Here is a new picture of Dee.

Super-duper close-up

The only thing that I still have issue with is just how under-sized they are for as old as they are. They are WAY behind Kendall and Kasey. I was hoping that they could all share an enclosure by this time, as they are really only about 6 months apart in age, but Kendall and Kasey would positively trample them. Maybe in another year they will have caught up enough to co-habitate.

At least they are finally, FINALLY growing!

 

[Jacob]

Dee Has A Nice Smooth Shell Alright

 

[Kristina]

Cuter than snot, too!

 

[Tom]

They look fantastic. Sure glad they are growing now. Such an odd thing. All of the clutchmates were growing "normally", but they were not housed the same as yours. I have also noticed a slowing on growth for torts that are housed outside 24/7. Tuck and Trey nearly stopped growing over the summer too once I moved them outside full time. They have resumed since being brought inside for the winter. So odd. I just can't explain it.

 

[terryo]

Smooth as silk! They are beautiful Kristina. What are you going to do in the Winter, when they get biggggggggg?

 

[dmarcus]

I have seen a slower growth for my hatchling since I moved him outside as well.

I love how light Dusty and Devon's shells are..

 

[Honey]

They're gorgeous!!!!

 

[Maggie Cummings]

They are so beautiful Kristina. It makes me kinda sad to look at them, I wish I could have kept mine. However, your three are simply beautiful and very smooth...you are doing a great job

 

[tortuga_please]

Beautiful pics, very smooth even in the close up :-D Good job!

 

[l0velesly]

As smooth as can be! They got vibrant shells!

 

[Kristina]

They look fantastic. Sure glad they are growing now. Such an odd thing. All of the clutchmates were growing "normally", but they were not housed the same as yours. I have also noticed a slowing on growth for torts that are housed outside 24/7. Tuck and Trey nearly stopped growing over the summer too once I moved them outside full time. They have resumed since being brought inside for the winter. So odd. I just can't explain it.

It seems that everyone I have spoken too has had the same experience. Now just to figure out the WHY.

Smooth as silk! They are beautiful Kristina. What are you going to do in the Winter, when they get biggggggggg?

LOL, thanks Terry As far as winter, I will manage Up until about three years ago, I had a full working farm, including 13 horses, a herd of dairy goats, poultry, you name it. Needless to say, the Sullies don't scare me much, after cleaning up after and housing several draft horses

They are so beautiful Kristina. It makes me kinda sad to look at them, I wish I could have kept mine. However, your three are simply beautiful and very smooth...you are doing a great job

Thanks I'm not sure that I will actually keep all 5 of mine forever. I am hoping to be able to have a pair (separately housed) or a trio, preferably out of the different bloodlines that I have. Only time will tell

Thank you everyone for the nice comments, they are appreciated!

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Beautiful and Perfect!

 

[dmmj]

The look great nice and smooth.
If I may post a theory on the slower growth, if they are being housed outside could they possibly be eating a more grazing type of diet? could it be simply genetics, some would grow faster than others?

 

[EKLC]

maybe its the exercise they get outdoors

 

[Kristina]

The look great nice and smooth.
If I may post a theory on the slower growth, if they are being housed outside could they possibly be eating a more grazing type of diet? could it be simply genetics, some would grow faster than others?

I don't think that it is genetics, simply becuase it was not only my Sulcatas that did not grow well (and Kendall and Kasey are not related to these three) but it was also my Stars, Greek, and Cherryhead babies.

They did have grass, weeds, lettuces, collards, and other things growing in the enclosure, but I also fed them and watered them daily. I do however suspect that you may be at least partially correct about the grazing.

maybe its the exercise they get outdoors

I don't think so, simply because there is no difference in the activity level now that they are inside compared to when they were outside.

It is a mystery. Don't hesitate to post ideas, because this is a puzzle I would really like to hash out.

Thanks again for the compliments!

I was looking at Dee last night and I can literally see where he has grown in the last few days since I posted these pictures. Amazing.

 

[Arizona Sulcata]

Those are some good looking torts! Congrats!

 

[kbaker]

The look great nice and smooth.
If I may post a theory on the slower growth, if they are being housed outside could they possibly be eating a more grazing type of diet? could it be simply genetics, some would grow faster than others?

I don't think that it is genetics, simply becuase it was not only my Sulcatas that did not grow well (and Kendall and Kasey are not related to these three) but it was also my Stars, Greek, and Cherryhead babies.

They did have grass, weeds, lettuces, collards, and other things growing in the enclosure, but I also fed them and watered them daily. I do however suspect that you may be at least partially correct about the grazing.

maybe its the exercise they get outdoors

I don't think so, simply because there is no difference in the activity level now that they are inside compared to when they were outside.

It is a mystery. Don't hesitate to post ideas, because this is a puzzle I would really like to hash out.

Thanks again for the compliments!

I was looking at Dee last night and I can literally see where he has grown in the last few days since I posted these pictures. Amazing.

I think it's temps...cooler nights, cooler hide spots. And they need to learn where everything is outside.

 

[Kristina]

I agree Kevin. During the day, this past summer, it was actually hotter outside than I keep it in their indoor enclosure during the winter, but the summer nights were cooler than the temps in the house over night.