Normal growth? Help me :(

thegame2388

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So I've had my tortoise since late January...and I was wondering if its size/weight is okay. The previous owner said it hatched in late August, meaning I had gotten it at 5 months and it is now 7 months old.



January 30: 48.7g
February 6: 52.6g
February 13: 58.7g
February 20: 67.9g
February 27: 76.1g
March 6: 83.2g
March 13: 90.1g
March 20 99.6g
March 27: 97.5g (he lost 2 grams??? what???)

The pictures posted are from today's weigh-in of 97.5g which is 2g less than last weeks....which kinda freaks me out. Only explanation is that he took a poo and maybe that's it...either way, I was expecting him to be 105g+ :(

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wellington

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Looks good to me. A poop will do it. As long as he doesn't just keep losing, there really isn't nothing to worry about. They all grow at their own pace, so can't really say what's normal size for that age.
 

Saleama

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My 9 month old Sulcatas are between 150grams and 325 gram so yeah, they grow at different rates. As long as growth is steady or doesn't drop dramatically. Believe me, when he takes off, you will wonder what you were ever worried about. Try feeding more and more often. Mine went from a small amount to enough so they didn't eat it all and the difference was amazing! Are you feeding every day?
 

WillTort2

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The tort looks fine.

The first picture is quite sharp. What type of camera are you using?
 

Tom

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If I recall, he didn't have the best start. 48 grams for a 5 month old is tiny. But the new growth while you have had him looks pretty promising. It is a good indicator that things are okay and this one is going to make it and be fine. He'll hit a growth spurt soon enough. Don't worry about 2 grams one way or the other.

See all those hairs on your carpet? That's why you don't put them down on the carpet.
 

thegame2388

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Tom said:
If I recall, he didn't have the best start. 48 grams for a 5 month old is tiny. But the new growth while you have had him looks pretty promising. It is a good indicator that things are okay and this one is going to make it and be fine. He'll hit a growth spurt soon enough. Don't worry about 2 grams one way or the other.

See all those hairs on your carpet? That's why you don't put them down on the carpet.

Yes the hair on the carpet just happened to be there. The tort was just modeling for the camera :)

I feed him enough so that there's enough left over everyday. He loves the greens! Doesn't like the Mazuri tho :( Never eats it
 

ascott

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If he does not like the mazuri then that is aok....just means you will need to research greens more to assure you offer the best rounded variety.....:D

There are no two torts that grow identical...none. So, if the tort is healthy (eating, drinking, basking, exercising) then do not worry about the actual size in comparison to others...each is their own.
 

Cowboy_Ken

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Here are my Little Ricky's numbers. Double numbers are from his sibling.

Little Ricky weight.

10/09. 4-5weeks old
63
65

10/16
68
70

10/24
71
73

10/31
78
81

11/7
86
88

11/14
90

11/23
93

11/28
103

12/05
113

12/14
123

12/25
125

1/6
143

1/25
170

2/5
192

2/21
224

3/1
233

3/10
268

3/14
283 4 -1/2" @6monthish

3/20
290

3/27
307

4/6
327

4/21
365

5/24
422

6/9
474

7/20
558

12/14/13
1lb. 12ozs







Tortoise weights in grams
10/09. 4-5weeks old
63
65

10/16
68
70

10/24
71
73

10/31
78
81

11/7
86
88

11/14
90

11/23
93

11/28
103

12/05
113

12/14
123

12/25
125

1/6
143

1/25
170

2/5
192

2/21
224

3/1
233

3/10
268

3/14
283 4 -1/2" @6monthish

3/20
290

3/27
307

4/6
327

4/21
365

5/24
422

6/9
474

7/20
558

12/14/13
1lb. 12ozs.
 

thegame2388

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How can your tort be nearly 2.5x mine (grams wize) at the same age? That's a huge difference!
 

Cowboy_Ken

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They all grow at different rates. Well that and Little Ricky was raised on good old fashioned Oregon weeds. ImageUploadedByTortForum1396011544.950911.jpg
 
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Tom

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thegame2388 said:
How can your tort be nearly 2.5x mine (grams wize) at the same age? That's a huge difference!

The start they get in their first few weeks makes a huge difference. When they are kept dry and dehydrated they grow very slowly, and many don't survive. When they are kept warm, humid and well hydrated, they all survive, thrive and grow at a more normal pace.

This is why I'm always nagging at people to buy from a source that starts them right, and there really are not too many, even today.
 

Tom

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Cowboy_Ken said:
Tom, Little Ricky looks pretty good, huh?

This question puts me in an awkward position Ken. If I say no, I'm a liar. If I say yes, I'm a loud-mouthed braggart... :D

He doesn't look "pretty good". He looks fan-frickin'-tastic! YOU have done a fine job.
 

Tom

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As my Italian in-laws frequently say: "Peace on you!"
 

thegame2388

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New question:

I have his greens, kale, whatever in his bowl but I feel like they "wilt" after a few hours, how do I prevent this? Move the food plate away from the UVB light?
 

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