Normal growth? Help me :(

Big Charlie

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Messages
2,801
Location (City and/or State)
California
If its dropping to 75 when the thermostat is set to 85, that tells me that either you have too much air flow, or not enough heat.

If its getting cold with the door open, that tells me you don't have door flaps, or maybe your flaps are letting in too much cold air.

Just guessing here, but theres got to be a reason why mine are all more active and have more appetite in the same part of the world...
I have door flaps but my tortoise is afraid of them, so if I want him to come out, I'll prop them up. That is when it really gets cold inside. If I leave them closed, he might make it out but he won't go back in, and I'm not always home when that happens.

I have my heat sensor nearer the door so it is probably warmer further in. The heat sensor hangs near where his tail usually is when he is on the heat mat.

He came out today and ate quite a bit.
 

Big Charlie

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Messages
2,801
Location (City and/or State)
California
Do you not offer food in the box?
No, I never have. I haven't fed him in years, other than cutting some roses or hibiscus for him. There is plenty growing in the yard for him to graze year round.

One day a few weeks ago when he didn't want to come out, I threw some hibiscus leaves in with him but he ignored it.
 

Fredkas

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2016
Messages
936
The sun really does have an effect on these guys. All of mine are out and grazing today too. On cold cloudy days I'll see one or two out walking around briefly before going back in the warm box. On sunny days like today, they are all out at the same time and wandering around.

They hate "winter" days as much as I do!!! :D
You are tortoise!
 

thegame2388

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
307
3/24/2017 Update:

20170321_132046.jpg


20170321_132135.jpg


20170321_131958.jpg



20170321_132012(0).jpg


20170321_132030.jpg


20170321_132031(0).jpg


20170321_132003.jpg


Update: Nothing major really. He now weighs 10,472g (23.08lbs). He turns 4 years old in late August, making him about 3.5 years old now. Not sure if that's above or below average weight for his age, but I don't mind the size either way. I removed the humidifier to make more space. My next "concern" will be the width of his doggy-door opening to his outdoor enclosure. He has about 5 inches of wiggle room left before I need to expand the door. But other than that, it's pretty much straightforward.

Also, I can't believe this thread is now 3 years old, almost to the exact day!
 

Oxalis

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Jan 5, 2013
Messages
3,040
Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
3/24/2017 Update:

20170321_132046.jpg


20170321_132135.jpg


20170321_131958.jpg



20170321_132012(0).jpg


20170321_132030.jpg


20170321_132031(0).jpg


20170321_132003.jpg


Update: Nothing major really. He now weighs 10,472g (23.08lbs). He turns 4 years old in late August, making him about 3.5 years old now. Not sure if that's above or below average weight for his age, but I don't mind the size either way. I removed the humidifier to make more space. My next "concern" will be the width of his doggy-door opening to his outdoor enclosure. He has about 5 inches of wiggle room left before I need to expand the door. But other than that, it's pretty much straightforward.

Also, I can't believe this thread is now 3 years old, almost to the exact day!
Looks good. I love the spurs on his arms!! :D
 

teresaf

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
2,023
Location (City and/or State)
Port Charlotte, Florida
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
Can I see a pic of the Mazuri he don't like? Is it the pellet type(rabbit food) or the nugget(dog chow)?
 

thegame2388

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Messages
307
Can I see a pic of the Mazuri he don't like? Is it the pellet type(rabbit food) or the nugget(dog chow)?

That post was years ago, he loves his Mazuri now. But now I'm curious, can you post a picture of the nugget type? I wanna see if that's what I'm feeding him.
 

teresaf

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
2,023
Location (City and/or State)
Port Charlotte, Florida
That post was years ago, he loves his Mazuri now. But now I'm curious, can you post a picture of the nugget type? I wanna see if that's what I'm feeding him.

It's hard to get them to like the Mazuri LS(pellets)...But most like this stuff immediately.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_2017-03-23-23-43-41.png
    Screenshot_2017-03-23-23-43-41.png
    350.3 KB · Views: 17

Oxalis

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Jan 5, 2013
Messages
3,040
Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
20170524_124422.jpg

Update: Growth is looking nice. He's at 11,720g now or 25.8lbs. He's 3 years and 9 months old. Thoughts?
I just love that first photo! I'm thinking of making it the wallpaper on my work computer. ;)
 

Fredkas

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2016
Messages
936
Oh my! he is big! Look at his eyes. So black and deep. The look is mild. I really like his eyes. You did a great job there!
I like last pic the most. I like to see when a sulcata stand up like that. It feels so strong!
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Its always amazing to me how fast they can grow. When they are little we count every gram. Then, within a few months, as they gain size we begin counting by the hundreds of grams, and then by pounds.

So unbelievable that a little 35 gram baby will grow up to be a 55,000 gram monster in such a short time.
 
Top