Normal growth? Help me :(

[Oxalis]

UPDATE 11/29/2017: I notice he eats A LOT more grass than he used to before....not in overall amounts, but just the fact that he's grazing around and eating grass is newer behavior I've noticed, and a welcoming one! His weigh-in today was 12,830g which is nice. I expect a 4.5 year old tortoise to be bigger but hey, maybe that's normal.

Here are some pictures from today:

Lovely eyes!

 

[Tom]

30 pounds at 4 years old is well within normal. Don't know why you'd expect larger. And if I remember correctly, you moved him outside full time at a small size. They grow slower outside. So 30 pounds for one that been outside as long as yours is impressive.

It is fantastic when they realize they are grass eaters.

 

[thegame2388]

30 pounds at 4 years old is well within normal. Don't know why you'd expect larger. And if I remember correctly, you moved him outside full time at a small size. They grow slower outside. So 30 pounds for one that been outside as long as yours is impressive.

It is fantastic when they realize they are grass eaters.

Latest update: Nothing major to report. Weighs 13,530g or 29.82lbs. This January 2018 will mark four years that I've had him. He will be 4.5 years old.

 

[chemprentice]

Latest update: Nothing major to report. Weighs 13,530g or 29.82lbs. This January 2018 will mark four years that I've had him. He will be 4.5 years old.

He is a gorgeous looking fella!

 

[Maro2Bear]

Looking great.

 

[Tom]

That is right around normal size for mine at 4 years old too.

 

[Oxalis]

Latest update: Nothing major to report. Weighs 13,530g or 29.82lbs. This January 2018 will mark four years that I've had him. He will be 4.5 years old.

Aww, happy fourth birthday, little dude! He looks quite happy in these photos! Hope you had a wonderful holiday season as well.

 

[thegame2388]

March 2018 Update:

First off, I can't believe it's been four years since this thread first started. Time flew by quick! With that said, this little monster is now 14,040g or 30.95lbs.

I have a feeling he's going to outgrow his outdoor enclosure box (he can make a 360 turn, but he might be too wide to exit the door in the next year or two).

 

[Jay Bagley]

March 2018 Update:

First off, I can't believe it's been four years since this thread first started. Time flew by quick! With that said, this little monster is now 14,040g or 30.95lbs.

I have a feeling he's going to outgrow his outdoor enclosure box (he can make a 360 turn, but he might be too wide to exit the door in the next year or two).

He looks great!!

 

[Oxalis]

March 2018 Update:

First off, I can't believe it's been four years since this thread first started. Time flew by quick! With that said, this little monster is now 14,040g or 30.95lbs.

I have a feeling he's going to outgrow his outdoor enclosure box (he can make a 360 turn, but he might be too wide to exit the door in the next year or two).

Sulcatas grow fast, don't they!

 

[thegame2388]

That is right around normal size for mine at 4 years old too.

Just a quick question. I'm leaving for the holidays for about 12 days. I'm having someone come every 3 days to put some food for him and leave. I have cameras set up just in case he doesn't go back inside (which I'm no worried about).

But my issue is more that, since it's cold, he probably won't even come out PERIOD, so my friend will just place the food inside his night box.

My question is, what if he doesn't come out at all and/ior doesn't eat at all during these 9-12 days? (this is assuming, for whatever reason, that he doesn't even eat the food we place inside his night box).

 

[Tom]

Just a quick question. I'm leaving for the holidays for about 12 days. I'm having someone come every 3 days to put some food for him and leave. I have cameras set up just in case he doesn't go back inside (which I'm no worried about).

But my issue is more that, since it's cold, he probably won't even come out PERIOD, so my friend will just place the food inside his night box.

My question is, what if he doesn't come out at all and/ior doesn't eat at all during these 9-12 days? (this is assuming, for whatever reason, that he doesn't even eat the food we place inside his night box).

What temp is the night box at? I bump mine up to 86 in winter and all of mine continue coming out and eating.

I wouldn't put the food inside the night box, unless that is what you normally do. I'd leave the food in the same place you always leave it.

Do you feed him hay yet? If yes, I'd leave hay and a bunch of opuntia pads for him. Does he eat opuntia? I can't remember where you are, but if you want some free pads, we can try to meet up.

 

[thegame2388]

What temp is the night box at? I bump mine up to 86 in winter and all of mine continue coming out and eating.

I wouldn't put the food inside the night box, unless that is what you normally do. I'd leave the food in the same place you always leave it.

Do you feed him hay yet? If yes, I'd leave hay and a bunch of opuntia pads for him. Does he eat opuntia? I can't remember where you are, but if you want some free pads, we can try to meet up.

Night box is 80-85F 24/7.

I can put he food outside which is where it normally is (about 2 feet outside this nightbox ramp) but I'm afraid because it's pretty chill outside, that he won't even step out to explore. I'm okay with having someone place food inside his enclosure every 3 days or so.

 

[Big Charlie]

Night box is 80-85F 24/7.

I can put he food outside which is where it normally is (about 2 feet outside this nightbox ramp) but I'm afraid because it's pretty chill outside, that he won't even step out to explore. I'm okay with having someone place food inside his enclosure every 3 days or so.

Where are you? How low are the daytime temperatures? If the box is warm enough, he will probably come out every day. Charlie does, even if it is only for an hour. The first year I had his night box, Charlie didn't come out everyday. I think it wasn't warm enough. He didn't eat for a really long time. If your tortoise doesn't eat for 12 days, he'll be fine.

 

[thegame2388]

Where are you? How low are the daytime temperatures? If the box is warm enough, he will probably come out every day. Charlie does, even if it is only for an hour. The first year I had his night box, Charlie didn't come out everyday. I think it wasn't warm enough. He didn't eat for a really long time. If your tortoise doesn't eat for 12 days, he'll be fine.

Okay that sounds much better. I live in the Southwest so about 60-75F day time temps, but inside his night box, it's 85F.

I'll have a friend place food inside his nightbox every 3 days or so.

 

[thegame2388]

Yearly November/December comparison photos. Same prop! He weighs about 40lbs but I will update later

Only "issue" is that he only eats what I give him. In other words, he doesn't walk around the backyard and eat the TON of grass, hay, leafy greens, weeds, and general green vegetation around. We have greens everywhere!!!!!!!

 

[thegame2388]

What temp is the night box at? I bump mine up to 86 in winter and all of mine continue coming out and eating.

I wouldn't put the food inside the night box, unless that is what you normally do. I'd leave the food in the same place you always leave it.

Do you feed him hay yet? If yes, I'd leave hay and a bunch of opuntia pads for him. Does he eat opuntia? I can't remember where you are, but if you want some free pads, we can try to meet up.

Hi Tom. Just a quick question (to anyone else that can answer too). Tort is almost 6 now (in August) but in the past 1.5 weeks or so, he just doesn't come out of his outdoor enclosure. Temps are 85-90F 24/7. The only time he eats is if I actually pick him up and remove him and place him outside, then I'll feed. Other than that, even today, he just doesn't move from his corner spot in his enclosure. What do you suggest? He'll eat every 2-3 days when I force him out, but otherwise, he'd probably still be inside this entire time if it weren't for me.

 

[Big Charlie]

Hi Tom. Just a quick question (to anyone else that can answer too). Tort is almost 6 now (in August) but in the past 1.5 weeks or so, he just doesn't come out of his outdoor enclosure. Temps are 85-90F 24/7. The only time he eats is if I actually pick him up and remove him and place him outside, then I'll feed. Other than that, even today, he just doesn't move from his corner spot in his enclosure. What do you suggest? He'll eat every 2-3 days when I force him out, but otherwise, he'd probably still be inside this entire time if it weren't for me.

What are your outdoor temperatures? Where are you located? That doesn't sound right. If he is warm enough, he should be coming out to eat every day.

 

[Tom]

Hi Tom. Just a quick question (to anyone else that can answer too). Tort is almost 6 now (in August) but in the past 1.5 weeks or so, he just doesn't come out of his outdoor enclosure. Temps are 85-90F 24/7. The only time he eats is if I actually pick him up and remove him and place him outside, then I'll feed. Other than that, even today, he just doesn't move from his corner spot in his enclosure. What do you suggest? He'll eat every 2-3 days when I force him out, but otherwise, he'd probably still be inside this entire time if it weren't for me.

When is the last time you soaked him?

 

[thegame2388]

When is the last time you soaked him?

About a week. I figured it could be a soaking issue but I've been consistent (either right or wrong) since August. Nothing out of routine.

I soaked him today and he pooped.