Stunted?

Arecibo33

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A year ago I purchased 2 6m/o male sulcatas. When I got them, they were within a couple grams weight of each other. Now, a year later, one has easily doubled in size while the other remains relatively small. Should I be concerned?
 

tortadise

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Welcome. Are they both kept together I presume? Lots of times one will succumb to the other when kept in too small of an enclosure or sparatic food placement doesn't happen with multiple young animals.
 

Tom

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Yes you should be concerned. This is why they should not be kept in pairs.

I would leave the little one where he is, and move the bigger one to a new enclosure.
 

Arecibo33

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They both eat well and are in a huge enclosure. Actually, funny enough, the small one is a chow hound, thats why we cant figure why he's growing so slow.
they both weighed right at 62 grams, now the small one is only 70 and the big one is 160 grams. Their enclosure is a 2.5 ft x 4 ft. tort table, plus we take them out regularly to graze when the weather is 70 or above.
Trying to figure out how to post a pic of them
 

Arecibo33

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Thank you Tom for directing me to those informative articles. Boy did I fall into that 'oh, he needs a buddy' trap LOL I will be building a second enclosure very soon and hope its not too late for Hammer (the small one)
He seems healthy, he has good color, eats like a pig and moves around a lot, he just hasnt grown much at all in the past year.
Thanks for the info everyone!
 

TortyTom

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I could be talking out of my butt right now because I am in no way an expert but the many times I have read about peoples sullys being small for their age, they are almost always in a tort table. I got my sully when he was 8 mo old and around 100 grams. I have only had him 9 months and he is now over 1400 grams. I have always had him in a closed chamber. A glass top to hold in the humidity, proper lighting and heating and take him outside to graze 4 or 5 times a week, not to mention regular soaks and a large verity of food. I know that they all grow at different rates but I can't help but feel in my gut that the closed chamber has something to do with the growth????
 

Arecibo33

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Ok, Kojak and Hammer are separated, totally new substrate put in (top soil/peat moss blend, no fertilizer), temp and humidity controlled. Now its cross fingers and wait.
 

Tom

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TortyTom said:
I could be talking out of my butt right now because I am in no way an expert but the many times I have read about peoples sullys being small for their age, they are almost always in a tort table...
...I know that they all grow at different rates but I can't help but feel in my gut that the closed chamber has something to do with the growth????

You are absolutely correct. I have observed the same thing many many times.


Arecibo33 said:
Ok, Kojak and Hammer are separated, totally new substrate put in (top soil/peat moss blend, no fertilizer), temp and humidity controlled. Now its cross fingers and wait.

That is good news. Just be aware that it may take a few months for him to adjust to the change and really get going. Be patient. Keep him well hydrated with soaks, and offer some occasional legumes in the diet, like alfalfa, peas or green beans for a little extra protein.

In the pic, it looks like you are using a colored bulb for heat. I recommend against this. It sometimes messes with their heads. I prefer regular white type light bulbs that simulate daylight for daytime, and ceramic heating elements to maintain heat, but still keep it dark at night.
 

Arecibo33

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UPDATE: They guys have been separated for about 4 months and its been a huge improvement. They are both gaining weight, proportionately at the same rate. Little one is now out and about exploring his enclosure a few times daily and is eating regularly and well. The heat source I'm using are zoo-med basking bulbs but have recently switched to the blue heat bulbs. They dont put out quite the same heat but they use them just the same. Soaking daily, the little one loves it but the big one not so much LOL. I think they are going to be fine, thanks to all for the information and inspiration :)
 

Barista5261

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Yaaaaaaaaaaay! [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

I had the same thing happen with my 2 sulcatas and, ever since I separated mine the smaller one had grown significantly [TURTLE]
 
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