Sulcata Overall Growth?

[theguy67]

I have Rescued 11 year old sulcata tortoise, who is about 12 inches long, and 10lbs. Obviously this is not a normal size for his age ( or is it?).

My question is, if I get him on a proper diet ( mainly, feeding him enough) will he beable to grow to a nomal size/weight, or is he out of the growing age?


thanks!!!

 

[Tom]

I have asked this question before too. Only time will tell.

 

[theguy67]

well there's gotta be a cut off age, right? Where they stop growing, or would that just be when they reach their potiential?

 

[Tom]

No. Most reptiles continue growing until they die of old age. They reach an adult size and then slow down significantly, but they will keep on growing forever.

 

[theguy67]

No. Most reptiles continue growing until they die of old age. They reach an adult size and then slow down significantly, but they will keep on growing forever.

That's kinda what I was thinking, but I wasn't for sure. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Jacqui]

It does seem that normally they do a pretty decent job of catching up to the more norm size. I would make a guess a lot depends at what stage of life they were lacking and what kind of lacking (amount of food, variety to meet basic nutrient needs or what), may be add in a dash of heredity factors, too.