Thomas is One Year Old Today

[Tom]

That size is remarkable for the age. And the shell colors are so rich and beautiful.

 

[Len B]

It's been another month. Thomas is doing fine. Some pics from today Weighed her this morning It's been hot here with humidity, but a nice breeze has been blowing. Hope the breeze keeps blowing.

 

[ZenHerper]

Lemon balm is loving the weather...

 

[Len B]

Lemon balm is loving the weather...

Yes it does. It's one of a few plants that provide shade and helps hold moisture that the torts don't eat. It was much bigger, I trimmed it back a week or so ago.

 

[Len B]

I have decided to change Thomas's name to Tomi. That's something I don't usually do. I had a male sulcata named Sylvia and a female named Enoch (Donald's mother) and they both still have those names even though they are no longer here with me. Tomi is doing great and growing nicely, she has grown a little over 2 pounds in the last 2 months. Some pics from today.

 

[Len B]

Tomi along with all the other tortoises have enjoyed our hot and wet August. We've had over 9 inches of rain and the average is less than 3 inches. She has gained about a pound and a half this month. Here she is relaxing this afternoon

 

[Len B]

Tomi is doing great and growth is still steady. Weighed her today and 10 pounds at a year and a half old

 

[nicoleann2214]

Tomi is doing great and growth is still steady. View attachment 333032 Weighed her today and 10 pounds at a year and a half old View attachment 333033

Our tortoises are about the same weight and same age too. Yours has beautiful growth.

 

[Len B]

Our tortoises are about the same weight and same age too. Yours has beautiful growth.

Who did you get Nova from? He looks great.

 

[nicoleann2214]

Who did you get Nova from? He looks great.

I actually bought him from a pet store, “Country max” I didn’t know anything about what to do for him or anything. Tom helped me out and I give him credit for the growth because without him he would’ve been in an open top enclosure. But he did excellent for a store bought baby tortoise.

 

[Len B]

I actually bought him from a pet store, “Country max” I didn’t know anything about what to do for him or anything. Tom helped me out and I give him credit for the growth because without him he would’ve been in an open top enclosure. But he did excellent for a store bought baby tortoise.

You've done a fine job raising him.

 

[nicoleann2214]

You've done a fine job raising him.

Thank you!

 

[Len B]

Tomi was out early this morning. Weighed her And gave her breakfast She is 19 months old and doing fine.

 

[Len B]

Weighed Tomi today She will be 2 years old in March and growing nicely.

 

[ALICE_in_Wonderland]

Happy Birthday Thomas!

He looks great Len. Everyone seems to grow them faster than me. Even my own tortoises. Dean used to regularly get them to that size at 12 months. When I raise them, they only get 800-1000 by 12 months. Diet, hydration, temps and conditions always seem pretty similar. I've never been able to figure out the difference.

Maybe Sun exposure?

 

[Tom]

Maybe Sun exposure?

Mine get regular sunning, but the more they are outside the slower they grow. Ive done side-by-side experiments to verify this multiple times with multiple species. I've observed this in other people's tortoises in other parts of the county too, so climate doesn't matter either.

 

[ALICE_in_Wonderland]

Mine get regular sunning, but the more they are outside the slower they grow. Ive done side-by-side experiments to verify this multiple times with multiple species. I've observed this in other people's tortoises in other parts of the county too, so climate doesn't matter

I meant by the sun was exposure to the ability to make D3. I don't know where you are state wise but from October to February if your above Savannah Georgia humans are not making vitamin D when exposed to the sun.

 

[Tom]

I meant by the sun was exposure to the ability to make D3. I don't know where you are state wise but from October to February if your above Savannah Georgia humans are not making vitamin D when exposed to the sun.

They get sun, indoor UV and D3 supplementation in several ways.

Lack of sun or D3 would eventually cause MBD, not slower growth.

 

[Len B]

Tomi is 2 years old this week. She is doing fine and is very active with the longer daylight hours. She got a coconut oil bath today. I weighed her a few days ago, she's 18 pounds.

 

[Yvonne G]

I see you've decided Thomas is now Tomi. Yeah, she certainly looks big enough to know for sure. And she's a beauty!