Two years old and officially a boy

[Lyn W]

Thanks diamondbp Here are shots taken at same time as first - there seemed to be quite a bit of tail swishing going on during that soak! I suspected I had a male when I first started reading the forums and read about the v or u shaped notch at rear but then thought vet would know as he said he was a reptile specialist - not much of one though it seems! Will try to get a pic of her plastron next time, Lola is about to have a name change - although Lola was a man in the Kink's song!

 

[keepergale]

Benny is a looker. No offense but he wasn't the prettiest baby judging by your photos. He certainly is handsome now. It's interesting how they change.

 

[Lyn W]

I agree Keepergale It is very interesting how they change. I've not had mine since it was a baby but I didn't realise they could change colour so drastically as they age. Is that something they all do naturally or is it affected by conditions exposure to sun etc? Benny is a beautiful colour now though and I wonder if blondes have more fun in the tortoise world too!

 

[Sh3wulf]

Benny is in the priesthood of tortoises. No female temptations lol

There was a thread on the forum where people were observing the colours that tortoise grew up and the environment. There seemed to be some correlation made to the environment having an effect because they are trying to develop camouflage.

Benny began his life in a big clear terrarium with light coir

 

[Lyn W]

Yes I can see that would make sense Sh3wulf.
My girl - or probably boy - will be celibate too- its very unlikely a member of the opposite sex will show up here lol

 

[Sh3wulf]

I took an overhead of Benny the other day. Wanted to share for those that love him as much as I do.

 

[Sh3wulf]

Benny is continuing to thrive, even though I'm feeling like an inadequate care giver - Oh my goodness it's always something with him.
Took this shot of him having a soak and put a coke bottle in the pic so it gives some perspective on his continued growth

 

[Levi the Leopard]

He's so beautiful... That light coloring is exactly what I wanted! (Don't tell Levi )

 

[Gillian M]

View attachment 99817
View attachment 99818View attachment 99819
He was not happy with that last shot

A gorgeous tortoise. GOD bless.

 

[Gillian M]

Don't think I'm joking when I say you have the prettiest leopard on the forum to me. I'm in love with that type of pattern on Leos. I really appreciate the photos

I agree with that.

 

[Gillian M]

View attachment 107076
Here was Benny when I brought him home. Four months old. Found this forum that same month and thank goodness, cause everything I was doing was sooooo wrong!!

Wonderful tort....can't stop looking at the pics time and once again.

Don't worry about having made mistakes-we all did, as beginners. Ask questions and read care sheets, whenever in doubt.

 

[Gillian M]

I agree Keepergale It is very interesting how they change. I've not had mine since it was a baby but I didn't realise they could change colour so drastically as they age. Is that something they all do naturally or is it affected by conditions exposure to sun etc? Benny is a beautiful colour now though and I wonder if blondes have more fun in the tortoise world too!

Lola too, has a wonderful colour. GOD bless.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

One of the prettiest leopards I have ever seen.
Benny is stunning.
Thank you for posting.

 

[Sh3wulf]

Thanks all. Pretty attached to him and love seeing him getting bigger and bigger

 

[MPRC]

Beautiful leopard.

 

[memo1987]

wow! that's a very handsome tortoise!
I like the color of the caparace/shell
I want mine look like that one
And is really big for just 2 years!

 

[Sh3wulf]

wow! that's a very handsome tortoise!
I like the color of the caparace/shell
I want mine look like that one
And is really big for just 2 years!

Thanks. We really love seeing him grow and showing him off.
I believe that he is a bit on the big side from what I have seen posted, but he's my first shell baby so I can't be sure

 

[Sh3wulf]

the boy taking his inherited friend out for a walk

 

[Gillian M]

View attachment 146684 the boy taking his inherited friend out for a walk

What a wonderful pic!

 

[Sh3wulf]

Three years old now. Time is flying