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Hello from Hong Kong!
Posted:
Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:52 pmby AV
Hi everyone!
I got my baby RES about 2 months ago. He's about 1- 1.5 inches.... but I have no idea how old he is...
is there any website that can tell me what size they are meant to be at each age??
or can anyone tell me???
cheers!
P.S. This website is AWESOME! I got so much info on my turtle and how to set up a tank!! THANKS SO MUCH!
Posted:
Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:55 amby sonyj
Welcome to the forum. You really can not judge their exact age by their size since so many different factors make up how they grow such as genetics, habitat, health, overfeeding etc.
Usually hatchlings range in size from .08 inches to 1.25 inches when they are hatched. So going by this info you can guess that he is probably still under the first 6 months or so of his life ever give or take a little. But this is just an estimate and you can never know exactly his age unless you know his hatching date.
Posted:
Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:44 amby missibsu
Welcome!
I would add that I have learned that around an inch a year for growth is good. However, that too may vary. Most important thing is making sure your turt doesn't grow too fast, because it can lead to shell problems and internal organ problems.
Posted:
Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:33 pmby samandnelly
They'll start out at about 1 inch and in 10 days they should grow about a half inch more, but afterwards growth is slower and more steady. I've heard 4 inches per year, but who knows.
Posted:
Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:14 pmby CountryGirl68
When I was looking for similar information, I came across this:
How fast do they grow?
The growth rate of turtles depends strongly on the feeding. At an average growth rate, full size will be reached in between 15 and 20 years, with the turtle growing to saucer size in around 5 years. However, turtles can grow much faster if they are fed more than is necessary.
A turtle can be kept small by limiting its feeding, but underfeeding is not recommended. Underfed turtles are weak and disease prone, and are unlikely to live for more than 12 - 18 months.
Posted:
Tue Jul 25, 2006 10:50 pmby missibsu
Kels, are you sure that you haven't heard 4 inches at the end of the first year? 4 inches a year is a bit much. However, mine were about 4 inches at the end of my first year of owning them. I'm not sure of their exact birthday.
Posted:
Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:07 amby samandnelly
Ah, the vet told me that, but I guess it depends on how much they feed them? I'm a little inexperienced so I'm always going by what the vet tells me.