Other Turtle Discussion :: Growth?

[kaimarion]

Does anyone know how fast a RES grows (inches per year)
Thanx:).

[marisa]

Growth depends on genetics (some turtles grow faster than others), diet (what and how much the turtle is fed) and habitat (including how warm the environment is).

Captive RES, partly because some keepers tend to overfeed them, seem to generally reach around 4 inches (sometimes more) in the first year. Bigger is not necessarily better, though. Slow, steady growth is preferable, and a shell length of around 3 - 3.5 inches is better.

Some say that an inch of growth a year is pretty much the guide, but to me it can be more variable than that. The fastest growth takes place in the first 3 years and subsequently slows down.

[kaimarion]

Well here is another question that has been bugging me.

Would it be better if the pair (male-female) were brought up together or got at seprate times.
Which one would increase the chance of mating?
and to add thanx MARISA.

[missibsu]

Keeping two turtles together has it's own set of problems. If you know that you are definitely getting two and plan to try and keep them together, then start them off together. Just make sure that you set up is large enough.

If purchased at separate times, the new one should be quarantined for at least 90 days. This means two set ups to start with.

Either way you decide to go, mating will happen if they are together. Females will lay eggs regardless of a male being present, so you will have to adapt to those habits anyway. Most people who keep both just assume the eggs aren't viable and toss them out.

Make sure you know what you are getting into with two turtles...I wasn't told the whole truth up front, and I have spent a lot of money because of it. Good Luck!

[kaimarion]

Sorry I am not getting 2 turtles I was just wondering,thanx for the answer.

I'll keep this in mind but as I'am 15 and my sister is moving out next year so I will have more space(stealing her bed room for extra space) and by the time she moves out I will have a job so getting equipment will be no problem , the only problem will be the amount of time it takes to get the equipment.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

What kind of setup are they in now?

[kaimarion]

No I don't have ANY turtles yet I'am still research them so nothing goes wrong when I get them and if I only grt 1 it will be a female RES but before I get them/her I will get all the equipment they/she needs so I plan on having a very happy and health RES or RES's.
I won't be getting them/her the basic stuff I plan on getting the best (reasonable price) equipment I can find so it will probably be a while before I get RES's/RES.