General Care Discussion :: RES growth

[myrtletheturtle]

Im kinda worried on how slowly myrtle is growing. I have had him for like 4 maybe 5 months and he hasn't gotten very big at all. What the average growth rate I kno some grow extremely fast but can it be that he will always be small?

[michael247]

yea same with mine, i had them for 1 year and one of they grew .7 inch the other about .4 inch.

i think they are suppose to grew about 1 inch per year

[myrtletheturtle]

well i think were gonna shoot for the .4 lol

[Pito007]

Ive had mine for a year and hes only 2 inches.

[SpotsMama]

Most of the turtles on here grow to 3" or 4" in their first year. After that they grow slower and slower, maybe an inch a year for awhile, then less, until they stop. Males top out at around 7" to 9" and females at 9" to 12".

Some are smaller and grow slower due to genetics, past history of poor treatment or illness. If it were me and my turtle were growing slower than normal, I'd have the vet check for internal parasites. Parasites aren't uncommon in turtles and frequently cause slow or no growth.

Other things that affect growth rate are temperature (cooler than normal will slow growth), amount and quality of food, and illness.

[myrtletheturtle]

Well he acts perfectly normally he is very happy, he is always hungry i feed him 3 pellets in the morning is this not enough? I also give him lettuce and occasionally carrots His water is about 78 degrees as well...I hope he doesnt have any parasites!!

[SpotsMama]

Here's some info on feeding. It's got everything you ever want to know about what and how much to feed your turtle. After looking it over, if it's still not clear, come on back and we'll try to answer your questions:

http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html

On the stool check, it's pretty routine and doesn't cost that much. My vet charged about $18. I don't think you'd have to even take your turtle in - just a sample of his stool (keep it moist). On the other thing, taking a turtle in for a general checkup isn't a bad idea either as long as the vet knows about reptiles. Here's my standard caution for anyone who might be taking their turtle to see a vet:

If the vet offers to give a vitamin A shot, first make sure the vet is positive your turtle really needs vitamin A and then discuss other alternatives to shots with the vet like eye drops with vitamin A, cod liver oil or food supplements. Several turtles have recently had very bad reactions to vitamin A shots and I think it's best that if vitamin A is needed (and often it's not) the safer methods be used instead.

[roseK]

ive had my guy for 4 months are he has doubled in size when i first got him, he has a little pudge but it aint too bad

sometimes i wish he would stay small...

[eugenetimpog]

I have 3 turtles and they grew at a different pace.

[myrtletheturtle]

well maybe i should wait like another month and see if he has a growth spurt lol!! But if not ill deffiently take him to a vet if theres even one around here!!

[Sweet Lavender]

My turtle grew about 2.5 inches in... hmm, 9 months. XD

[meandmyturtles]

my turtles both grew very fast also, but all turtles like humans are different, my 2 although raised together are very different personalities , Grouch is very friendly outgoing, likes to come out of the tank and wonder and visit, Tuck hisses and bites gets very nervous out of the tank, so when grouch wants out we take him out, and tuck stays in, so I wouldn't worry about your turtle if he seems healthy and is active

[Opus]

Every turtles growth is different.....opus doulbled his size in 5 months