General Care Discussion :: turtle growth

[Tilted]

greeting turtle people,

I have had my res since early november and they are doing very well. However, I have a question about their growth. One of my turtles, Foster, has grown significantly, he was slightly less than 4 cm when I got him and now he is a solid 5 cm.

However, Sheldon is a different story. He was the same size as Foster when I got him and now he 4 cm. There is a noticable difference between the two of them now. Otherwise, I think he is healthy, clear eyes, healthy appetite, he seems generally happy.

Could it be that they are difference sexes and that is why Foster is growing so much faster? Any clues as to why this might be happening?

[cam722]

there are many reasons for different growth rates, could be that one is eating more.. or genetics, and as you mentioned different sexes. I'm not sure I'd worry yet

A side note, you don't want them growing too fast because that can cause problems too. Around 3" at a year old would be good ..

[Turtle addict]

They all grow different, I have two the same age and one is 3 inches and one is still 1 inch. Like humans they all grow on their own schedule.

[Pizza]

Yeah, there's nothing to worry about, unless you find one twice the size of the other within a year.

[Turtle addict]

These two were the exact same size when I got them in September, they were raised together in the same tank. Now this pic was done in January..they are so different now. Not an issue as long as they grow. Place them on a seperate sheet of paper and trace around them, then next month put them back on and see how much it has grown. I do that with all mine just so I can see where they were and how big they have gotten.

[marisa]

Keeping a record of shell size and weight is good---you have concrete evidence of how your turtles are growing.

[SpotsMama]

Watch them when they eat to be sure the big one isn't scarfing up all the food. They need to share!

[Turtle addict]

With so many I find it better to keep a folder for each one, growth charts with tracings, and inch seperate, fav foods, vet papers,the date I get them and from where, tank size with filter type, everything is right there. If one gets sick I never have to worry about remembering something...it's all in the folder.

[lisajonathan00]

Wow that is great you are doing all that for your turtles. I agree it is so much better to have it all organized like that.

[Turtle addict]

It would help if something happens to me then they can all be cared for. I keep a regular updated pic of them in the folders also so they can look at the pic and be able to figure out which is which...helps with the id'ing of the 11 red ears for others {I can tell who is who by their patterns} along with the others there are two of. With the pics and folders if I am in an accident or something then they can feed them all right and make sure they get the foods they like for treats. Also anything that may be wrong with them...basicly someone could take over with no planning for them to do it. Anyone could walk in here and know who was who and what they are like. Also if I ever have to get rid of one the new parents would know how old they are and have a history of them with all vet visits and everything.