General Care Discussion :: Tiny turtle.

[joeybsmooth]

Is there any reasons that a that turtle that is eating well could not be growing?

Edit

I just remembered that it could be a parasite

[TheComputerGremlin]

Well, yeah, a parasite could be the answer. The only other definite thing I could think of is genetics. If the turtle had an unusually small mother and father, it's certainly possible that he could end up smaller than expected as well. Also, mistreatment prior to having an owner, such as in the breeding farms. I've heard, though I don't know how reliable it is, that there are ways of keeping turtles smaller so they can sell them super small even when they are older, like keeping them in extra cold water to stunt their growth. I'm not sure about that one, though.

[joeybsmooth]

Like I had Spaz for almost half a year and he is not even to 2 inches . I feed him well, but he is just so small .

[SpotsMama]

If I were you I'd take a stool sample to a vet and ask to have it checked for parasites. That's pretty small for a year and a half.

Can you describe what and how much and how often you feed him?

[joeybsmooth]

He gets sticks and plants .

Aleast 4 sticks a day.

I try my best to feed him more fruits but they just stay in the tank for a week.

[megcornell]

Wait, have you had him 1.5 years or .5 years?

Have you had him since he was a hatchling? Being in adverse conditions before you got him could have stunted his growth if he'd been there for any length of time.

[ch12ag]

he's not gonna be more than 2 inches after only half a year. should be bout 4 to 4 n half inches after a year

[joeybsmooth]

I have had him for .5 years. And the tank I got him from was more like a turtle prison.

And he was an halfy when I got him.

[TheComputerGremlin]

I would say he seems a bit behind, but only a bit. I'm guessing he should be around 3 inches by now, assuming perfect conditions. Do you have a vet that you trust? Any vet can look for parasites in stool, not just a herp vet. I think they often send them out to technicians anyways.

[joeybsmooth]

I will try to get a local vet to look at his sample.

Now just the task of getting his pooh.

[VanishingReality]

Crush was dollar coin sized when we got him and he is 2.7" now and we have had him for eleven months. We figure that it was either the time he spent at the store or he's just small. If you are really worried, like we were, you could get his poop checked.

[SpotsMama]

Ok - if he's grown two almost 2 inches in 6 months, then he's not doing too badly. I thought at first you said he was under 2 inches after he'd been with you for 1.5 years.

I'd still get a stool sample checked. It's always a good idea.