A crack at the age?

[C_Gines]

Hello, I understand the difficulty of figuring out Sulcata ages. However I just ased this tiny guy from a reptile shop near my house. I am not naive enough to fully believe he is 2 years old. Any guesses?

 

[Blakem]

At that size, mine was almost 4 months old. But, it could be 8-10 months old. It's hard to tell.

 

[C_Gines]

Yeah I figured. Thank you for such a quick reply!

 

[C_Gines]

Is it just me or does his shell look a little lopsided on the right side? I could just be nitpicking. I'm just wary since I did do a lot of research on early causes of shell deformation and I want to make sure he is as healthy as possible.

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

I personally would not buy this Sulcata if a breeder is claiming it is two years old. It would have had to receive very substandard care to be this size at an age close to two years. Hopefully it is much younger.

 

[C_Gines]

It was shipped from a breeder in FL to a local reptile shop. I've received many different guesses on the age from 6 months-2 years. That's why I was wondering the opinions of you guys.

 

[Speedy-1]

There are so many variables , it is hard to say . If you want a comparison this is Speedy about a year and 1/2 ;

 

[C_Gines]

Thank you for the photo! Very good looking!

 

[Speedy-1]

It was shipped from a breeder in FL to a local reptile shop. I've received many different guesses on the age from 6 months-2 years. That's why I was wondering the opinions of you guys.

This is just another "guestimate" but I would guess a lot closer to 6 months !

 

[Pearly]

Welcome to the forum. I keep the Redfooted. To me your tort looks like a few month old baby, not even yearling yet. He sure is very cute! Do you have a name for him/her?

 

[C_Gines]

We are calling him Tortellini for now but nothing permanent yet!

 

[Jodie]

Unfortunately it is possible, if he has been kept dry, that he is 2 years old. I had a leopard hatchling that was started dry. I had him for a year, and he was less than 50 grams. My hatchlings are less than 3 months, and over 70 grams.

 

[Blakem]

Is the lopsided side squooshy at all? Feel around the whole shell for that. It should be tough. Read care in the sulcata section to see if you're doing things right. What are your temperatures (basking, warm side, cool off side, night time)? Daily soaks? Open or closed tank?

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I am fostering a couple of small Sulcata. First of all,remember, they all grow at different rates, and if the breeder raised him dry, that's trouble.....So here's Daisy Mae

 

[Maggie Cummings]

That's Daisy Mae, she's 2 years and will eat anything...here's her weight

 

[Maggie Cummings]

This is Pansy. She's about the size of a ping pong ball 3 inches. I had forgotten how much work and worry is involved in babies....

 

[C_Gines]

Is the lopsided side squooshy at all? Feel around the whole shell for that. It should be tough. Read care in the sulcata section to see if you're doing things right. What are your temperatures (basking, warm side, cool off side, night time)? Daily soaks? Open or closed tank?

I have read all of Tom's posts and countless other ones before even considering having another creatures life in my hands I must assure you. His whole shell is reasonably solid. He is very active and gets his daily soaks and he loves Sulcata grass mix I have planted for him in his 47" x 27" home. He has a cool side (76 degrees) and a warm side (105 degrees). He also has his humidity box. I just am hoping that his shell wont be permanently lopsided. If so I will love him regardless.

PS. I feel bad calling him a him but I have no way of knowing lol.

 

[C_Gines]

Hello, I understand the difficulty of figuring out Sulcata ages. However I just ased this tiny guy from a reptile shop near my house. I am not naive enough to fully believe he is 2 years old. Any guesses?View attachment 165212View attachment 165213View attachment 165214View attachment 165211

I meant to say purchased.....

 

[Speedy-1]

I didn't really notice anything that looked lopsided from your pics . They all have their little imperfections , just like people do ! It would be nice to know the age , but its not really that important . I know you will give him proper care and hopefully he will thrive for you !

 

[SarahM82]

These are our 3 babies.

#1 is Tortie (aka tortellini) We found him as a tiny baby in our field on our property. At the time he was aged at 5-6 weeks. Going off that today he is 14 1/2 - 15 1/2 weeks old (about 3.5 months). He (or she) was 88 grams today. (these pics were just taken.)

These 2 babies we purchased 1 week ago today. They hatched on Jan 18th so they are 3.5 weeks old.

Baby #2 was 48 grams today

Baby #3 was 42 grams today