Age?

[abra]

I'm just wondering how you can tell Russian Tortoise's age? I just got my baby from Petco and I was wondering how old he is Here are some pictures, if you can't tell from them I'll post more using my actual camera (I used my cell). And if those don't work can you just tell me how? THANKS!

His cute little face

 

[coreyc]

when did you take those pic you should get rid of the pellets an get some cypress mulch

 

[moswen]

i agree with coreyc-- get rid of those pellets!! i feel like i'm just following you around from post to post today abra lol!

it's hard to tell how old a tortoise is, yours looks like a juvenile at least, possably young adult... but how old he is in years is pretty much impossible without records... unless there's a way that i don't know about.

the problem is all torts grow at different rates, this can be due to genetics, how it's fed, where it's housed... there are so many variables. if you could give his scl and weight we may be able to tell you if he's a mature adult or not. they start packing on the lbs when they're about done growing, just like us. skinny little teenagers turn into daddy's beer guts and mamma thighs when we're parents.

 

[abra]

I am getting rid of the pellets this week That's just what came with the set that I got for wicked cheap haha, I'm going shopping for him sometime this week so he'll have cypress mulch/coconut coir mix for his substrate soon!

Haha, I've been posting a lot today cause I'm bored So thanks for the answers! Whats scl? Length?

 

[moswen]

it's okay, i love to be of assistence! i posted like a maniac back in april when i first joined!

good to know you're going to get the substrate changed, i'm also a sucker for a bargain!

SCL stands for straight carapace length, as in set your tortoise down by a ruler and whatever he measures from one end of his shell to the other is what we call the "length" of the torotise. we don't go from front to back with a tape measurer over the top of the tortoise, because that's not an accurate measurement of his length. so you'll see a lot of "(blank) inches scl" when ppl talk about length.

 

[abra]

Okay I'll measure him in a bit, I just have to find a ruler haha I'm so happy with him! He hasn't done much since I got him but today he has literally come out of his shell

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

He looks good, very hard to pin point an age based on growth.

 

[abra]

He's 4 1/4 inches, I don't have a scale so I can't weigh him though :/

 

[Kristina]

He is most likely between 3 and 6 years old. That is as far as anyone can really narrow it down. He is also definitely wild caught.

Are you positive he is a "he?"

 

[abra]

So I think he's a juvenile?

---

Yes, his tail is always off to the side if you want I can post a picture?

 

[Kristina]

My females carry their tails to the side. There is more to it than just that - tail length, anal scutes, and whether there is a hook on the end of the tail. Post a pic and we can remove all doubt

Juvenile if female, young adult if male, at that size. It has nothing to do with age - sexual maturity comes with size.

 

[abra]

Okay! I'll post some pictures in a new thread in a second

 

[Laura]

4 1/2 inches? he looks so much bigger and bulkier in the pics!!

 

[abra]

He does

 

[tortoisenerd]

If you post a picture from behind and underneath, we'd be glad to sex him for you. Girls can hold their tails to the side too, but the boys tails are much longer and come to a point at the end. Your tort might still grow a tad (I see white between the scutes, which is where the shell expands).

 

[GBtortoises]

Probably more like 6-10 years old. Tortoises from harsh climates like Russians experience don't grow as quickly in the wild as they do in captivity.

 

[tortoises101]

Looks like a juvenile still. Russian torts average at around 5-8", so yours still has a bit of growing to do.

I agree with GBtortoises. Russians are only active 3-6 months in the wild, and in such climates where they live food is scarce and the weather is pretty cold for a tortoise. CB (captive bred) animals always grow faster than their wild counterparts.

 

[abra]

Okay thanks guys

 

[abra]

I did here's the thread

http://tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Is-Rambo-a-girl

everyone said he's a boy but you can look for yourself

 

[abra]

Hhaha