General Care Discussion :: Size of a 5-year-old RES

[eyhy]

Hi,

My turtle is now 5 years old, it's size is about 3.5 times 3 inches, is it normal? Some turtles in pet shops claimed to be about 3 years old but already bigger than mine. How long can a home kept RES live? THanks.

eyhy

[kneecole]

"3.5 times 3 inches"

i'm confused....

i don't know much about "normal" growth rates.... but if you're saying he's 3 inches i'd say that's a little on the small size for his age. i've had my turts for 15 months are they are at 3 inches now....

[missibsu]

I'm confused by your size listing as well. Turtles are measured by shell length without the curve, head or tail.

That being said, the size of your turtle will depend on genetics and overall care. If your turt has the proper set up and care, then I wouldn't worry about size.

[eyhy]

sorry for causing confusion. I measure the shell, 3.5" from just below the head to just above the tail ( that means 3.5" in length) and 3" from left to right as turtle looks quite an oval.

eyhy

[sonyj]

3 inches is about the length a turtle should be at a year old. An inch of growth for each year after that is good.

[eyhy]

oh my god, what should I do then?
Mine is especially small but it seems that RES in HK are smaller usually b/c not enough space.

eyhy

[missibsu]

What is your set up like and what is the diet like? If you are doing everything right, then I don't think there is a need for worry, it could just be genetics.

[Turtleboy]

turtles aren't like fish... their size is not determined by their space, but on their diets, genes etc

[samandnelly]

Hm...it's supposed to get 4" by the first year...

[sonyj]

Hm...it's supposed to get 4" by the first year...

I've read it both ways. Generally from what I've researched, closer to three inches is a better growth rate. As owners what we should want to see is slow and steady growth. Too fast of growth and large growth spurts are not a healthy way for our turtles to grow.

[marisa]

eyhy, is your turtle healthy? Are you giving him a good habitat to live in? If so, I don't think I'd be overly concerned about his size.

Turtles grow the most in the first 3 years of life, and more slowly after that (I keep reading about this inch a year measure in threads, but really have only seen it here). Did you have him since he was a hatchling? If so, was he unusually small? I have an eastern painted who was EXTREMELY small compared to his siblings when he came out of the nest (til now he's been the smallest turtle I've ever seen, part of his shell wasn't even fully formed when I got him). He's grown beautifully, but is markedly smaller and lighter than his siblings, and he will always be so. But he's healthy, and that's all that matters.

Don't try to overcompensate for his small size by feeding him more, etc. Just provide a balanced diet and keep him in good living conditions.

[eyhy]

Ironside(turtle's name) grows about 0.4" a year. When it was very young , it refused to eat turtle food so i gave it vegetable, seafood like shrimp,fish,squid and mosquito (if i caught one)etc. Actually it was bought with another two turtles but they failed to live so Ironside is obviously the strongest one.

eyhy