Well documented growth data on captive raised greens is almost non-existent. Jud and I have however, kept records on several adults for quite a few years that we have raised from newborns and kept on consistent, but controlled food intake. We have found that greens grow fairly steadily for the first 3 years, usually putting on 2 to 3 feet per year the first two years. Both sexes usually grow at the same rate the first year after birth, but during the second year, the females begin to pull away from the males. Growth starts to slow the 3rd year, and around 4 years of age they start really slowing down, with the male growth rate dropping more dramatically than the females. Between 5 and 10 years of age, females are down to around 6 inches per year, the males much less. After 10 years growth is slower, even in females. A pregnancy would also slow the growth of a female for that year. These are just general growth rates which will vary by individual and feeding regimen. Our greens are well fed, but definitely not overfed, and none of them are anywhere near overweight. Captive males are generally a little larger than their wild counterparts, and male greens in the wild over 10 feet are extremely rare. Females over 15 or 20 years of age are probably down to a growth rate of around an inch or two per year. This would give you some indication on the extreme age of a 20 to 25 foot female in the wild.



Kelly

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