My burm, a labyrinth, is about three years old now and is only about eight feet. That's not even three inches per month. He's very healthy (not thin or obese), eats every Sunday without fail, sheds well, and has an excellent disposition.

Personally, I don't care whether he grows quickly or slowly - I like him just the same, regardless of his growth rate. I can only guess that his slow growth rate may be in part related to the fact that he is a genetic morph (being labyrinth). I only say that because of things I've heard about abberant genetics having a negative affect on an animals fitness. For example, I've read that for snakes in general, not just burms, albinos are more prone to respiratory issues, as well as impaired vision, and other disorders, however great or slight. Perhaps stunted growth rate and/or size potential are also one of those slight side effects of the abberant genetics?

Does that sound plausable?

- Mark

[ Hide Replies ]

• Growth in males vs. females - question: - Antegy, Tue Jul 1 11:03:30 2003
• Hey Brian, will this keep you coming back... - Carmichael, Tue Jul 1 15:46:43 2003
• Heck yes it will,... - BrianSmith, Tue Jul 1 17:15:33 2003
• RE: Heck yes it will,... - Carmichael, Wed Jul 2 20:24:35 2003
• What about growth rate? - neogeo, Tue Jul 1 21:01:04 2003
• My burm doesn't have that rate either... - Antegy, Wed Jul 2 07:46:41 2003
• Rats, not mice - JDP, Wed Jul 2 09:33:22 2003
• RE: Growth in males vs. females - question: - JDP, Wed Jul 2 09:36:11 2003