I was a little worried about that growth rate - but each year he doesn't grow much in the spring, has a spurt in the summer, and then mellows out in the fall. I admit to possibly over-feeding him during the first year. He also did not hibernate until the 2nd year. That was intentional.

He seems a little light for his length. His father is about .25" longer and weighs about 600 grams, or 165 grams more than Gustav. The old man's shell is also more domed. So is the mother's. I don't know if Gustav's shell will change shape as he matures, or if his diet has altered his shell development, or even if that's just natural variation between parents and offspring. BTW his mother is about 6.5" and 950-1000 grams.

Plus, like his father, he has been frantically crawling around in his tub, waiting to get out and mate!! These guys are burning up calories all the time. I let them spend a little time with the females while indoors, but not too much or else they'll drive them crazy.

[ Hide Replies ]

• Gustav - my first hatchling - bradtort, Mon Mar 20 06:56:48 2006
• RE: Gustav - my first hatchling - EJ, Mon Mar 20 08:33:46 2006
• RE: Gustav - my first hatchling - bradtort, Mon Mar 20 08:54:33 2006
• RE: Gustav - my first hatchling - Matt J, Mon Mar 20 19:44:50 2006