Fast growing Murray River short neck.

[mcloughlin2]

Has anyone heard of a growth rate this fast?

I have a mate who has grown his murray river short neck turtle to approx 30cm carapace length in 18 months. It currently weighs in at over 1.4kgs. No funny shell deformaty. No health conditions. But boy is she big!

 

[$NaKe PiMp]

must of scarffed it hard

 

[mcloughlin2]

Bloody oath he did! I nearly died when i saw how big it was! :shock:

 

[Vincent21]

It seems over sized. Has it been feeding it too much?

 

[mcloughlin2]

Unsure of how much he fed it. I should also make it clear that it is probably closer to 35cm and closer to a year old.

 

[largeheaded1]

man i have one i got probably a year and a half ago and no where near that big, he has grown a fair bit tho...i feed him maybe twice a week on jus turtle food, feeder fish or mince.

Find out how often he feeds it...if he does everyday it is probably jus due to the amount he is feeding

 

[Tristis]

mine is around 30cm and 18 months,fun what a good diet and heat do.

 

[Eastern Snake Neck]

Hi mcloughlin2 and Tristis

Firstly, let me say that I am offended by your claimed cruelty to Turtles. I'm actually hoping that the pair of you are simply big noting yourselves and that reality is very different to what you have claimed.

To push a turtle to 30cm in 18 months, or 35cm in 12 months is, in my opinion, bestial.

A healthy Emydura macquarii macquarii will be around 75mm at 12 months of age. The weight of the turtle should be about 50g.

mcloughlin2, at 35cm, a healthy turtle would weigh about 4.5kg. Your claim that the turtle in question weights 1.4kg suggests, to me, anything but a healthy animal.

I would like some evidence of your claim that the turtle in question has 'no health conditions'.

Specifically, please:
a) Name the specialist Reptile Veterinarian that has examined this yearling and can confirm that it has 'no health conditions'.
b) Give details of the feeding regime: what is being fed to this animal, how much, how often and at what temperature.
c) Supply photographic proof of the animal in question. A ruler on top of the carapace would be adequate to confirm your size claims and a photograph of the turtle on scales would confirm the low weight claim.

Regards,
Michael.