How do you tell how old a tortoise or turtle is?

Answer 1

Since I know someone will say it, counting lines or rings or anything at involves counting anything on a turtle is a myth and holds NO truth in it at all. Some turles grow 10 rings a year and some grow 2, and even after that they aren't always the same from year to year.

To determine the age, you either a) have to have been there at the birth, b) bought it from someone who was or knows the day they were born, or c) if it's wild, you'll never know. Size of turtles can give you an estimation but this will be off by at least a year if not more.

Answer 2

Watch it be born. You can make a good guess with a good growth chart.

We rarely need to know the age of our turtles or tortoises- they breed when they are old enough/big enough, etc. The main reason is sheer curiosity.

For curiosity sake, go ahead and count rings if you want. It is inaccurate, but good enough for 'just because'.

Answer 3

mine was purchased in 1970 and as far as we can tell by looking at him there are no markings that would seem to indicate age. RES

Answer 4

You can't tell by just looking, so you never serve them drinks until you've seen an ID.

Answer 5

not even expert can

Answer 6

ask him!