Unless you know exactly when it was born, it is almost impossible to tell the age of a turtle. One method is to count the rings that have formed on its shell, but these mostly indicate the amount of food that the animal had available. If your turtle is young, you can compare its size with other specimens of the same species to get an idea of how old it is.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Counting the Rings
Step 1. Choose a "scuto" where to count the rings
The scutes are the horny plates that cover the turtle's shell; counting the concentric streaks on these plaques can help determine the age of the animal. Keep in mind, however, that this method only gives a very rough estimate, as rings often develop in times of abundance and famine; in other words, they can form when the turtle is very hungry or has a lot of food available, regardless of the season.
Step 2. Count the rings
The lines inside the scutes usually alternate between wider circles of one color and narrower circles of another color. In theory, the wider ring represents a period of good nutrition (typically the warm season), while the narrower one indicates a period of food scarcity (often corresponding to winter). So, if you count the rings and divide by 2, you get a general estimate of the turtle's age.
Just look at the rings. It is not necessary to count the plates, as these do not reflect the age of the animal; you have to look at the streaks inside them instead
Step 3. Estimate your age
After counting the rings, try to calculate the age of the turtle. For example, if you counted 14 rings, you can assume the turtle is 7 years old, as 2 rings probably equals one year.
- Turtles develop these rings both in captivity and in the wild.
- If the tortoise is over 15 years old, it is very difficult to determine its age, since with the passage of time the rings get closer and closer to each other.
Part 2 of 2: Check the Dimensions
Step 1. Measure your turtle
The size of a turtle can indicate its age, especially if it is young enough. Start by measuring it from head to tail, so you get a basic idea of how big it is. Try to make it stay still so you can use a ruler to measure it. You can get her to pop her head out of the shell by offering her an appetizing treat.
Step 2. Find out about the typical size of the species it belongs to
Look for a growth chart that refers to the specific subspecies of your turtle. Make sure you find the one that exactly matches your type of turtle, because even specimens that fall within the same species can be different in size. You can search online or consult a book in the library.
- For example, a southern painted turtle usually does not exceed 15 cm, while a large western painted turtle can reach 20 cm.
- Keep in mind that captive-bred turtles tend to grow faster than their wild counterparts, which can be misleading about their age.
Step 3. Compare the turtle to the size chart
Once you have found the right chart, compare the size of your turtle with those shown on the chart. You may be able to estimate their age if they have not yet reached their maximum size.
