Here's Virgil's most recent photo . . .

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Posted by Lisa and Virgil on March 20, 2002 at 23:39:23:

In Reply to: Response to 'speedy' update... posted by EJ on March 20, 2002 at 19:36:45:

: I�m convinced that the light color is from a combination of sun bleaching and calcium in the keratin layer of the shell. I have this 7 year old sulcata that came to me as an adoption and it was all dark. After a year or so she is getting noticeably lighter. I unfortunately did not take any pictures of her when I first got her.

: Btw, Speedy looks clean because I cleaned him off for the picture.

: I really don�t think he would be any bigger if he was outdoors. In fact, I think he would be smaller. I�ve placed leopards outdoors after 3 years and the growth rate actually slowed down.

: The growth rate is dependent on food and environmental conditions for the most part. If everyone kept those constant you probably would have a standard rate. I personally believe that the most important factors are heat and hydration and here�s why. The metabolism is totally dependent on the outside temperature. Now exactly how this figures into pyramiding I don�t know but I look at all the well formed animals and see a pattern to where that when adequate temperatures are provided with a varied diet and good hydration, nice animals are formed. (that�s what I think)

: Terry, I found it curious that in a few of your posts you gave the impression that you felt someone was upset over this discussion. I personally really enjoyed the exchange with all that participated. I picked up a few things. I wish we could have more discussions like this no matter how old the topic. This topic will obviously be debated for a long time to come and who knows, with enough discussion, maybe an answer can be found.

taken a couple of weeks ago. It's not the best, but the color is pretty accurate. He's now a year and a half and a pushing 3 1/2 inches. I need to weigh him. AS you can see, some parts of his shell are very slightly raised. Not pointy, but not smooth. He's inside most of the time due to his vulnerable size and southern Indiana weather. I hope to be moving him outside for extended periods in mid-April. This photo was taken with a $99 digital that I sat down right in front him about 2" away. No jokes please.

Follow Ups:

Re: Here's Virgil's most recent photo . . . Terry 03/22/02 (0)
got the pic... Niki 03/21/02 (0)
someone help me out, can't see pic. Lisa... Niki 03/21/02 (0)
He eats . . . Lisa and Virgil again 03/20/02 (9)
- Correct me if I'm wrong but...... graham(UK) 03/21/02 (8)
  - Obviously they are all lettuces . . . Lisa and Virgil 03/21/02 (6)
    - Whoa, slow down.......... graham(UK) 03/21/02 (5)
      - Re: Whoa, slow down.......... Terry 03/21/02 (4)
        
        Veg list please..... graham(UK) 03/21/02 (3)
        
        Is what you call a cabbage really a cabbage?... EJ 03/21/02 (1)
        
        Now you see how easy things differ..... graham(UK) 03/22/02 (0)
        
        Re: Veg list please..... Terry 03/21/02 (0)
  - Can't do that... EJ 03/21/02 (0)

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: : I�m convinced that the light color is from a combination of sun bleaching and calcium in the keratin layer of the shell. I have this 7 year old sulcata that came to me as an adoption and it was all dark. After a year or so she is getting noticeably lighter. I unfortunately did not take any pictures of her when I first got her. : : Btw, Speedy looks clean because I cleaned him off for the picture. : : I really don�t think he would be any bigger if he was outdoors. In fact, I think he would be smaller. I�ve placed leopards outdoors after 3 years and the growth rate actually slowed down. : : The growth rate is dependent on food and environmental conditions for the most part. If everyone kept those constant you probably would have a standard rate. I personally believe that the most important factors are heat and hydration and here�s why. The metabolism is totally dependent on the outside temperature. Now exactly how this figures into pyramiding I don�t know but I look at all the well formed animals and see a pattern to where that when adequate temperatures are provided with a varied diet and good hydration, nice animals are formed. (that�s what I think) : : Terry, I found it curious that in a few of your posts you gave the impression that you felt someone was upset over this discussion. I personally really enjoyed the exchange with all that participated. I picked up a few things. I wish we could have more discussions like this no matter how old the topic. This topic will obviously be debated for a long time to come and who knows, with enough discussion, maybe an answer can be found. : taken a couple of weeks ago. It's not the best, but the color is pretty accurate. He's now a year and a half and a pushing 3 1/2 inches. I need to weigh him. AS you can see, some parts of his shell are very slightly raised. Not pointy, but not smooth. He's inside most of the time due to his vulnerable size and southern Indiana weather. I hope to be moving him outside for extended periods in mid-April. This photo was taken with a $99 digital that I sat down right in front him about 2" away. No jokes please.

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