22g and 8 inches at 4-6 months old?!

[Akire]

I've had my baby Norbert for almost 2 weeks now. I got him from a reputable reptile shop. I figured he must be 2 months old, since he weighs 22 grams and is only 8 inches long. I decided to call the shop today and ask his age. They said he's 4-6 months old. Isn't he really tiny for his age then? ?

 

[EllenD]

Yes he is...Can you post some photos? Often times they're mistaken or just lying, unfortunately.

For point of reference, my younger boy Dee Dee is now 4 months old, I've had him since he was 4 weeks old. He's 13.5 inches long and weighs 200 grams +...

 

[EllenD]

I just looked at his photo in your first post...He looks extremely healthy and a good size, but there's no way he's anywhere near 5 or 6 months, he looks to me to be a normal 2-3 month old.

 

[Akire]

Thanks for helping, Ellen!

Originally the guy said 3-4 months old. Then he asked how long Norbert is. When I told him he said he's 4-6 months. How can someone think an 8 inch beardie is that old? I'm guessing he just didn't know what he is talking about. It's a shame... I thought it was a good reptile store. It still is compared to the others in my area, but you have to take what they say with a grain of salt I guess.

I'm going to go with he is 3 months old on October 1st. Since that was the youngest age they mentioned and it would make sense for him to be that age at his size. I agree that there is no way he is 4-6 months old. He looks very healthy, not like a beardie with stunted growth or a malnutrition problem.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Just as information , here are the combined growth charts for my hatchlings.

Batch 1 = Puff & Rex , sharing same 100L rearing tub for first 6 months.
Batch 2 = Peppa & Toothless , raised in separate stacked 100L rearing tubs from the getgo.

I regard length as a poor measure of growth, some hatchlings have cropped tails which means it's hard to compare apples with apples.
Body weight is more reliable and less subject to issues like tail crops.

 

[EllenD]

I'm going with the guy at the store just doesn't have a clue. Hatchlings are born between 4-6" at the very start, lol, so a 4-6 month old isn't only going to grow 2-4" in length!!!