How to Determine the Age of a Turtle? 0 5

The scutes that form a turtle's shell grow at the edges, creating something similar to annual rings. However, these rings are not annual (in the first two years of life, up to five rings can form in a year, then 2–3): the rate of their formation depends on the conditions in which the turtle lives.

In adult individuals, growth significantly slows down, and the outer rings become difficult to distinguish.

Thus, they can only be accurately counted on specially prepared and dyed cross-sections. It is impossible to do this on a living turtle without causing it harm.