how often should i weigh my tortoise

BirdieF18 · 15-02-2012, 10:58 PM

Hi as i am new i haven't got the full swing of things i am asking lots of questions trying to find out everything but i was just wandering how often should i be weighing my tortoise she is 4yrs old. I also noticed some people doing measurements were are these taken from.

TillyTortoise · 15-02-2012, 11:09 PM

Its up to you how often you want to weigh.. some people weigh weekly and panic if there tortoise has lost a few grams. I choose to weigh mine monthly.

The reason that you measure the tortoise is to find out if your tortoise is a good weight for it size

This is how you measure a tortoise.

Watermelon · 15-02-2012, 11:15 PM

I just do it when I feel like it, usually once or twice a month.

Torterra · 16-02-2012, 12:20 AM

I have got into habit to weight my younger Indian Stars every week. I do not panic if I see they lost a gram or two or did not gain anything in last week. But over timw it gives me a better picture how they growing. Every Sunday morning they go onto the scales

(or afternoon if they feel sleepy early in the day.)

pagan queen · 16-02-2012, 01:20 AM

I just weigh mine if I see a difference in their habits. If they are eating more or less than normal or if they are more sleepy, more active etc. Anything that is out of the ordinary for them. That way if there is a significant loss or gain I would investigate further, to see if there is any illness that could explain the change.
If I haven't weighed or measured them for a long time I will weigh just out of curiosity, usually after 2 or 3 months.

Pussygalore · 16-02-2012, 09:24 AM

its handy to have a record of both weight and length especially if you have to visit the vets, my adults didn't get weighed that much but always before and after hibernation, but the youngsters get weighed more just to make sure they are gaining. It might be worth a photo every so often as well its sometimes the best way to see how the shell is developing especially a side veiw of the tort, then compare the new with the last one.

pagan queen · 16-02-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pussygalore

its handy to have a record of both weight and length especially if you have to visit the vets, my adults didn't get weighed that much but always before and after hibernation, but the youngsters get weighed more just to make sure they are gaining. It might be worth a photo every so often as well its sometimes the best way to see how the shell is developing especially a side veiw of the tort, then compare the new with the last one.

Yes, I tend to weigh my baby more than my adult. Besides anything else she fits on the scales easier.

Catwoman63 · 16-02-2012, 04:07 PM

Their weights can fluctuate depending on what time of day and if they have eaten or not, i have weighed mine a few weeks apart and the weight went up then down, so i weigh about once a month or 2 months x

15-02-2012, 10:58 PM	#1
BirdieF18 Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 198	how often should i weigh my tortoise Hi as i am new i haven't got the full swing of things i am asking lots of questions trying to find out everything but i was just wandering how often should i be weighing my tortoise she is 4yrs old. I also noticed some people doing measurements were are these taken from. __________________ Three cats-Mitzi, Tilly, Luna Two dogs-Cara, Brodie Two Horses-Ruby, Murfy One budgie-Poppy One Horsfield Tortoise-Pumpkin One Nosy Ankarea Panther Chameleon-Boggles

15-02-2012, 11:09 PM	#2
TillyTortoise Senior Member Adult Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales Posts: 2,327	Its up to you how often you want to weigh.. some people weigh weekly and panic if there tortoise has lost a few grams. I choose to weigh mine monthly. The reason that you measure the tortoise is to find out if your tortoise is a good weight for it size This is how you measure a tortoise. __________________ Ross

16-02-2012, 12:20 AM	#4
Torterra Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: England, SE Posts: 1,396	I have got into habit to weight my younger Indian Stars every week. I do not panic if I see they lost a gram or two or did not gain anything in last week. But over timw it gives me a better picture how they growing. Every Sunday morning they go onto the scales (or afternoon if they feel sleepy early in the day.) __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1.2.0 Geoshelone elegans (Indian Star) 1.2.1 Kinosternon Bauri (Three Striped mud turtles) 0.0.2 Sternotherus Carinatus (Razorback Musk Turtle) http://kinosternon-baurii.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

16-02-2012, 01:20 AM	#5
pagan queen Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 6,073	I just weigh mine if I see a difference in their habits. If they are eating more or less than normal or if they are more sleepy, more active etc. Anything that is out of the ordinary for them. That way if there is a significant loss or gain I would investigate further, to see if there is any illness that could explain the change. If I haven't weighed or measured them for a long time I will weigh just out of curiosity, usually after 2 or 3 months. __________________ 1.0.1 TG Ibera 1.0.0 Chinese Frise dog 0.1.0 African Grey Parrot 0.1.0 Hahns Macaw 0.1.0 Pearly Conure 0.2.0 Guinea Pigs 0.2.0 Chickens 1.0.0 Bearded Dragon 7.4.0 Budgies 1.1.0 Cockatiels 1.3 Kids 1 Husband

16-02-2012, 04:07 PM	#8
Catwoman63 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South East England Posts: 6,739	Their weights can fluctuate depending on what time of day and if they have eaten or not, i have weighed mine a few weeks apart and the weight went up then down, so i weigh about once a month or 2 months x __________________ BEV XXX 0.3.0 - T Horsfieldii (Xena, Zelda & Lilly) 2.2.0 - TG Terrestris (Zeus, Astreus / Zagreus & Alexia) 1.2.0 - Zebra Finches (Gunner / Bonnie & May) 0.1.0 - SBT (Hazel) 1.0.0 - FBD (Ted)

15-02-2012, 11:15 PM	#3
Watermelon Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,085	I just do it when I feel like it, usually once or twice a month.

16-02-2012, 09:24 AM	#6
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	its handy to have a record of both weight and length especially if you have to visit the vets, my adults didn't get weighed that much but always before and after hibernation, but the youngsters get weighed more just to make sure they are gaining. It might be worth a photo every so often as well its sometimes the best way to see how the shell is developing especially a side veiw of the tort, then compare the new with the last one.

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