Daisys growth

vikki · 12-06-2015, 10:12 PM

Hi - this is my new tortoise Daisy - I am a little concerned at how large she is for 6 months old - she weighs 75 grams. My other tortoise is Herbie - he is 11months old and only weighs 45 grams. I will now try to slow Daisys growth (at the moment she isn't eating a lot so not a problem!!) but any advice on if this is the correct thing to do/how to achieve it would be very helpful

Daisy

Herbie

Comparison of Daisy on left and Herbie on right.

pagan queen · 12-06-2015, 10:47 PM

I don't believe in restricting food or growth. I had some criticism for my torts growth rate, I was told she would pyramid but she didn't. I let them eat what they want when they want. You have to decide for yourself though. Good luck.

vikki · 12-06-2015, 11:00 PM

It is very difficult - when I first got Herbie he was only 17 grams but had quite a lot of problems including bladder stones he then put on upto 4grams a week for a while but now hasn't put any weight on for a few weeks despite being fed the same etc. so guess they somehow regulate themselves to a certain extent but must be a bit like humans where some can eat loads and not put on weight but others (me included!!) only have to look at food to pile on the pounds!! I think perhaps Herbie is in the 1st category ad Daisy in the
2nd. Your tortoises look really good so just goes to show that you don't necessarily have to follow "the rules"

Splinter · 13-06-2015, 12:06 AM

Sorry to hijack your thread, but could I ask what the feint white marks on Daisy's shell are please?

I've noticed both of mine have similar but a bit harder to see (or photograph) and I've been wondering what it was.

Ozric Jonathan · 13-06-2015, 12:47 AM

My take on it is that we need to treat them all as individuals. Daisy appears to me to show clear signs of very rapid growth that would result in a pyramiding tortoise if it continues in the same way.

I think if rapid growth happens and takes this form there is a good case to consider restricted feeding and careful plotting of weight gain at least for a while.

It's when they are small like this that the pattern for the future tends to be set.

(Sorry Splinter I'm not sure what white marks to look for).

Splinter · 13-06-2015, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozric Jonathan

(Sorry Splinter I'm not sure what white marks to look for).

They can be seen mainly in pics 1 and 2, on the shell itself.

Gordon · 13-06-2015, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splinter

Sorry to hijack your thread, but could I ask what the feint white marks on Daisy's shell are please?

I've noticed both of mine have similar but a bit harder to see (or photograph) and I've been wondering what it was.

They will be growth lines all perfectly normal

vikki · 13-06-2015, 07:43 AM

Hi Splinter - you are welcome to hijack!! I think the white marks are some kind of growth marks and tend to be more apparent when they have had quite quick growth but one of the experts will know better

vikki · 13-06-2015, 07:45 AM

There we go Gordon is the expert but we must have been posting at the same time (and my typing is very slow!!) Thank you.

Gordon · 13-06-2015, 07:49 AM

Hi Vikki I never hold back on food for any of my torts they will eat as much or as little as they need as only they know we can only assume we know.
As for the size they all grow at different levels so I wouldn't worry.

12-06-2015, 10:12 PM	#1
vikki Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 456	Daisys growth Hi - this is my new tortoise Daisy - I am a little concerned at how large she is for 6 months old - she weighs 75 grams. My other tortoise is Herbie - he is 11months old and only weighs 45 grams. I will now try to slow Daisys growth (at the moment she isn't eating a lot so not a problem!!) but any advice on if this is the correct thing to do/how to achieve it would be very helpful Daisy Daisy Herbie Comparison of Daisy on left and Herbie on right. Last edited by vikki; 12-06-2015 at 10:51 PM.

12-06-2015, 10:47 PM	#2
pagan queen Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 6,073	I don't believe in restricting food or growth. I had some criticism for my torts growth rate, I was told she would pyramid but she didn't. I let them eat what they want when they want. You have to decide for yourself though. Good luck. __________________ 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

13-06-2015, 12:47 AM	#5
Ozric Jonathan Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 4,226	My take on it is that we need to treat them all as individuals. Daisy appears to me to show clear signs of very rapid growth that would result in a pyramiding tortoise if it continues in the same way. I think if rapid growth happens and takes this form there is a good case to consider restricted feeding and careful plotting of weight gain at least for a while. It's when they are small like this that the pattern for the future tends to be set. (Sorry Splinter I'm not sure what white marks to look for). __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises Last edited by Ozric Jonathan; 13-06-2015 at 12:50 AM.

12-06-2015, 11:00 PM	#3
vikki Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 456	It is very difficult - when I first got Herbie he was only 17 grams but had quite a lot of problems including bladder stones he then put on upto 4grams a week for a while but now hasn't put any weight on for a few weeks despite being fed the same etc. so guess they somehow regulate themselves to a certain extent but must be a bit like humans where some can eat loads and not put on weight but others (me included!!) only have to look at food to pile on the pounds!! I think perhaps Herbie is in the 1st category ad Daisy in the 2nd. Your tortoises look really good so just goes to show that you don't necessarily have to follow "the rules"

13-06-2015, 12:06 AM	#4
Splinter Member Egg Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 90	Sorry to hijack your thread, but could I ask what the feint white marks on Daisy's shell are please? I've noticed both of mine have similar but a bit harder to see (or photograph) and I've been wondering what it was.

13-06-2015, 07:43 AM	#8
vikki Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 456	Hi Splinter - you are welcome to hijack!! I think the white marks are some kind of growth marks and tend to be more apparent when they have had quite quick growth but one of the experts will know better

13-06-2015, 07:45 AM	#9
vikki Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 456	There we go Gordon is the expert but we must have been posting at the same time (and my typing is very slow!!) Thank you.

13-06-2015, 07:49 AM	#10
Gordon Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 5,675	Hi Vikki I never hold back on food for any of my torts they will eat as much or as little as they need as only they know we can only assume we know. As for the size they all grow at different levels so I wouldn't worry.

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