Tortoise too small??

filardimarg2 · 04-09-2012, 11:47 AM

I need some advice please, I have 3 THH, 1 of them is smaller than the other 2, all are siblings from the same clutch, they are 2010/December & I am told all female.
Someone has told me that Daisy, (the smaller one) should be bigger & growing more, she is 70mm & 78g. The other 2 are 78mm & 107g & 75mm & 86g.
They are mainly fed on weeds but do have pellets about twice a week.

Has anyone got any thoughts on this please ??

Marg.

Gordon · 04-09-2012, 12:10 PM

Hi marg i have two spurthighs that are the same age and one is about 80gms and the other is 170gms they are both fine i think you will find they are like us some grow bigger than others

Ozric Jonathan · 04-09-2012, 12:43 PM

I find the sizes and weights vary enormously. I've got several that are half the weight of others at ages 1,2 and 3 years.

One of my hermannis has always been very small but in the past two years he's grown more than some other ones.

If the tortoise is really very small and persistently not growing then I think that is a concern but I don't thik that's what you have there Marg.

Shelled Lady · 04-09-2012, 01:57 PM

I agree, all animals grow at different rates. Why worry? If your tortoises are eating well, that's the main thing. You could do more harm than good trying to over feed. Each one of my hatchlings is different and even look different. No two animals ever look the same, unless twins. Your smallest may even be male. Forget about the weight. Only use the scales when preparing for hibernation.

Suze65 · 04-09-2012, 02:33 PM

Hi Marg, everything that they've all just said, and also when I got my little Tiggy from the breeder in Feb this year , all the baby's were from the same clutch and some were bigger than others, all 6 months.

burnt toast · 04-09-2012, 11:52 PM

Me too,I have three sets of clutch sisters where one is double the weight of her sister. As long as your tort is actually growing & not underweight for her length I wouldnt worry. If she has a poor ratio I would try abidec & check for parasites.

LincsBren · 05-09-2012, 08:59 PM

According to the Jackson Ratio chart from hatchlings that I use, Daisy at 70mm should be around 80g so she seems fine. At 78mm they should be about 105g and at 75mm about 95g so based on those, the only one I'd watch for eating plenty is the 75mm one as she seems quite a bit under her 'ideal' weight.

I have a pair of 14mths THB that hatched 2 weeks apart and one is 91mm and 170g, and one is 87mm and 140g so they can vary rather a lot!

04-09-2012, 11:47 AM	#1
filardimarg2 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Leamington Spa, Warwickshire Posts: 1,201	Tortoise too small?? I need some advice please, I have 3 THH, 1 of them is smaller than the other 2, all are siblings from the same clutch, they are 2010/December & I am told all female. Someone has told me that Daisy, (the smaller one) should be bigger & growing more, she is 70mm & 78g. The other 2 are 78mm & 107g & 75mm & 86g. They are mainly fed on weeds but do have pellets about twice a week. Has anyone got any thoughts on this please ?? Marg. __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni...Flo, Dotty & Daisy, all December 2010. German Shepherd Dog...Kiera.

04-09-2012, 12:43 PM	#3
Ozric Jonathan Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 4,226	I find the sizes and weights vary enormously. I've got several that are half the weight of others at ages 1,2 and 3 years. One of my hermannis has always been very small but in the past two years he's grown more than some other ones. If the tortoise is really very small and persistently not growing then I think that is a concern but I don't thik that's what you have there Marg. __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises

04-09-2012, 02:33 PM	#5
Suze65 Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 6,769	Hi Marg, everything that they've all just said, and also when I got my little Tiggy from the breeder in Feb this year , all the baby's were from the same clutch and some were bigger than others, all 6 months. __________________ Suze. 3 THB, Sammy, Jemima, & Phoebe 7 Marginated, Tabitha, Ptolome, Tatiana, Noah,Lottey, Lulu & Poppy 1 TGG (Emma) RIP Feb 2012

05-09-2012, 08:59 PM	#7
LincsBren Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 128	According to the Jackson Ratio chart from hatchlings that I use, Daisy at 70mm should be around 80g so she seems fine. At 78mm they should be about 105g and at 75mm about 95g so based on those, the only one I'd watch for eating plenty is the 75mm one as she seems quite a bit under her 'ideal' weight. I have a pair of 14mths THB that hatched 2 weeks apart and one is 91mm and 170g, and one is 87mm and 140g so they can vary rather a lot! __________________ Slave to the ark... 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 horses, 2 gerbils and... 2 testudo hermanni boettgeri... sex tbc!

04-09-2012, 12:10 PM	#2
Gordon Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 5,675	Hi marg i have two spurthighs that are the same age and one is about 80gms and the other is 170gms they are both fine i think you will find they are like us some grow bigger than others

04-09-2012, 01:57 PM	#4
Shelled Lady Member Juvenile Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South East Posts: 845	I agree, all animals grow at different rates. Why worry? If your tortoises are eating well, that's the main thing. You could do more harm than good trying to over feed. Each one of my hatchlings is different and even look different. No two animals ever look the same, unless twins. Your smallest may even be male. Forget about the weight. Only use the scales when preparing for hibernation.

04-09-2012, 11:52 PM	#6
burnt toast Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,246	Me too,I have three sets of clutch sisters where one is double the weight of her sister. As long as your tort is actually growing & not underweight for her length I wouldnt worry. If she has a poor ratio I would try abidec & check for parasites.

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