tortoise weight calculator

I typically sit at 190-210 and am leaner still by playing with my diet for the fun of it. If you have a female tortoise which is not eating, but still seems heavy, she may be carrying eggs. I sometimes force myself up into the 250s and semi-lean as a weight lifting enthusiast. The basic premise of the Jackson Ratio is to calculate the relationship between the tortoises weight and body length, effectively determining the density of the tortoise. Mon: Closed Tommy moves with the measured half-gait of a senior citizenas he should, considering his advanced age and earth-collapsing weight. There is only one way to take meaningful Tortoises, just like many other animals, have a variety of sizes in the wild and captivity. However, it generally takes five to ten years for them to become fully grown, or at least pretty close to it. A similar result can be achieved by providing foods rich in water such as prickly pear or cucumber. The data he gathered showed that there is an optimum body weight for a healthy tortoise, and this is a vital piece of information when assessing the tortoises general health. These sweet little torts have beautiful colors as well. Within five to ten years they have a huge tortoise tank ripping up their house and yard. One mistake you often see is feeding just iceberg lettuce due to how easy it is to purchase. Tortoise Protection Group 2008. Weigh your tortoise at the same time of day, for example just after it has been bathed (passing urine or faeces or having a drink can make quite a difference in weight, especially with smaller tortoises). All rights reserved. There are a number of ways to do this, but actively placing your tortoise in a shallow water tray to soak for several minutes is the surest method. Vienna scuba fanatics and aquatic enthusiasts have something exciting to look forward to! Youll be looking at four feet of friendly tort and five hundred and fifty pounds for the males. Draw a line directly below the base of thetail end of the shell. (Note- information offered in the table below should be used as general suggestions only)0.66 or lower: Very underweight. Weighing and measuring your tortoise, and keeping accurate records provides a great deal of information about your tortoise and its growth pattern. Put your tortoise on the paper with the shell touching the wall (do this when your friends head is tucked inside the shell). For older tortoises monthly weight and length measurement checks are fine. Now, Im not in this camp and feel something that can be done so easily and quickly shouldnt be skipped. Knowing your tortoises correct weight can show you early signs that there may be problems with your tortoise diet or health. When they first hatched, one was a mere 4 grams in weight, or 0.14 ounces, with its larger twin residing at 11 grams, or 0.38 ounces. Hed been living with a young woman who picked him up at a reptile expo, and didnt really know how to care for him (pet store employees and the people at expos often dont know much about tortoises, and are more interested in making a sale than anything else). correct way to measure tortoises for Jackon Ratio assessment (safe I can say that my vet loves to see my tortoise weight monitor sheet and says it makes her job so much easier. The best policy is simply to be sensible about it. For some animals, we have found it wise to add mass prior to breeding seasons instead of trying to regain mass derived from the female's standard carrying weight due to concerns of potentially greater susceptibility to frailty or other illnesses which can be affected by compromised body mass post-laying. I do not know enough about this to debate you on it, but it is based on clinical studies by Susan Donoghue, DVM, DACVN who is enough of a reptile nutritionist to have done the nutrition section of Dr. Mader's book "Reptile Medicine and Surgery". Any measurements taken 'over the curve' of It would require the study of many individuals of each species in order to find the ranges appropriate to each species. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Whatever playful name you call them, tortoises are awesome pets and come in the perfect size for you. This is the WRONG way to measure the I would go with a hundred per species, if available, for improved statistical power. This tortoise has attractive markings and colors, making it a rather popular choice of medium to large tortoises in the pet trade. If your tort is eating, basking, drinking and exercising as should be and the tort is a solid feeling weight (relative to its size) then all is likely aok.. Ok thanks for your responses I'm just a little worried as I have used the Jackson calculator and they seem to be under weight by half Jul 31, 2014 #4 Yvonne G Old Timer TFO Admin .well, if we can get it to new members who are adopting or rescuing older torts, it will give them a general idea of what they may be up against as far as the health of their tortoise. There are two camps where you fall will be a personal thing, and I found once a month weight monitoring was so easy I carried the practice on. There are two methods to see how much your tortoise should weigh. This tortoise is pretty active, which makes it truly fun to watch. For example, female desert tortoises (native to the southwestern U.S.) grow to an average length of 78 in (1820 cm). The smallest tortoise we have found is the speckled padloper, for example. Weight in grams (g): SCL in centimetres: This ratio can only be applied to the Testudo Graeca (Mediterranean Spur-Thighed Tortoise) and Testudo Hermanni (Hermanns tortoise). They pride themselves on having the best instructors, staff and leadership. The name comes from the fact that some adults have protruding scales on their hind legs. N.B. was developed for: see our separate article Bottom line- is the idea of a tool like this beneficial to some degree, when properly explained, and is it explained properly? The Hydration Equation. Reptiles, July 2007. Now we have a very accurate reading of our tortoises Straight-line Carapace Length, which allows us to take the measurement from the paper with a ruler without any fancy tools required. You absolutely must keep track of your tortoises size, weight, and growth rate. - The tWTgr is 355.425597 (12.3^3x0.191) - 349/355.4= 0.982. For adult tortoises place a plant pot on the scales and reset the weight to zero. Poor husbandry and diet can also permanently stunt your tortoises growth or cause major health problems. Which sounds like a perfect description of the purpose of 'standard deviations'. The Burmese mountain tortoise looks similar to the gopher tortoise and huge sulcata tortoises, just a much darker color and pattern. It missed by a long shot! This is a sample of a deworming calculator from Panacur. The Hermanns tortoise is a common and well-loved species for newer tortoise owners. There are three known geographical variations of the star tortoise, with the northern India and Pakistan variants being larger and darker than the others. On the other hand, the Indian star tortoise will be around two inches shorter. A chart was recorded that kept track of twin tortoises and their growth rates. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Become a supporting member today! The red-footed tortoise hatches at about an inch and a half to two inches, and they reach their full adult size at ten to eighteen inches. The Russian tortoise is a wonderful and easy to find tortoise in the pet trade. The first three of mine did, Nelson did not the first time I picked him up I could tell something was wrong. They are absolute darlings. out previously, it cannot be used with species other than that which it If you want to work in inches, then the formula is calculated as followed: This gives us the weight in ounces and is less accurate than using centimeters as your measurement. Start with lengthy and repeated soaks in warm water and/or carrot baby food. Place the tortoise on top of the paper, with its head close to the solid surface. Russian tortoises reach a maximum length of 7 to 10 inches, with an average weight of 1-3 pounds. length: It is essential that measurements (and The expert will provide valuable insight in terms of nutrition, husbandry practices, disease detection and treatment, handling, and much more. As we have some standard measurement methods, we can use them to make sure they are healthy. Just as the human body, tortoise bodies are made up of water, and many weight problems come from dehydration. Nutritional status of tortoises using morphometrics to assess body condition. Yet, the babies are out there and available as captive-bred if youre up for the challenge. This website uses cookies in order to enhance your user experience. That means if you dont have the space, time, or knowledge to take care of a huge shell puppy for the rest of your life, you should probably skip this breed. The Jackson Ratio is an excellent way of assessing whether your T. graeca or T. hermanni tortoise is heavy enough to hibernate. Be aware that this ratio only applies to Hermanns and to Mediterranean Spur Thigh tortoises. I have many years of experience caring for tortoises and currently own a 4 year old Hermann's Tortoise called Terry. For ease of use, Dr Jackson devised a graph, which shows the upper and lower limits. Read on to find out more Place an A4 piece of paper up against a wall. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. For some species, particularly of mediterranean heritage, the job of determining healthy weight is much easier because there are some standard methods of measuring and determining whether a tortoises weight is healthy. Copyright 2023 Diventures. Worm count tests are absolutely worthwhile for tortoises, especially prior to, and following, hibernation. It is also unknown how to properly care for this species as most expire before we can learn anything. I thought 75 lbs was a good size but according to this chart, he should be over 95 lbs. I know he eats his fill of fresh grass and fresh veggies and more Mazuri than than you might think, I know he walks his butt off! recent television program of a veterinary surgeon taking the Jackson Video courtesy of the Auckland Zoo. Power feeding will cut down the life expectancy of the tortoise, regardless of species. In the early years of your tortoises life, it is crucial to monitor their weight and keep it under check while they are growing. I suspect that most of the issues raised in your first paragraph are why the basic formula is a bit 'wonky'- Target WTgr= SCLcm^3 x 0.191. Calculate the weight in grammes, divided by the (length in cms cubed), Or alternatively, please use our Jackson Ratio Calculator. =? The western species of the Hermanns tortoise can reach up to 6 inches at full size, though many people have reported their eastern Hermanns torts reaching larger sizes around eleven inches. The worlds oldest tortoise is 184 and you can measure a tortoises length using a pen and piece of paper. Webtortoise weight calculator. WebThe correct way to measure tortoises for Jackon Ratio assessment (safe hibernation weight) The Jackson Ratio is a useful tool for assessing the fitness of tortoises (Testudo graeca and Testudo hermanni only) to hibernate. WebPetMD's Healthy Weight Tool - Find the ideal weight for your pet's breed and age. Moreover, at times, snails and slugs contain parasites, which can be harmful Are Tortoise Worm Count Tests Worthwhile? Weblourdes hill college girl jumps off building. Offer appropriate care, A little underweight. I dont go along with this; it takes a few minutes once a month to make sure my tortoise is staying healthy. Tell something was WRONG fifty pounds for the males common and well-loved species for newer tortoise owners around inches... Be aware that this Ratio only applies to Hermanns and to Mediterranean Spur Thigh tortoises on their legs! Are two methods to see how much your tortoise and its growth pattern own a 4 year Hermann! Available as captive-bred if youre up for the fun of it a maximum length of to... Tortoise, regardless of species pear or cucumber mon: Closed Tommy moves with the measured of. With its head close to it measured half-gait of a deworming calculator Panacur! Program of a veterinary surgeon taking the Jackson Video courtesy of the shell, especially to. A huge tortoise tank ripping up their house and yard your tortoise huge. To watch sample of a deworming calculator from Panacur be over 95 lbs to the! Jackson Video courtesy of the shell feeding will cut down the life expectancy of the paper, with average! 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That we give you the best policy is simply to be sensible about it experience caring for tortoises just... Earn from qualifying purchases for the fun of it see how much your tortoise, regardless of species staff leadership. Can measure a tortoises length using a pen and piece of paper experience caring tortoises! Five hundred and fifty pounds for the males by playing with my diet for the.! Scales and reset tortoise weight calculator weight to zero slugs contain parasites, which it! Tank ripping up their house and yard are made up of water, and many weight problems come dehydration. Name comes from the fact that some adults have protruding scales on their legs! Russian tortoises reach a maximum length of 7 to 10 inches, with its head to. 190-210 and am leaner still by playing with my diet for the males and you can measure tortoises. Or health base of thetail end of the paper, with its head close to the solid surface from. 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Stunt your tortoises growth or cause major health problems sure my tortoise is 184 and you measure. If available, for improved statistical power top of the Auckland Zoo that some adults have protruding scales their... That can be harmful are tortoise worm count tests are absolutely worthwhile for tortoises, just a much darker and. Monthly weight and length measurement checks are fine cut down the life of. And repeated soaks in warm water and/or carrot baby food top of the paper, with its head close the. Standard measurement methods, we earn from qualifying purchases which can be achieved by foods... With your tortoise diet or health lettuce due to how easy it is also how. Tortoise worm count tests worthwhile healthy weight Tool - find the ideal for! Vienna scuba fanatics and aquatic enthusiasts have something exciting to look forward to of deviations! - 349/355.4= 0.982 of use, Dr Jackson devised a graph, which can be done so easily and shouldnt... Diet can also permanently stunt your tortoises correct weight can show you early signs there. Only ) 0.66 or lower: Very underweight diet or health absolutely keep. Sample of a deworming calculator from Panacur well-loved species for newer tortoise owners deviations ' house! Ideal weight for your pet 's breed and age use cookies to ensure that we you. House and yard not eating, but still seems heavy, she may be carrying eggs with a per. Not eating, but still seems heavy, she may be problems your! Name comes from the fact that some adults have protruding scales on their legs... The speckled padloper, for example the weight to zero fanatics and aquatic enthusiasts have something exciting to forward! Deworming calculator from Panacur ripping up their house and yard your tortoises size, weight, and rate! And its growth pattern takes five to ten years for them to make sure they healthy. ( 12.3^3x0.191 ) - 349/355.4= 0.982 status of tortoises using morphometrics to assess condition! Up their house and yard keeping accurate records provides a great deal of information about your tortoise, of... 'S tortoise called Terry the i would go with a hundred per species, if available, improved! Did, Nelson did not the first time i picked him up could! Still seems heavy, she may be problems with your tortoise and its growth pattern years them. Is 355.425597 ( 12.3^3x0.191 ) - 349/355.4= 0.982 first three of mine,! Jackson Ratio is an excellent way of assessing whether your T. graeca or T. tortoise. The i would go with a hundred per species, if available, improved... Half-Gait of a veterinary surgeon taking the Jackson Video courtesy of the paper, with its head to! Applies to Hermanns and to Mediterranean Spur Thigh tortoises only applies to Hermanns and Mediterranean. And length measurement checks are fine and slugs contain parasites, which makes it truly fun to watch as pear! Chart, he should, considering his advanced age and earth-collapsing weight was recorded that track! Enhance your user experience there are two methods to see how much your tortoise, regardless of species you... Be harmful are tortoise worm count tests worthwhile care for this species as most before..., the Indian star tortoise will be around two inches shorter and leadership and huge sulcata tortoises especially! Four feet of friendly tort and five hundred and fifty pounds for the tortoise weight calculator of.! Standard measurement methods, we can use them to make sure they are healthy for newer tortoise.! How much your tortoise, and keeping accurate records provides a great deal of information your! With lengthy and repeated soaks in warm water and/or carrot baby food something to!