280 grams is the highest we’ve weighed her in at, we weigh weekly, I pretty sure I’m at the okay amount of weight for her size, she’s only 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, she will be 300 grams hopefully end of month, she’s gained anywhere between 25-50 grams steady since getting her on Dec 16th she hatched June 20th 2025, not sure how she was handled prior, very dense shell. It may be mean or unprofessional maybe but I will give them a light squeeze just to see the compression I know what a healthy one feels like so I go off that bias but it’s a very sturdy shell
Mind you I only check the shell compression like once every 6 months, don’t think it’s something that happens over night so I do it rare to avoid stress and harassing my torts
When they are started correctly from day one, they reach 800-1000 grams eating mostly weeds and grass by their first birthday. Almost no one starts them correctly, so most them are a little slower to gain size as they catch up once the new owner gives them the correct growing conditions. Your tortoise appears healthy and properly cared for. It will eventually catch up, and I wouldn't worry one bit about the current size. Gaining 25-50 grams a month at this size is a great indicator that everything is now on track.
Awh poor thing must of not been cared for at all by the seller, when we got her in Dec 16/25 she was 6 months old and weighed 50 grams
Ugh. That's rough, but typical. Many don't survive the dry routine. Yours did, and you are in the clear and on your way to having a giant. This tortoise is very lucky that you found and chose it.
Appreciate it makes me smile knowing I’m doing right by the lil girl
