Overweight?

[Alpha752]

How do you know if your tort is overweight? What are some of the signs?

 

[JaymeFrances]

If be interested to know the answer to this too, I've only had my girl for just over a week and she's gained a fair amount... not sure how dehydrated she was when I got her though!

 

[Yvonne G]

You normally see this in Russian tortoises because people mistake their small size for not needing to be in a large enclosure. A tortoise that doesn't get the exercise they are supposed to get, and just eats and sleeps, will have pooches between the top and bottom shell:

 

[GingerLove]

They "blorp" out by the arm sockets and bloat up like they are holding their breath. Example:

Now don't panic... the tortoise forum helped my fatty Ginger to recover!!! She now has a proper diet and lots of outside exercise. She's much healthier now! Healthy tortoise example:

 

[Alpha752]

Thanks, that's reassuring. I'm glad that my tort only has the slightest bit of extra shoulder jiggle.

Looks like we will be getting a lot more exercise time added into our day.

 

[RosemaryDW]

Thanks, that's reassuring. I'm glad that my tort only has the slightest bit of extra shoulder jiggle.

Looks like we will be getting a lot more exercise time added into our day.

More exercise time is always good but tortoises can carry some fat reserves in the shoulder and around the legs without being "fat." In certain cases, like before hibernation, it's a good thing. My Russian has got some fat reserves around the shoulders right now and she's an outdoor tortoise; just eating like mad in the spring, as Russians do. She doesn't look poochy, but the shoulder areas definitely look different from her legs or neck: plump.

Do you have some good pictures of your tortoise? Directly face on and from the side.

 

[Alpha752]

More exercise time is always good but tortoises can carry some fat reserves in the shoulder and around the legs without being "fat." In certain cases, like before hibernation, it's a good thing. My Russian has got some fat reserves around the shoulders right now and she's an outdoor tortoise; just eating like mad in the spring, as Russians do. She doesn't look poochy, but the shoulder areas definitely look different from her legs or neck: plump.

Do you have some good pictures of your tortoise? Directly face on and from the side.

These are the best I have on my phone at the moment. He definitely isn't grossly overweight, I just worry about him.

His enclosure isn't that big, I try to take him out and let him wander when I can.

 

[RosemaryDW]

Doesn't look fat to me but let's see what the experts say.

I think you have said Henry is an adult tortoise. Has someone confirmed he isn't a she? That tail looks female to me.

 

[Alpha752]

Doesn't look fat to me but let's see what the experts say.

I think you have said Henry is an adult tortoise. Has someone confirmed he isn't a she? That tail looks female to me.

I am fairly sure he is an adult, but it's hard to know, he was "rescued" from a pet store.

His cloaca, when his tale is stretched out looks like a slit. I think females look more like an astricks.

 

[Gillian M]

Your tort looks nice and healthy, GOD bless.

No need to worry.

 

[RosemaryDW]

His cloaca, when his tale is stretched out looks like a slit. I think females look more like an astricks.

You're right; mature females do look like asterisks. Perhaps it's just the photo.

I am fairly sure he is an adult, but it's hard to know, he was "rescued" from a pet store.

If he was from a pet store in the U.S., he's almost surely grown or very near to it.