Record Keeping Journal or Your System

[Quixx66]

Hi All,

Is there a journal, preferably oriented toward adults, I can buy to keep a record of health, food, weight, and so on? What is your system of record keeping for your tortoise?

Thanks.

Terri

 

[daniellenc]

You can use an excel spreadsheet if you’re inclined. Most just check weight every month or so to ensure growth.

 

[Quixx66]

I never thought about Excel. Thanks for the suggestion, daniellec.

 

[Quixx66]

What categories would I need to include?

 

[Yvonne G]

I keep my records on an EXCEL spreadsheet - Tortoise's name, species, sex, date I got it (or date hatched), weight, SCL measurement, measurement between anal scutes, then there's a 'remarks' section where I note anything noteworthy. I also make a column for 'disposition' in case I sell or give it away, or if it died.

(I tried to copy/paste a section of my spreadsheet, but the Forum doesn't maintain it in the same format)

 

[SweetGreekTorts]

I created a "Veterinarian Booklet" for all my Greeks. I currently have 12 babies that are 5 different subspecies/locales, and I'll be adding more this year. Lots of different tortoises that can get confusing to identify for anyone else.

The booklet has a profile page for each baby that includes their name, species, subspecies, hatch date, who I got it from (breeder), incubated gender (I know it's not guaranteed), a description of any identifying colors or patterns, any other babies that share the enclosure, a chart to track monthly weight and size, a blank box for additional notes, and a picture of the carapace of that particular baby (updated each year).

So if myself, or a pet sitter, ever has to take one of them to the Vet, the booklet goes with!

There's a separate tab in the booklet that includes details for the husbandry of each subspecies/locale, so the Vet will know that particular tortoise's enclosure specs, substrate, lights, temperatures, humidity, diet, etc. All the information they usually ask for.

 

[Cheryl Hills]

I Wright it in a notebook, weight dates, size, when acquired and birth. Also if they lay eggs and when

 

[Quixx66]

Thanks, you all. Great stuff!

 

[Blackdog1714]

I created a "Veterinarian Booklet" for all my Greeks. I currently have 12 babies that are 5 different subspecies/locales, and I'll be adding more this year. Lots of different tortoises that can get confusing to identify for anyone else.

The booklet has a profile page for each baby that includes their name, species, subspecies, hatch date, who I got it from (breeder), incubated gender (I know it's not guaranteed), a description of any identifying colors or patterns, any other babies that share the enclosure, a chart to track monthly weight and size, a blank box for additional notes, and a picture of the carapace of that particular baby (updated each year).

So if myself, or a pet sitter, ever has to take one of them to the Vet, the booklet goes with!

There's a separate tab in the booklet that includes details for the husbandry of each subspecies/locale, so the Vet will know that particular tortoise's enclosure specs, substrate, lights, temperatures, humidity, diet, etc. All the information they usually ask for.View attachment 262439View attachment 262440

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[RosemaryDW]

For a single tortoise?

I just keep my records in the note taking application on my iDevices.

One sheet per year from hibernation end to the beginning of the next; it includes weights and any behavior I think is distinctive (what she is/isn’t eating; how active she is; that kind of thing.

I keep her length and width on another note so that I can more easily eyeball her growth.

I used to keep track of everything she ate or was offered but at this point I know she has a good appetite and a healthy diet.

It’s nice to have the document in the cloud, so I can update it from wherever. My pictures are there, too, should I ever have a need to identify her.

 

[Quixx66]

Great idea. Thanks!