Russian Underweight?

[Aleksei]

I just got a scale after not having one for a couple of months, and Aleksei comes in at 153g. He just turned 8 months old. He feels a little light, I think.

I give him his size in greens three or four times a day, so there is food available all day long, always a variety. I give him (now soaked) junior pellets three times a week. Should I give him more? He LOVES pellets, he would eat them every day, but I worry he won't eat his greens if I give him too many. He's a good eater, but leaves some at each 'meal', though he'll come back and eat them later until they're too wilty and then he passes.

He's pretty active, and loves to climb and do laps around his enclosure. Is he okay?

 

[LoriP]

Can’t wait to see the answers on this one! I have the exact same question about my 14-month old who looks identical to yours, but I was under the impression that my guy could be obese.

 

[Aleksei]

I am bumping this up again. He's 218g and about 10cm (SCL), which gives him a Jackson Ratio of 0.218, which is supposed to be okay, but he's not gaining much. I weighed him 11 days ago, and in that time, he's only gained 3g. He's ten months old now.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I don't think you should look at the ratio too closely. Here is a thread on ratios:

Donoghue Ratio

Hello all! Curious to see what the majority of members think about the Donoghue Ratio when it comes to determining healthy tortoise weights. I saw a previous post on here about this subject, but it was from many years ago and is closed for comments. Was just wondering if anyone’s found...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I am bumping this up again. He's 218g and about 10cm (SCL), which gives him a Jackson Ratio of 0.218, which is supposed to be okay, but he's not gaining much. I weighed him 11 days ago, and in that time, he's only gained 3g. He's ten months old now.

So, he was 153 grams at 8 months and 218 grams at 10 months? It's more than 30% gain. How often do you weigh him? Do weigh him always at the same time? (e.g. after soaking and before feeding).

 

[Aleksei]

So, he was 153 grams at 8 months and 218 grams at 10 months? It's more than 30% gain. How often do you weigh him? Do weigh him always at the same time? (e.g. after soaking and before feeding).

I weigh him about once a week, just before I soak him, so yes, at the same time every time.

Most recently, on Sept 20, he weighed 225g. (He will be 11 months on the 27th.)

I can't find anywhere that tells me how much he should weigh, and he's my first tortoise, so I'm worried. I feel like he should feel heavier for his size, but I don't know why I think that.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I weigh him about once a week, just before I soak him, so yes, at the same time every time.

Most recently, on Sept 20, he weighed 225g. (He will be 11 months on the 27th.)

I can't find anywhere that tells me how much he should weigh, and he's my first tortoise, so I'm worried. I feel like he should feel heavier for his size, but I don't know why I think that.

There are a few indicators (look here for details: https://tortoiselibrary.com/health-and-medical-2/healthy-weight-and-size/ ), but they aren't very accurate. Age/weight tables are even less informative - tortoises grow in their own pace and a lot of factors influence growth speed.

If you observe steady monthly gain - things are going well. Another way to estimate body condition is pick up your tortoise - it should feel surprisingly heavy, more like a pebble than a bread bun. While it's extremely subjective, it's pretty intuitive at the same time.

Make sure your tortoise gets as much "right" food as he wants and whenever he wants, keep him hydrated, maintain correct temperatures and humidity and he should be fine.

 

[LoriP]

I weigh him about once a week, just before I soak him, so yes, at the same time every time.

Most recently, on Sept 20, he weighed 225g. (He will be 11 months on the 27th.)

I can't find anywhere that tells me how much he should weigh, and he's my first tortoise, so I'm worried. I feel like he should feel heavier for his size, but I don't know why I think that.

 

[LoriP]

They seem to be different just like humans. Look at the diversity of my 6 babies! Had to graph because I was worried MJ was too big. If anything your kid is even bigger!

But I also have a German Shepherd that is crazy off the charts for a 17-month old female. And she has zero DNA of the super large dogs. But all my kids are healthy.

 

[LoriP]

I don't think you should look at the ratio too closely. Here is a thread on ratios:

Donoghue Ratio

Hello all! Curious to see what the majority of members think about the Donoghue Ratio when it comes to determining healthy tortoise weights. I saw a previous post on here about this subject, but it was from many years ago and is closed for comments. Was just wondering if anyone’s found...

tortoiseforum.org

I look at tortoise (dog ratios too) as I did for my human children. My eldest human was well under the 50th percentile while my youngest was right at the 100th. You can’t say all humans should weigh “x” at 10 months as everyone is different.

 

[RandyTortoise]

I wouldn’t worry at all. As long as he is active, eating well and his behavior hasn’t changed drastically, they all grow and add weight different than other animals. Eventually, the charts can indicate a goal weight at an age, but remember those are guides and averages, which means half of the sample is below and above the “average”.

Again, if he is eating and active he will catch up to the chart in a few years.

Also heed the call out on good quality food and you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Aleksei]

I appreciate all the reassurance. I think he's okay. He's going to be a year old in a little over a week and he's up to 245g. He gained 16 grams in one week, and then 2 and 2 the next two weeks. But I think he's healthy and happy, and that's what matters.

I rail against BMI for humans, it's a terrible way to measure what someone 'should' weigh because human bodies are so different, and I'm doing the same thing to Aleksei! Thanks for the reminder! I needed that!

 

[RandyTortoise]

I appreciate all the reassurance. I think he's okay. He's going to be a year old in a little over a week and he's up to 245g. He gained 16 grams in one week, and then 2 and 2 the next two weeks. But I think he's healthy and happy, and that's what matters.

I rail against BMI for humans, it's a terrible way to measure what someone 'should' weigh because human bodies are so different, and I'm doing the same thing to Aleksei! Thanks for the reminder! I needed that!

I am glad to see you worried about this! Worrying means you care and are trying to be a great tortoise owner! Good work, you are doing a good job!