Hello all. I am unsure whether to be concerned and thought I would seek advice and guidance from more experienced keepers.
I have two juvenile Leopard tortoises, both hatched January 2019 (I have had them since August) and until recently, I have been delighted with their development. I have followed the care sheet advice closely and ensure that their temperatures and humidity mirror this advice. I feed them largely on homegrown weeds, grasses and flowers plus a very small amount of store brought products now that we are in the winter months here in the UK.
I weigh my tortoises weekly to track their growth and one of them, the smaller one of the two (whom I have concerns about) appears to be struggling to gain weight, and has recently started to lose it. The other is the direct opposite and seems to be gaining weight and growing, almost too quickly. So because they’re so different, I am unsure which of the two is growing more ‘normally’ (for want of a better word!) Here’s the recorded weight for the little one that I’m concerned about:
17.08.19 - 67g
25.08.19 - 71g
01.09.19 - 70g
08.09.19 - 71g
15.09.19 - 76g
22.09.19 - 71g
29.09.19 - 71g
06.10.19 - 80g
13.10.19 - 75g
20.10.19 - 83g
27.10.19 - 80g
03.11.19 - 83g
10.11.19 - 82g
17.11.19 - 85g
24.11.19 - 82g
01.12.19 - 85g
08.12.19 - 85g
15.12.19 - 83g
22.12.19 - 75g
Other than weight loss, there are no causes for concern; he eats well, drinks often, is bathed daily, and has a curious and active personality. I haven’t seen him poo now for 3-4 days so I have extended his bath times to try and encourage this. I also tried to feed him a little aloe Vera yesterday but he wasn’t interested, but I shall persist. I don’t think something is wrong with their environment or set up because the other tortoise seems to be thriving - of course, I may be wrong.
Should I be concerned by his lack of weight gain and recent loss? Or am I over worrying? Any advice or guidance with what to look out for / things to try / other’s experience most welcome.
Thank you all in advance.
Callum
I have two juvenile Leopard tortoises, both hatched January 2019 (I have had them since August) and until recently, I have been delighted with their development. I have followed the care sheet advice closely and ensure that their temperatures and humidity mirror this advice. I feed them largely on homegrown weeds, grasses and flowers plus a very small amount of store brought products now that we are in the winter months here in the UK.
I weigh my tortoises weekly to track their growth and one of them, the smaller one of the two (whom I have concerns about) appears to be struggling to gain weight, and has recently started to lose it. The other is the direct opposite and seems to be gaining weight and growing, almost too quickly. So because they’re so different, I am unsure which of the two is growing more ‘normally’ (for want of a better word!) Here’s the recorded weight for the little one that I’m concerned about:
17.08.19 - 67g
25.08.19 - 71g
01.09.19 - 70g
08.09.19 - 71g
15.09.19 - 76g
22.09.19 - 71g
29.09.19 - 71g
06.10.19 - 80g
13.10.19 - 75g
20.10.19 - 83g
27.10.19 - 80g
03.11.19 - 83g
10.11.19 - 82g
17.11.19 - 85g
24.11.19 - 82g
01.12.19 - 85g
08.12.19 - 85g
15.12.19 - 83g
22.12.19 - 75g
Other than weight loss, there are no causes for concern; he eats well, drinks often, is bathed daily, and has a curious and active personality. I haven’t seen him poo now for 3-4 days so I have extended his bath times to try and encourage this. I also tried to feed him a little aloe Vera yesterday but he wasn’t interested, but I shall persist. I don’t think something is wrong with their environment or set up because the other tortoise seems to be thriving - of course, I may be wrong.
Should I be concerned by his lack of weight gain and recent loss? Or am I over worrying? Any advice or guidance with what to look out for / things to try / other’s experience most welcome.
Thank you all in advance.
Callum