typical weight?

[pspryu101]

So today I just purchased a gram scale (finally) so I can take a record of my torts' weight. I have a redfoot that is almost a year or a i think a year old at about 6" with a weight of 136 grams. My question is what is the typical weight for his age and size? Is there some kind of formula or chart that shows weight of tortoises based on age or size out there? My guess is probably not because every tort is different :/

 

[theelectraco]

6 inches seems awfully big for a year old tortoise. I'm not good with tortoise weights but comparing my gecko (50g) to a tortoise that seems on the lighter side for something that size.

 

[Levi the Leopard]

All i can share is that my 4" leopard is over 250 grams.

 

[chase thorn]

Seems a tad bit on the light side.

 

[pspryu101]

Seems a tad bit on the light side.

i'll measure him tomorrow to get his exact size but yeah i got him from someone that couldn't take care of him anymore and only fed him spring mix

 

[chase thorn]

Make sure the scale is correct. Check it by weighing a penny minted after 1982, it should say 2.5g. If the penny is older and minted before 1982, it should say 3.11g

Just a tip I picked up when I bought a scale for my Leopard gecko.

 

[pspryu101]

Make sure the scale is correct. Check it by weighing a penny minted after 1982, it should say 2.5g. If the penny is older and minted before 1982, it should say 3.11g

Just a tip I picked up when I bought a scale for my Leopard gecko.

Nice! Good to know thanks!

 

[pspryu101]

Okay so I took your advice and calibrated my penny with older penny than 1982 and weighed Ralph. Turns out I was way off on his size because he is only about 3.5 inches, weighing in at 130.1 grams. Here's some pics of him

 

[chase thorn]

Thats about right!

 

[Madkins007]

There is a formula called the Donoghue Ratio that was developed by a veterinary nutritional specialist, but it does not work on very young tortoises as well.

The formula is :
- Straight line carapace length in centimeters (SCLcm), cubed, times 0.191 equals the target weight in grams, or
- or (SCLgr^3)0.191=WTgr

The closer your tortoise is to the target weight, the better.

To use this, you need a REALLY ACCURATE SCL and metric is almost always more accurate for this sort of thing. 3.5" is about 8.89cm, so we will use that.
- 8.89^3= 702.6
- 702.6 X 0.191= 134.2 target weight.

At 130.2gr, it is a bit underweight, but that may easily be due to an inaccurate length measurement or it may still be a bit young, although at a year it should work.

See also the article at https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/health-and-medical/healthy-weight-and-size

 

[pspryu101]

There is a formula called the Donoghue Ratio that was developed by a veterinary nutritional specialist, but it does not work on very young tortoises as well.

The formula is :
- Straight line carapace length in centimeters (SCLcm), cubed, times 0.191 equals the target weight in grams, or
- or (SCLgr^3)0.191=WTgr

The closer your tortoise is to the target weight, the better.

To use this, you need a REALLY ACCURATE SCL and metric is almost always more accurate for this sort of thing. 3.5" is about 8.89cm, so we will use that.
- 8.89^3= 702.6
- 702.6 X 0.191= 134.2 target weight.

At 130.2gr, it is a bit underweight, but that may easily be due to an inaccurate length measurement or it may still be a bit young, although at a year it should work.

See also the article at https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/health-and-medical/healthy-weight-and-size

Thanks Mark I will definitely keep that in mind when he's a little older

 

[Tom]

Turns out I was way off on his size because he is only about 3.5 inches...

Can't tell from your username, but you must be a guy.

 

[theelectraco]

Turns out I was way off on his size because he is only about 3.5 inches...

Can't tell from your username, but you must be a guy.

Hahahahahahhahahahahahahahaha it took me a second but then I lol'ed.

 

[WillTort2]

My assumption was that the op is a woman that had a man show her what 6 inches looked like.

 

[chase thorn]

Turns out I was way off on his size because he is only about 3.5 inches...

Can't tell from your username, but you must be a guy.

hahahahahahah!!!! Best post ever!

 

[pspryu101]

Yeah I'm a guy lol

 

[Tom]

Yeah I'm a guy lol

We're just funnin' ya. Sorry to sidetrack your thread.

 

[Madkins007]

I SO MUCH want to add a 'how to measure' gag here!