Hi all I am trying to workout if the growth of my Herman’s is normal the sampler one is averaging around 5 grams a week and my bigger Herman is putting on around 8 grams a week, is this healthy? My bigger one is 635g and barley 2 years old in August ?
Weight query
- Thread starter Damien1
- Start date
Steady weight gain is imperative as they will grow slow as they live for ages. We have seen tortoise so overweight for their shell size because the diet was appaling. Tortoise can be unhappy in pairs so the slow growth one may be stressed and smaller but it also depends on what your feeding, hydration, heat, light , soaks as what goes in has to be digested and they need to have space to move. Share pics of the tortoise and enclosure.
Thanks for the reply, I tend to mainly give them natural food like dandelion leaves and a few other weeds that grow in the garden, to be honest when I bought them off a breeder the small one was really tiny, that’s why we took him/her, rarely I treat them to peas, on the odd occasion blueberry with kale, but mainly like I mentioned natural weeds washed, I will send some pictures of there house, they seem to be fine and do not fight or anything, but saying that I do not speak tortoise so who knows what they say to each other lol, but from what I see they seem happy together hopefully it lasts
Actually why I am asking a question can you tell me if I should be concerned about their shell, not sure if it is pyramiding or if that is normal for some breeds, I have not given them any calcium for a couple of weeks because someone said at pets at home that could be the reason even though I only sprinkle on a small amount twice a week
Sounds good just keep monitoring they are young so you have time yet . When maturity hits in things may change. Glad your weighing and keeping a logs. I have found it invaluable and a fast way to know gain and loss and act fast. Re last Question Calcium , uvb ultra important ensure regular light sprinkle on food twice a week to ensure quality shell, bone and claw strength.
Last edited:
Pyramiding is mainly a bi-product of insufficient humidity and hydration. As a tortoise keeper our aim is smooth shell as their spine is under it and will have other health issues. Please check out the care sheet and review heat, light, humidity, soaks. Adding cuttle fish bone permanantly in the enclosure is great as it is on hand and they help themselves.
Similar threads
