How much should horsefield tortoises weigh?
The smaller of the two was 142.9 grams (5 ounces) and 82.56mm (3.22 inches) in length. The larger was 201.7g (7.3 ounces) and 95.97mm (3.77 inches). As you can see, the growth can vary greatly.
At what age is a horsefield tortoise fully grown?
It can never reach full size if the conditions at which it is kept do not allow it and at the same time it can reach full size in a few years. The rate of growth applies to all tortoises, probably around 10 years and they will be nearing max size.
How much weight should a tortoise put on a month?
I feel that the 3-4 grams a month rule is applicable for hatchling tortoises but you need to scale that up as the grow. With young tortoises its not all about storing fat, as they grow their shell, bone and muscle density increases so I would be worried if an older tortoise wasn’t exceeding 3-4 grams a month!
What weight should a tortoise be to hibernate?
Weigh your tortoise just before putting them away hibernation. A tortoise should lose around 1% of its mass monthly, so a three month hibernation for a 1.5kg tortoise results in it losing 45g over the period.
Should I weigh my tortoise?
Weighing and Measuring Regular recordings of accurate weight and measurements of your tortoise are an essential part of its care. If the tortoise is new to you then weigh it weekly and measure its length monthly. For older tortoises monthly weight and length measurement checks are fine.
Should I hibernate my horsefield tortoise?
The natural cycle of a Horsefield tortoise in the wild is to hibernate for months during the wintertime. You should never hibernate a tortoise that is sick or under-weight for its size as this usually results in death.
How long do horsefield tortoises sleep?
Tortoises will generally be awake during the day. However babies can sleep for between 19-22 hours a day.
How big does a Horsefield tortoise get in size?
Depending on the gender, they can reach as large as 25 cm, or 9.8 inches, in length. The Horsefield tortoise is a smaller species of tortoise. The males commonly have longer tails that they keep tucked to the side of their shell, while the females have short, stubby ones. They can have a life span of 75 years, or even more if properly cared for.
How do you measure the weight of a tortoise?
If the tortoise can be lifted then one option is to first weigh yourself on the bathroom scales and record the weight. Then pick up the tortoise and weigh yourself holding the tortoise (you may need a second person to take the reading) and record the weight.
Is it important for a tortoise to have a healthy weight?
Ensuring your tortoise is a healthy weight is important, particularly during the early years of life when they are still growing.
Can a young tortoise be put on the scales?
Young tortoises can be put directly onto the scales providing ALL of the animal fits on to it. For adult tortoises place a plant pot on the scales and reset the weight to zero.