Tortoise weight

[Georgec]

Was told that i can check if my tortoise is enough fed for the winter , by checking its weight ... is that true ? Where i can get a chart about the proper weight ?

 

[Yvonne G]

If I'm remembering correctly, you have a Greek tortoise. The Jackson ratio works for the Testudo species:

http://www.totallytortoise.co.uk/guides/charts-calculators/jackson-ratio/jackson-ratio-calculator/

 

[JoesMum]

The Jackson ratio only works for larger Greeks. It should not be used for young animals.

Assuming you have a young animal, you are looking for steady weight gain, but probably slower than you will see in summer.

For mature tortoises, assuming your tort is a healthy weight (see Jackson ratio) then you are simply looking for that tortoise to keep a steady weight.

 

[Georgec]

You remember correctly thanks ..

 

[Georgec]

So i have a two and some years old greek with 135 mm lenght and 383 gr weight.. he is asleep in the backyard in a cave like pot .. he found it himself.. jackson ratio is 0.16.. is that bad or is he too young to use the jackson ratio??

 

[JoesMum]

So i have a two and some years old greek with 135 mm lenght and 383 gr weight.. he is asleep in the backyard in a cave like pot .. he found it himself.. jackson ratio is 0.16.. is that bad or is he too young to use the jackson ratio??

Jackson ratio doesn't work until a tortoise reaches 500 grammes at least.

 

[Georgec]

Jackson ratio doesn't work until a tortoise reaches 500 grammes at least.

So ill consider the result to be missleading?? or i should overwinter him using heating pads and uvb fluorence light?

 

[Georgec]

I keep his outside in his natural habitat.. thought that is the appropriate thing to do since he is local

 

[JoesMum]

So ill consider the result to be missleading?? or i should overwinter him using heating pads and uvb fluorence light?

The result is misleading. If you don't hibernate him, he needs a proper basking lamp and a UVB source.

The temperature must be 35C (95-100F) directly under the basking lamp.

Overnight the temperature must not drop below 60F/15C. If you need extra heat, get a Ceramic Heat Emitter and use it with a thermostat.

Heat pads are not suitable