keeping a growth log of tortoises

[NEtorts]

I have been keeping a growth log of my torts since i started keeping them about 8 years ago, does anyone else do this? my family just did our "weigh ins" today and were surprised at which torts were growing the fastest... i need to put this info in a graph form and try to post it.....
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[Yvonne G]

I take a picture and weigh the tortoises once a year. I have an EXCEL spread sheet that I printed out and I fill in the spaces in pencil. Easier for me that way than keeping it in the computer. Then I staple the new picture each year to the back of the form and file it in my filing cabinet. Keeping a more-or-less current picture of your tortoise, including any identifying marks, helps you get him back in case your tortoise is lost and someone finds it. Its also a good idea to have a family member be in the picture too.

 

[tortoisenerd]

I weighed and measured my tort weekly when he was a hatchling, and now at two years old I do it monthly. I think its very important to do this as a slow down in growth or weight loss can be signs of health problems. I have a kitchen scale and digital calipers and write the info on paper and later graph it. I also bring the growth chart into his vet's office when he gets his yearly check ups and fecal tests. Good tips, Yvonne! Proof of ownership can easily be done with a photo like you describe. Now that my tort is older and I'm not obsessive with photos, taking yearly birthday photos is something fun and easy.

 

[Tom]

I'm doing this for the first time with my new hatchlings. They hatched in May and I've got a weekly weight chart for them.

 

[Madkins007]

I measure SCL (straight-line carapace length) in centimeters, and weight in grams. There are other things you can measure, but these are the things that are the most useful to us. I also photo top, bottom, side, and head.

I try to measure little guys every month, 1-7 years every couple months, and older every quarter- but I am bad at keeping the schedule.

Some things I do that may help others:

- My Excel spreadsheet goes by age in months, rather than the date. This way, I can look across a row and see all of the sizes at the same month- who is bigger, who is lagging? If I have to guess the birth month, I can do so by matching to other records.

- I have a column that automatically figures the formula for dehydration for me. Makes it easier to see how they are doing.

 

[HarleyK]

I just started weighing my RF and I plan on graphing the data in grams on excel. I will be weighing him once a month and taking a picture of him once a month next to a dollar bill. The scale I got was from ebay and it was only $6 including shipping. It has an 11 lb max though but it iswell worth the money.

 

[Meg90]

I do it monthly, have since all of mine arrived

 

[Tracy Gould]

i weigh Shelby weekly at the moment and record it on a chart were i also record what as been feed each day so i am not repeating the same foods to often and can get an idea on what foods seem to increase weight faster.