How do you measure a tortoise? I have a baby and wanted to track its growth in order to accommodate his changing his changing dietary needs.
Thanks!
Thanks!
measurements
- Thread starter big_red_tortoise
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1) SCL=Straight Carapace Length
http://www.tlady.clara.net/measure.htm
2) and weigh it regularly- same day each month.
3) Record
Also if it is tiny you can trace it or set it on a scanner and scan it (just make sure the scanner does not get hot).
If you trace it each month you trace over the original and mark the date and wt.
What ever method you use, use the same one each time whether you record it weekly, bi-monthyl or monthly.
http://www.tlady.clara.net/measure.htm
2) and weigh it regularly- same day each month.
3) Record
Also if it is tiny you can trace it or set it on a scanner and scan it (just make sure the scanner does not get hot).
If you trace it each month you trace over the original and mark the date and wt.
What ever method you use, use the same one each time whether you record it weekly, bi-monthyl or monthly.
Crazy1 said:
Ha! That link was neat Crazy1. I have never seen that done before. I will have to remember that. Thank you!
ARKelly
SCL and weight (in mm and gr.) are my favorites, but based on notes I have seen in field work research, I have also been tracking a few other things...
- CCL- Curved Carapace Length- the distance from the notch behind the head to the point above the tail, measured along the back. When I started to measure this, I was fascinated by the results- my big guy was growing quicker measured in CCL than in SCL. I have also seen some formula somewhere that suggests that you MAY be able to either sex or determine a region for Red-foots based on the ratio of SCL to CCL. Further research was called for.
- Plastron ring count. Counting the same 4 plastron scutes and reporting the average ring count. It certainly disproves the 'count the rings for age' element, but it also seems to be an interesting indicator of growth rates.
By the way- I LOVE TLady's method of SCL measurement- but be aware that this method gets you different results than calipers or some other methods do because of he notch behind the head. Not a big deal or big difference, just something to note if you use different methods.
- CCL- Curved Carapace Length- the distance from the notch behind the head to the point above the tail, measured along the back. When I started to measure this, I was fascinated by the results- my big guy was growing quicker measured in CCL than in SCL. I have also seen some formula somewhere that suggests that you MAY be able to either sex or determine a region for Red-foots based on the ratio of SCL to CCL. Further research was called for.
- Plastron ring count. Counting the same 4 plastron scutes and reporting the average ring count. It certainly disproves the 'count the rings for age' element, but it also seems to be an interesting indicator of growth rates.
By the way- I LOVE TLady's method of SCL measurement- but be aware that this method gets you different results than calipers or some other methods do because of he notch behind the head. Not a big deal or big difference, just something to note if you use different methods.
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