Weight gain

[Ren91]

Hey!
I have had my hermann since may and been keeping an eye on his weight gain. He was generally gaining 4-5g a month. Untill the last month or so its been more. Recently in 2 weeks he has gained 8g. I am not giving him anything different is this bad?
Im a first time owner. He is 14month old.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello!
Steady weight gain is fine. Sometimes they go on "grow spurts", sometimes slow down a little. Also, results depend on when you weight him (before or after feeding, soaking etc.). How much does he weigh now?

My tortoise (7 y.o.) is gaining about 1% of body mass a week (6 grams when she was 600 grams and 12-15 grams now when she is almost 1500 grams). Yearlings gain more (often doubling their weight every year for the first 2-3 years).

 

[Ren91]

Hello!
Steady weight gain is fine. Sometimes they go on "grow spurts", sometimes slow down a little. Also, results depend on when you weight him (before or after feeding, soaking etc.). How much does he weigh now?

My tortoise (7 y.o.) is gaining about 1% of body mass a week (6 grams when she was 600 grams and 12-15 grams now when she is almost 1500 grams). Yearlings gain more (often doubling their weight every year for the first 2-3 years).

I did weigh him after he had ate today actually and a few weeks ago it had slowed down. He weighs 102g today.
I just worried i was feeding him to much or something but tbh he doesnt always eat what i give him.
Thanks for the reply!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I did weigh him after he had ate today actually and a few weeks ago it had slowed down. He weighs 102g today.
I just worried i was feeding him to much or something but tbh he doesnt always eat what i give him.
Thanks for the reply!

It's hard to overfeed a tortoise with correct diet and spacious enclosure. So let him eat whenever he wants and as much as he wants (but not whatever he wants )

 

[Ren91]

It's hard to overfeed a tortoise with correct diet and spacious enclosure. So let him eat whenever he wants and as much as he wants (but not whatever he wants )

Oh thankyou! You have made me feel much better.
I done so much research before i got him but everything says something different.
Cant get him to eat flowers tho

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

There can be differences, for sure. Some care sheets have regional specific, some are overly cautious and some, on the opposite, are too burdened with unnecessary complications. Not to mention, that husbandry and science evolves with time and some recommendations are simply outdated but still repeated over and over.

If he is picky, you'll have to slowly introduce him new food items. Sometimes a single hand-feeding is enough, sometimes you have to add barely noticeable pieces of something new to familiar foods and gradually increase the proportion. Also, there are seasonal preferences. So don't worry and don't rush, be persistent and you will succeed