Hello everyone! I have a leopard tortoise that is turning 1 this month. She/he has only gained a couple ounces since I bought her/him 8 months ago. I feed her (let's just call it her for now) mazuri diet, Spring Mix lettuce, tomatoes (sometimes) and peppers (sometimes) am I doing something wrong?? I feel like she should be getting a lot bigger by now. I also make sure and soak her once every other day. She is very active and eats really good. No signs of health problems-is this normal or should I have her checked out?
Reptile & Amphibian Forums
Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.
Weight
Wyndham
Feb 10, 2005 12:50 PM
Replies (4)
EJ
Feb 10, 2005 04:18 PM
A couple of ounces in 8 months is a good amount if we are talking about a tortoise that is too small to sex.
Rate should be of no concern if all else is good.
-----
Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care
John316
Feb 10, 2005 04:20 PM
Two ounces equals out to around 60 grams I believe. Most keepers use a gram scale to weigh hatchlings and young juveniles since they are able to better portray actual weight gains.
60 grams is a pretty good weight gain over the period of several months. If you figure your babe hatched out at a weight of around 25 grams then it has at least doubled its weight and then some.
Wyndham
Feb 18, 2005 10:39 AM
Cool-Thanks everyone!
bena
Feb 28, 2005 05:10 PM
I got my leopard about 1 1/2 years ago. She was something under 4 oz when I got her @ 5 months old. I bought a food scale that weights up to 5 lbs. I have recorded all foods given every day since and recorded weight every week. I will look back to see weight gain over those early months - however my fear was always too much wight gain! I have never known how much to feed her because she is always hungry.
Just to share, I buy Timothy Hay and Orchard Hay at the local stores, soak it for 10 minutes in the morning and chop it up pretty well for her. This accounts for about 70% of diet. I also chop some cactus, and add hibiscus leaves, ficus leaves, kale, endive & dandilion greens, and mazuri on a rotating basis. I never tried green pepper or tomato. I always thought fruits were a no no with leopards?
Lately because things like kale and dandilion greens come in large bunches and rot before I can feed them, I have been hanging the bunches from nails in the basement. They dry up and then last forever. I simply add some to the soaking hay to rehydrate them - seems to work great. I don't know how much nutrition I am losing?
Regards, Ben
