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What is the more correct way to measure a Tortoise....I have only delt with people ...at least honest people that measure the plastron...I recently bought a Tortoise from someone that measured their Tortoise by the carapace and the Tortoise was much smaller than i anticipated...granted i should have verified that it was measured the correct way...but what do you guys think is the correct and honest way of measureing a Tortoises Length.
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Michael Enriquez

Neither of these ways are correct. Straight Carapace Length (SCL) is the standard. To measure SCL, place the tortoise on a piece of paper (if its small enough). With a pencil, mark a line on the paper at the front of the carapace, and then at the back. Then measure the distance between the 2 lines. That is the SCL.

Measuring over the top of the carapace is common, and WRONG. It will always yield a size greater than the actual SCL.

>>What is the more correct way to measure a Tortoise....I have only delt with people ...at least honest people that measure the plastron...I recently bought a Tortoise from someone that measured their Tortoise by the carapace and the Tortoise was much smaller than i anticipated...granted i should have verified that it was measured the correct way...but what do you guys think is the correct and honest way of measureing a Tortoises Length.
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>>Michael Enriquez

well...the way you described is what i meant but did not describe correctly.
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Michael Enriquez

I am the party that sold Michael the disputed tortoise. I measured said tortoise by an even more accurate method for obtaining straight-line carapace length than the aforementioned pencil and paper-I used a set of calipers. I did NOT measure over the curve. By the caliper method the tortoise was a 10 incher-of course the plastron measured barely over 9. That's irrelevant. The tortoise was honestly represented as a 10 inch animal based on the industry and professional standard-straight-line carapace length.

Best regards,

Brad Chambers

wel...he said it not me...if anybody would like to see the pics of the 9 inche tortoise please email me and i will be glad to send them...i measured it straight line and it is 9 inches.
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Michael Enriquez

Scott I have a question on measuring. I have a 50 lb sulcata and was told it was 24 inches in length but when I measured the top by stretching a tape over it, it measure around 22-23 inches.

Now I now that that is incorrect and the proper way as you described is the good way, how do you measure a sulcata with your system when the bottom shell (plasterne) is out farther than the carapace (top shell)?????

I am new to torts and am having a ball with my new sulcata (speedy) and learning all that I can be to be a good dad and friend to him (speedy is a definite male)

Thanks
bob