Indian Star Growth Patterns and Advice

[AvrilsMum]

Hello!

I'm wondering if someone who has long-term experience with Indian Star tortoises can ease my mind a little. I have never owned a tortoise before and I am determined to give my pet the best life possible.

I have a six month old female called Avril. She was bought as a two month old baby direct from a reputable breeder. I personally chose her as a one-day-old hatchling and was informed by the breeder that the incubation temp would probably yeild an all female clutch.

Avril has settled into life with us very well. She seems happy, is eating for England and loves wallowing in her special rock-pool. She often sleeps with her head protruding slightly from her shell and lying on the substrate, which I am assured is a sign of security.

Avril is growing well and I was inclined to take her to the vet recently for a check-up to make sure she was well and happy. The vet said I should weigh her at least one every two weeks and keep a record of her growth. I have already been weighing her for a while and have noticed a growth pattern which I am not sure is normal.
Avril seems to gain a gram or so in weight in a little over a month then will gain about another gram in a week, then loses the extra gram again as she gets physically bigger. Overall she is getting heavier and bigger but her weight does seem to fluctuate a little. Is this anything I should be concerned about? I have read that they grow in 'rings' and perhaps the energy needed to grow eats up the extra gram she gains so quickly. Could this be possible?

Regards,
Avril's Mum.

[Zoo-Man]

I do not own Indian Stars (yet!) but I do know they are not as easy to maintain than the more commonly kept species.

Im sure some of the Star owners, such as SWSarah, will be along soon with some advice.

[SWsarah]

Thanks colin xx
I keep stars wonderfull tortoises
I would not worry about losing a gram. Your tortoise could have just had a wee or poo. As long as he is gaining eating well don't worry.
Stars are so hard to grow smooth.
My first stars were 13g when I got them. Now one is 200g the other only 100g they all grow at different rates. My largest female is 600g

[Whosthedaddy]

Difference could be dry weights, as in just voided and weights when pee and poo not come out yet? It makes a difference in humans as does the time of day we are weighed, same with tortoises?

Just spit balling.

Where's the pics? They are very pretty tortoises.

[AvrilsMum]

I am sure I'm just being an over-cautious owner. I'm aware how delicate this breed is and I just don't want my tortoise to suffer due to my ignorance. Have done masses of homework but theory is not as good as experience. Thanks for your help.

[littlestar]

hi im the opposite i think mine are putting on too much wieght (but they seem fine and healthy)what sort of grub do you feed her?

[AvrilsMum]

She mostly eats clover, dandilion, plantain and daisy leaves. I usually give her some of the young flower shoots growing in the immediate area as the other four. I'm careful only to pick weeds and everything she is fed is washed and dusted with calcium powder or D3 enriched suppliment (once a week).

I've tried 'ZOO-MED Natural Grassland Tortoise Food' too. It's a dried pellet you moisten before giving to the pet. She will eat it but will ignore it if any form of leaf matter is available.

[AvrilsMum]

I am aware that they all have different growth rates but Avril is 29.1g at 7 months old. Does this seem reasonable?

[littlestar]

are you still managing to find weeds in winter? im still buying supermarket grub very little in the way a weeds but there sprouting in the gardens now. what wieght was she when you got her? mine love de-seeded gourgettes and there food dusted with reptavitite 2 times a week the other 5 calcium powder.

[Zoo-Man]

Originally Posted by SWsarah

Thanks colin xx
I keep stars wonderfull tortoises
I would not worry about losing a gram. Your tortoise could have just had a wee or poo. As long as he is gaining eating well don't worry.
Stars are so hard to grow smooth.
My first stars were 13g when I got them. Now one is 200g the other only 100g they all grow at different rates. My largest female is 600g

No probs hun. You were the first person I thought of as a Star owner. We should meet up at Darrens sometime. Maybe in the next couple of weeks when Lolly comes into season & takes a trip to have a liason with Chocolate Chip! hehe xx