I decided to weigh my two boys today.

Georgie is 144grams, he is a 2006 hatching.

Freddie 89grams he is 1 yr old, hatched May 2006.

Are their weights about right??

its very difficult to determine the "correct" weight of an animal. even two torts hatched on the same day, from the same clutch can have a huge weight difference. its much better to keep track of the weights on a weekly/fortnightly basis so you can see an average weight gain on a graph/chart over a period of time. i use a hard bound note book but soem people use a tortoise weight/growth tracking software. its free to download, just google tortoise diary.

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Oh thanks I might take alook at that.

I just did it so that I could keep a record really, I used to do it for my guinea pigs when I bred them.

Which one is the Hermann and which is the Marginated? Oh and do you mean Freddie was hatched in 2007 not 2006!

My near three year old Hermann is 89g, that is with making sure she grows slowly and smoothly.

i keep records for all of my animals except the dogs. for my torts i weigh them once every week, measure the SCL once a month and also keep track of things like poo consistency, and check the eyes, mouth, head, neck skin, shell and vent. I find the records are an invaluable source of info for vets trips and can help to spot any indications of illness.

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Sorry Georgie is the Hermann, he was hatched in 2006 according to the certificate.

Freddie is the Marginated, he came from a UK breeder so I know his details are correct. He was hatched 6.5.07

I would say be careful with how much you feed Georgie, even weeds can make them put on weight too quickly. The Hermann I mentioned hatched in 2005 and is only 89g. My 5 year old Hermann is only about 220g, and he is a bit bumpy from the wrong care for the first year. Obviously Marginated torts are bigger than Hermanns, so they will be bigger from the beginning.

Im going to measure him later, he is quite big. His shell looks good though, Im wondering now if he is older than his paperwork is saying.

Well if it helps at all mine is 8.5 months old and has a SCL of 5.5cm and weighs 41.6g.

Since I've had her she's averaged out at a weight gain of 3g per month so if she carries on at that level she'll weigh approx 52g when she's a year old. Though she's far more active now she's outside so may not put on so much each month.

I wouldn't worry about it too much - just keep a regular check on his weight gain from now on - if it's too much decrease his food a little, if it's not enough increase it a litte.

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Cheers Tina.

Been really busy in the garden over the last two days so havent measured the boys yet but all will be quiet tomorrow so I will do it then.

Oh and Ive got a brilliant start for my new enclosure, will take pics and show you tomorrow.