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04-10-2008, 01:58 PM
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Tortoise diary
Hi there,
Does anyone keep a tortoise diary? Y'know, writing what they eat each day, how active they were etc? Does anyone pay for the 'Tortoise Diary' software and would you say it was worth the fee? Is it better to just keep a log of the weight and length so that you can see any problems or does the Tortoise Diary programme make it easier to see anything concerning? I know that it plots the weight and length onto seperate graphs for you but this is not the same as the Jackson ratio is it? So-what do you all do????  
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04-10-2008, 02:20 PM
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I keep a little jotter with their weights and lengths in so that I can take it to the vets and he can see the records. I don't keep records of activity or amount of food eaten as I know how they correspond to the weight/length records. I have recently got the tortoise diary so it's too early to see if it's useful or not. As far as the Jackson ratio goes.....my torts are 2 years old and not big enough for it, I did find one for torts under 6 months old and my two plot on that as underweight and not big enough! I asked my vet about it and he said that what is important is that the length to weight ratio is ok for each tort' as an individual and not to worry over the Jackson ratio because it just causes worry. I have thrown my Jackson ratio charts in the bin because they were at the vets yesterday and their length to weight ratio is fine.
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Karen  
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04-10-2008, 02:34 PM
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Quote:
 I read before that the Jackson ratio was pretty much useless for baby torts so how do you see that the length to weight ratio is ok then? I thought that the Jackson ratio was to see if SCL to weight ratio was ok by looking at where the tort would be on the graph but if I was to weigh and measure my tort-how would I know that the weight was good for the length of her? Waffled a bit there  Do you see what I mean though?Thank you for your help  Last edited by xscrunchee; 04-10-2008 at 02:34 PM.. Reason: Typo- ration instead of ratio. lol
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04-10-2008, 02:41 PM
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With 20 odd free range torts you would have to give up work and buy some tracking equipment LOL I do spot checks on my torts daily and weigh at regular intervals to see that nothing is going amiss. I don't use the jackson ratio except with new torts as many home bred torts have thicker shells than usual or odd shapes and so it then becomes useless. I find it is only realy of use with wild grown torts.
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04-10-2008, 03:25 PM
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Hi Sue,
So in your opinion would you say that so long as they are looking and acting fine, gaining weight and growing that they are fine then? I want to weigh and measure Nanna so that I can keep a log of her progress but I also don't want to be terrified if the Jackson ratio says she is a little underweight, or too big/too small etc.
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04-10-2008, 03:34 PM
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If Nana is an adult tortoise with WC origin then I would use the Jackson ratio as a start point, providing she is a species that comes into this category. When I hibernate my tortoises I use the previous seasons box and check the weights against the previous seasons. Each spring I do the same checking against previous years records. Throughout the season I do spot checks as mentioned. Obviously with new tortoises it is a good idea to be more vigilant and keep more regular records. I have one hermanni adult that is long and thin and always comes out on the Jackson ratio as underweight. Conversely I have a very rotund female who shows as being grossly overweight while she obviously is not - do you see where I am coming from. If your tortoise currently feels heavy like a rock and not light as in an empty shell then I would take this as a good sign and keep regular records of weight and (if still growing) length. Hope this helps
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04-10-2008, 04:01 PM
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Nanna is only 10 weeks old so the Jackson ratio would be no good to her for quite some time anyway. I think I will keep an eye on her and make sure that she is growing and gaining weight steadily but not worry about much else as long as she is feeding fine, acting fine and that her shell is growing nice and smooth  Thanks again
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04-10-2008, 04:03 PM
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I keep meticulous records on all of mine....40++ now....but I am lucky to not work.
Each tort has a intro page with breed.subspecies...prev homes ..date came...prev owner details...and pics...especially a good plastron shot. The next page is a diary page...on which I note significant events.....such as first day up in the spring...new torts added to groups...new plants/fences/coldframes/improvements. Also any illness...odd behaviour...visits to vets...injury...For some there are few entries....for others more. The next page is weights....out of hibernation....monthly...in hibernation.....but as Sue says you get to know the feel of a tort with a good weight....I call it the full meat pie feel.....I must admit some only get weighed in and out og hibernation...as I know them like I know myself.... The next page is a comprehensive hibernation record...from weights to temperatures, to where they hibernated...to the medium used in the boxes...to the timescale.....everything... The next page is history/letters/contacts/visits all recorded between me and the previous owners.. The final section is their certs...if they have any and microchip details if they have them. Hope this helped...and hope you didnt get bored.....my family shake their heads...and smile...I guess in a lovingly condescending way....
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04-10-2008, 04:14 PM
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That's impressive Helen! I'm sure you need to do that with having so many!!!! When you only have one or two, you remember how their mood/behaviour was and the changes you make. I think as long as you record their weight and length Jay, you will remember the other stuff!!
__________________
Karen
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