Weight gain.

[Reggie]

Hi,just an update on “Dave”.He will be 2 in June.Ive weighed him every month he normally puts on between 1 and 3 grams.However last month he put on 10 grams and month before 8 grams.Nina did mention that in a previous post that he was a bit light for his age.He’s certainly not now.Is he doing too well?.The amount of food has remained the same.
Any suggestions.

[Nina]

Hi, and great to hear from you. It's good to know that he is eating well, but that is quite a weight gain for a small tortoise. My tortoises also sometimes gain a lot in a month (especially when they are outdoors and there is a lot to nibble on), but it averages out with other months, and the fact that they hibernate for about 3 months (from the end of November to early March).

What I don't understand is that you are feeding him the same amount. Weighing under the same conditions is advised, as they can lose several grammes just by having a poo, but 10g and 8g doesn't account for that (like if you weighed him just before a poo this time and just after a poo last time). So I'm not sure at all.

I remember Dave weighed 46g at the end of September. How much does he weigh now? Also, are you using the same scales (stupid question, I know, but different scales can give different readings, especially when it comes to low amounts).

Does he seem happy in himself and active? I wouldn't worry about it too much, except 18g is a big gain for a tortoise that weighed 46g about five months ago, so just keep an eye on him.

Nina

[Reggie]

Thks Nina hope all is well.He now weighs 78 grams.I use the same scales.He is very active and seems to be happy in his new large table.Iam hoping the weight gain might slow down this month.Maybe his doing too well.

[Nina]

I think he sounds just fine, and you've made him a super table. If he seems to be gaining way too much then just cut down on the amount you feed him. They always say a good guide is as much as he can eat in 15 minutes, once a day --- or enough leaves/flowers etc. that would make a little blanket to cover his shell once a day (I quite like that little image), but the weight records are the best guide.

Is he getting a good calcium + D3 supplement too?

Nina

[Reggie]

His Reptavite supplement.I will cut his down a little.
Thks

[Reggie]

His Reptavite supplement.I will cut his down a little.
Thks

[Nina]

Hi Reggie,

Although Reptavite has vitamin D3 and other vitamins and minerals in it, I don't think it contains calcium, and tortoises need loads of calcium to support all of that shell and bone (lol, and when you think of it, they are mostly bone and shell). i just looked it up and the ingredients are listed as:
Composition: Vitamins A, B, C, D3, E & K, Protein, Yeasts, Salts, Carbohydrate & Polysaccharide and Amino Acids.

Many people use Nutrobal as a calcium + D3 supplement, but many tortoises don't like the taste, and it's hard to get the right dose for a small tortoise (I think the dose is 11 pinch per kilo', and it is possible to overdose on D3 if you give too much). I now use RevitaliseD3 as my tortoises don't mind the taste and it contains calcium carbonate as well as the minerals and vitamins. https://tinyurl.com/3mpxy7y6
On days when I don't give the supplement I sprinkle pure food grade calcium carbonate powder on their food, and I wet the leaves so the powder sticks to them. You can easily buy it on the internet either as limestone flour or as pure calcium carbonate powder (just google 'food grade calcium carbonate powder and you'll find lots).

Nina