Hello All

I have just got a set of scales for my Horsfield Teddy,He is actually looking like a she lol...We shall see... I have weighed Teddy and the reading I got was just under 60gs..Is this acceptable for my little one, Teddy hatched on 5th Aug, so is just under 5months old. I am going to take a pic in a min of he or she's below area lol...hope he/she doesnt get too embarrassed hehe.I will add the pic shortly. Thanks

I did my best getting these pics, Teddy wasn't very impressed lol...Any thoughts please...Girl or Boy??? Thank you

This is a better one

Hi Claire

He is lovely, but I think it is too early really to try and sex Teddy, you probably wont know for certain for a couple of years yet at least - sorry!

Weightwise, I would say that 60g at 5 years old is a bit on the heavy side - young tortoises in general and russians in particular can eat a lot more than is good for them.  In captivity we tend to feed them much more than they would find in the wild, where they would also have to walk a fair distance to find what little they could.  So a combination of lower activity and more food can make young tortoises grow too fast.  Slow smooth growth is what we need to aim for.  If he is constantly looking for food, try having a couple of days a week where you reduce his temperatures, at slightly cooler temps he will naturally slow down a bit and be less interested in food.

HTH

Arlene TPG

Hi Arlene, Happy New year to you! Thank you for the response.

I guess im over feeding him, :( Right will reduce the quantity, I am now wondering what the right amount is for Teddy, I dont want an overweight Tortoise with health probs. I will take another pic tomorow of the amount that I have been giving him each morning. Would you be able to tell me how much of it he should have. He doesnt seem to search for food. I place the food in the dish and pop in his home, once he's warmed up he goes to the food and eats. He does sit there eating for some time.He may go back for seconds but doesnt eat everything ive given to him. Thank you much appreciated :)

Hi, its best to give as much as would cover his shell, so that would probably be one dandlion leaf or half of one and half another weed leaf (for variety!). 

Regards Vivienne