Every tortoise grows at its own rate. Even if you have two baby Russian tortoises from the same clutch, you may notice that one may begin to grow faster than the other. That doesn’t necessarily mean there is something wrong with the smaller tortoise. Russian tortoise sizes will vary. That said, there is no standard Russian tortoise size chart.
If you’re trying to guess the age of your tortoise by the weight, this may not be as easy as you think. And you’ll probably have better luck measuring and estimating the age by the length of the tortoise. However, keep in mind it can take 15-20 years before a Russian tortoise reaches its full adult size.
Average Size of Russian Tortoise
An average adult Russian tortoise size measures between 5-8 inches long and weighs between 1-3 pounds.
Weigh Russian Tortoise
If you are concerned with your Russian tortoise weight, purchase a good digital scale.
Look for a good digital scale that reads in multiple measurements. You won’t get a good weight on a baby tortoise if the scale only reads pounds.
Tips for Weighing a Russian Tortoise
Don’t weigh the tortoise daily. Their weight fluctuates depending on how much they eat and whether you weigh before or after a poop. You don’t want to get yourself worked up for a drop in weight from one day to the next, as it could be a normal weight difference.
Even if you are weighing a sick Russian tortoise, the weight will still fluctuate. You can still get a good idea of growth by weighing once a week. OR weigh daily and take an average weight to compare.
If you notice that your tortoise is not gaining weight or is losing weight, then it is time to see a specialized reptile vet. If your tortoise is gaining weight, and is not showing signs of illness, consider your tortoise healthy unless you are seeing other signs of illness.
