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Have you ever wondered if your reptile has been looking a little thin? Or maybe even a little chunky? We all have, trust me! Here are just a couple of reasons why I weigh all of our reptiles and why I think you should too!
1. Are they eating enough?
The first reason is a pretty common one but I think it is still important to point out. Weighing your reptile will help you tell if they are gaining weight at all or at a normal rate. For instance, if your reptile isn’t gaining any weight, they might not be eating enough. However, this isn’t a cause for alarm if you have recently brought home a new reptile. I say this because a new reptile can take a while to acclimate and feel comfortable enough to eat in their new home.
2. Are they losing weight?
If you weigh your reptile regularly, you can easily tell if they are maintaining a healthy weight. However, if you notice that your reptile is consistently losing weight, it can be an indication that your reptile could be sick or something is wrong. You should take your reptile to your Exotic Vet who will be able to help you figure out what is going on.
3. Are they overweight?
I have seen a lot of pictures of overweight reptiles on the internet. Some people will try to make it seem normal and say things like, “Aww he’s so cute and chubby,” but to me, it is not cute, it’s sad. A reptile that is overweight is more susceptible to health issues just like us humans. In addition, a reptile being overweight can show that it might not be getting enough exercise.
How to Track Your Reptile’s Weight
Now, there are several ways you can keep track of your reptile’s weight: on a notepad,
Why You Should Keep a Weight Log
Keeping a weight log will help tell when your reptile started losing or gaining weight and create a timeline (like changes to their routine or environment) that will help you and/or the vet determine the best course of action.
I love when it is time to weigh one of my reptiles because I can easily see how much they have grown in comparison to when I first got them! I have been using this gram scale* that I found on Amazon. It is inexpensive and has worked perfectly for weighing our crested gecko, corn snake, and
There you go! I recommend starting to weigh your reptile once a month and don’t forget to use our FREE Printable Reptile Weight Log to help you keep track of it!
*This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. We do not recommend any products that we have not or would not use personally.