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Rawski, M., & Józefiak, D. (2014). Body condition scoring and obesity in captive african side-neck turtles (pelomedusidae). Annals of Animal Science, (ahead of print). 
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (06 Jul 2014 16:17:16 UTC)
Resource type: Journal Article
DOI: 10.2478/aoas-2014-0037
BibTeX citation key: Rawski2014
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Categories: General
Keywords: Haltung - husbandry, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae, Testudo hermanni
Creators: Józefiak, Rawski
Collection: Annals of Animal Science
Views: 6/826
Views index: 23%
Popularity index: 5.75%
Abstract     
African side-neck turtles (Pelomedusa subrufa and Pelusios castaneus) are popular in captivity, in many parts of the world. Their natural tendency to accumulate body fat reserves may be a reason of many health issues. For keepers and veterinarians body condition scoring is an important tool in the process of management and care of the animals. Therefore the main aim of the study was to formulate a single mathematic formula for allometric equations and simple body condition scoring method which can be used for estimation of body weight to either juvenile, sub-adult and adult specimens of Pelomedusa subrufa and Pelusios castaneus. Twelve healthy turtles (7 Pelomedusa subrufa and 5 Pelusios castaneus) - 4 males, 4 females and 4 immature were measured and weighted for 52 weeks (624 measurements). Obtained data were used to formulate equations of estimated body weight and compared to results of measurements of 73 turtles from private keepers. Additionally, visual assessments of their body condition were made. The results showed that body weight is significantly (P=0.001) correlated with straight carapace length of turtles. In the assessed population of 73 captive Pelomedusidae kept as pets, no emaciated turtles were recorded, 10% of them were underweight. In the case of 68% of the animals, body condition was identified as optimal in 15% and 7%, as overweight and obesity - respectively. The population of African side-neck turtles seems to be in quite good body condition. However high share of animals with too high suggest the need of continuous monitoring in term of body condition in pet turtles.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich  
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