Body condition index evaluation in growing red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) hatchlings

Citation

Mendoza P, Cerdan I, Garcia B, Bícego KC, and Carciofi AC. 2021. Body condition index evaluation in growing red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) hatchlings. In Brooks M, Koutsos E, and Henry B Eds. Proceedings of the Fourteenth Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition Foundation and AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Virtual.

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the application of body condition index (BCI) equations previously used in chelonians, in growing red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria). Individual data of straight carapace length (SCL, mm), straight carapace width (SCW, mm), carapace height (CH, mm), and body mass (g) were evaluated from a total of 20 hatchlings between 30-209 g of body mass (0-9 months old). Data were collected weekly until 6 months of age, then every two weeks.

 

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