Measuring a Tortoise

When measuring a tortoise, what you want to measure is called the "Straight Carapace Length" or SCL. Following is an example of how to do this. Personally I use a caliper and measure in centimeters. But you can measure in inches as well.

click on the photo to view it full size

Step1:
Put a ruler up against a wall. 

Step 2:
put the tortoise on the ruler with the front of the shell against the wall.

Step3:
Put a board against the back of the tortoise perpendicular to the ruler.

Step 4.
Remove the tortoise and read the measurement. This one is 5 1/8" long.