Introduction

• Body condition scores (BCS) provide a subjective semi-quantitative method of evaluating body fat and lean body tissue.
• The BCS increases as energy and fat reserves increase, and decreases if energy reserves are depleted, for example in response to illness or reduced food intake.

The scores

Use of the systems

Common causes for low scores

Common causes for high scores

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Gimmel A, Öfner S & Liesegang A (2021) Body condition scoring (BCS) in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and comparison to pre-existing body condition index (BCI) for snakes. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr 105 (Suppl 2), 24-28 PubMed. 
• Santos M R D, Martins A S, Baptistotte C & Work T M (2015) Health condition of juvenile Chelonia mydas related to fibropapillomatosis in southeast Brazil. Dis Aquat Organ 115 (3), 193-201 PubMed.
• Lamberski N (2013) Body condition scores for desert tortoises. Website: www.avtcp.org (pdf download).
• Mazzotti F J, Cherkiss M S, Brandt L A et al (2012) Body condition of Morelet's crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii) from Northern Belize. J Herpetol 46 (3), 356-362 JSTOR.
• Thomson J A, Burkholder D, Heithaus M R & Dill L M (2009) Validation of a rapid visual-assessment technique for categorizing the body condition of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the field. Copeia 2, 251-255 JSTOR.
• Deming C, Greiner E & Uhl E W (2008) Prevalence of cryptosporidium infection and characteristics of oocyst shedding in a breeding colony of leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). J Zoo Wildlife Med 39 (4), 600-607 PubMed. 
• Cannon M J (2003) Husbandry and veterinary aspects of the bearded dragon (Pogona spp) in Australia. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med 12 (4), 205-214 SciDirect.
• Jackson O F (1980) Weight and measurement data on tortoises (Testudo graeca and Testudo hermanni) and their relationship to health. J Small Anim Pract 21 (7), 409-416 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Raftery A (2019) Clinical Examination. In: BSAVA Manual of Reptiles. Eds: Girling S J & Raiti P. BSAVA, UK. pp 89-100.