TortoiseForum.org

Hello my name is Janie.

Percival, an African Spur Thighed Tortoise, just landed in my lap yesterday. His previous owner took pretty good care of him at first, and then Percival ended up just roaming around the guy's house. His shell looks and feels good and strong, and he is pretty active.

I am not sure the sex or age of my tortoise, and I have never owned a land tortoise before. I have been reading a lot.

I will attach pictures of him in his container which I bought yesterday. I didn't get an aquarium - one because of cost, two because they are really heavy and three I figured this would be easier to clean.

I used Apsen Shavings and I have a basic basking light in a ceramic light fixture which produces light heat and only UVA rays. I know he needs UVB, and probably more room to roam so I take him outside with me everyday and let him graze for an hour or two. The temperature inside my apartment is about 70* on average, so I hope this light is good enough for heat - I am scared the aspen shavings will catch fire.

I live in Louisiana so the weather is hot and there is plenty of crab grass and dandelions to feed him. I am using a shallow planter for his water bowl so he can get in it if he likes and soak.

So far I have tried feeding him Hibiscus leaves and petals, turnip greens and a small piece of an orange. I realize after all my research he shouldn't eat a lot of fruit, but that seems to be the only thing he wants right now. He barely touched his greens - maybe I haven't cut them small enough??

I got Rep-Cal Calcium with Vitamin D3 to dust his food with, but I didn't get the Herpative that they suggested - I didn't think it was necessary.

PLEASE PLEASE leave me comments - I am open to any and all suggestions and instructions. Thanks!

Are all tortoises always shy? Will he always shrink back into his shell when I put my hand near him?

Also how much Rep-Cal should I give him? And how much of what should he be eating everyday?

Thanks!

Hi Janie. Percival is a cute little guy! He does look like he may have some slight pyramiding going on with his shell, but otherwise looks healthy. Pyramiding is usually caused by an inefficient diet (loading up on too much calcium is not a good thing for him) or being overfed. As for refusing his greens, he likes his sugar! It's just as addiciting for them as it is for us. You may have to just give him greens until he eats, and he will eat. He won't let himself starve. Some people wean their torts off something they are not supposed to have slowly, decreasing the bad food a little everyday while increasing the good food. As for calcium, probably no more than once a week, and if he is going to be outdoors, no vitamin D3.

He will definately need a larger enclosure. The best thing would be a tort table, which is basically an overturned bookcase without the shelves. I have also seen some people connect two rubbermaids together, such as what you have him in. He also needs something he can hide in so he feels secure.....such as a half log or a side laying flower pot with sphagnum moss to burrow in (and it will also give him a humid place to retreat to if he wants).

Yes, most tortoises are shy, and some outgrow it once they associate you with food and good things. Good luck with him. Sounds like he found a caring owner

Congrats on your new very cute tort. As for sex it will be awhile before you can tell, and age unless you know the hatch date there is no way to know how old s/he is. As for the aspen, that is all I use for my torts and I have had no problems and the lights are only 12" above the aspen if that. As for your light you want to move it so it is only facing one end that way he can have a warm end and a cold end. I always place them on the side and point it down. There are many different types of uvb lights some cheap and some more expensive, a megaray bulb does heat and uvb, but if you are taking him out everyday then he show be ok. I would ut some orchard or bermuda hay in with him as well so he has some to munch on. Keep offering the greens and the hay he will start eating. How long is he? Good Luck with your new little one.

Welcome to the forum Janie! Percival is a cutie. The girls have given you alot of helpful info. You really want to up the fiber in his diet and do away with the fruit. Like Carolyn said, he won't starve himself. Another option for you is a childs swimming pool for your tort. It gives them some more room than a rubbermaid container if you have the room to spare. Good luck with your new one.

This thread shows the two Rubbermaid tubs together; http://tortoiseforum.org/new-and-have-so...l#pid14280

Here is a site that shows how to measure your tort; http://www.tortoisegroup.org/infosheet03.html

I would also suggest you get thermometer and hydrometer so that you can make sure of the temps and humidity s/he is sitting under, and a scale, they have them fairly inexpensive at places like Wal-Mart this will help you tell if s/he is gaining weight. I find a scale that has grams, and oz work well.
Congrats on your new shelled baby. You are off to a wonderful start with him/her. Sounds like he's lucky he ended up in your lap yesterday.

I don't have the right equipment to measure him accurately, but he is about 7 and 1/2" long.

My scale wouldn't pick up on his weight even with him in my arms - and when I compare him to a 2lb weight he seems lighter than it - plus the scale picks up on the 2lb weight.

Is it possible he is less than 1lb?

Boy is he pissed that I measured him - he is staring at me right now.

He ate most his greens!!

Thank yall so much for the information and comments!

Nevermind about the questions - I read more of the topics on this site and I got my answers - so just thanks for the comments!

hi Janie welcome to the forum

janiedough, I forgot to say welcome to the forum. and I am sure you will find lots of info here but if you ever have questions don't be shy. Just ask. Lots of helpful folk here.

I see that - thanks yall!