Thanks Josh.

Cathie G

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I have no clue how to use this site yet but would really love to talk about the best care for my critters.
 

Minority2

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Are you looking for information on a particular species of tortoise/turle? On the main page of this site, hover over the Tortoise species option and scroll up and down until you recognize the species you own. Once you reach the next page there will be information on care, diet, and enclosure needs in the top half section of that page. The bottom half will be mainly composed of threads created by forum members (such as yourself) that wishes to seek or inform others on information about that particular species.

If you're sure about what species your tortoise/turtle belongs to or other question regarding their care, you can always upload pictures to give members a better idea of what you're referring to.
 

Cathie G

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I've had Saphire since 2007 and his health has improved. So I know a little bit but...I will try to do what you suggested because I want him to be the best that he can be. Thanks.
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Cathie, and welcome to the Forum!

We'll need to know what species of turtle/tortoise Saphire is before we can give you GOOD answers on how to care for him..
 

Tom

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I've had Saphire since 2007 and his health has improved. So I know a little bit but...I will try to do what you suggested because I want him to be the best that he can be. Thanks.
Hello and welcome!

Lancaster PA, or Lancaster CA? Very different climates...
 

Cathie G

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Hi Cathie, and welcome to the Forum!

We'll need to know what species of turtle/tortoise Saphire is before we can give you GOOD answers on how to care for him..
He is a Horsefield. I joined to share info. I can't upload pictures yet. I don't really know how to use your forum yet. I actually researched before I bought him. I've never regretted buying him. He is at least16 years old and possibly more. But I always want to hear what other tortoise owners have to say. You can never get enough info and everyones experience matters.
 

Cathie G

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Thanks for all your welcoming replies. I'll post pictures of my darling Saphire when I figure out how to. He's safe and happy in the meantime. But I like brainstorming from other people's experience. I'm sure there's way more to be learned to make their captivity fun.
 

Cathie G

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I probably know more about my critters then how to do internet...but I did look at the tortoises. I just love them and their beautiful personalities.
 

Yvonne G

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He is a Horsefield. I joined to share info. I can't upload pictures yet. I don't really know how to use your forum yet. I actually researched before I bought him. I've never regretted buying him. He is at least16 years old and possibly more. But I always want to hear what other tortoise owners have to say. You can never get enough info and everyones experience matters.
This is true. When I first joined the Forum, I had been keeping turtles and tortoises for many, many years - thought I knew it all!!! HA! Was I ever wrong. But we're happy you've found us and glad to have the chance to get to know you. Russian tortoises are wonderful little guys. Have a good time re-reading all the threads on the Forum, and don't be shy.
 
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Cathie G

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This is true. When I first joined the Forum, I had been keeping turtles and tortoises for many, many years - thought I knew it all!!! HA! Was I ever wrong. But we're happy you've found us and glad to get to know your. Russian tortoises are wonderful little guys. Have a good time re-reading all the threads on the Forum, and don't be shy.
I actually only have one Russian and one Eastern Box Turtle. My grandson talked me into taking her because he couldn't take care of her. Truthfully, I didn't really want a turtle. But I've grown to love her and have tried to give her a proper diet and good care. She has an interesting history. I've only recently found out that she could possibly be as much as 28 years old because she had three eggs shortly after she came to me three years ago. Russians are so easy compared to a box turtle. I was so ignorant about box turtles. I thought their eggs were like a chickens eggs and could be infertle. I hate to learn the hard way.
 

Cathie G

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Quite a few of us have learned "the hard way."[/QU
Quite a few of us have learned "the hard way."
You don't want to know how I found out that my Horsefield is a boy for sure. After I got over the initial shock, that time, 11 years ago, I still laugh about that hard time. Thank God Tortoises are pretty resilient if you can get the right food in them. Any suggestions that your critters like? Saphire actually likes cooked broccoli but I'm afraid to feed him cooked vegetables.
 

Minority2

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Yea but he likes it. I don't but what happens to veggies in the desert.

Plants such as succulents retain water from rainfall to survive in the desert.

I personally do not see the benefit in giving a tortoise cooked food. I prefer my tortoises to eat raw hard roughage so they're effectively working their beaks.

Just because a tortoise likes something doesn't mean it's good for their overall health. It would probably be quite easy to get a tortoise hooked on sugar if someone prepares them enough so they look enticing to tortoises. Do it enough (please don't feed tortoises candy) and their bodies will start to fail from not being able to process it all.

This is one of the many problems new owners often face when they notice their tortoises being stubborn or picky eaters. If "they're healthy", I would tell them to stop enabling them. healthy tortoises won't starve. If they're hungry enough, they will eat. Feeding these so called "treats" do not benefit them. It only benefits the owners that consider them treats.
 

Cathie G

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Plants such as succulents retain water from rainfall to survive in the desert.

I personally do not see the benefit in giving a tortoise cooked food. I prefer my tortoises to eat raw hard roughage so they're effectively working their beaks.

Just because a tortoise likes something doesn't mean it's good for their overall health. It would probably be quite easy to get a tortoise hooked on sugar if someone prepares them enough so they look enticing to tortoises. Do it enough (please don't feed tortoises candy) and their bodies will start to fail from not being able to process it all.

This is one of the many problems new owners often face when they notice their tortoises being stubborn or picky eaters. If "they're healthy", I would tell them to stop enabling them. healthy tortoises won't starve. If they're hungry enough, they will eat. Feeding these so called "treats" do not benefit them. It only benefits the owners that consider them treats.
I actually don't feed him treats and that was 11years ago and before I could get any real information on what to feed him. My Horsefield won't eat just anything anyway. He's a total vegetarian and loves dandelion greens, plantain, fresh greens from the grocery etc. It was pretty frustrating to get the right information at first until I went online. And forget the commercial food for tortoises which aren't suited for him. It's just another example of what I went through as a new tortoise owner. All in all it's been an experience I don't regret even with the mistakes I made. He's a lot of fun and so much more intelligent then people give them credit for. He knows me and interacts with me. But this conversation has given me and idea. What vegetable would actually be comparable to a succulent?
 

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