Amber White
New Member
Hey! So I thought it's about time I start learning from other experienced tortoise handlers regarding our little being that I have loved and has been loved for three generations. Patsy the desert tortoise was adopted full grown so we figure she was between 12-20yrs at least when we got her. So that makes her at least 65... I really hope she lives for a fourth generation to experience her awesomeness. I hear she could live to be 100 - fingers crossed. <3
Now, I don't understand how she has survived so many years on just a few ice-burg lettuce leaves daily, (that is little to no benefits for her). That was her diet before I inherited to responsibility to care for our green eyed family member. Since starting to really learn about her I have gradually increased the nutrients and proper diet. However that as when we still had a little porch where I could grow her favorite sprouts.
Occasional treats that she likes like seedless watermelon, cantaloupe & broccoli.
And not too much- Just sometimes.
Now, I don't understand how she has survived so many years on just a few ice-burg lettuce leaves daily, (that is little to no benefits for her). That was her diet before I inherited to responsibility to care for our green eyed family member. Since starting to really learn about her I have gradually increased the nutrients and proper diet. However that as when we still had a little porch where I could grow her favorite sprouts.
Occasional treats that she likes like seedless watermelon, cantaloupe & broccoli.
And not too much- Just sometimes.
At first I tried to give her nutrient pellets but that didn't curb her enthusiasm- so now I mix up grassland pellets (soaked in purified water) along with mixed greens.
Found on this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0061S80WA/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
But NOW I just have a balcony and a heat lamp set on a timer....she doesn't get to burrow into the ground naturally and that makes me sad. I keep telling myself we'll get a house someday witha proper back yard and all this is only temporary...
She still does her "lazy happy spread sunbathe" however I want her to be fulfilled with the digging she has known every season for decades.
As she is coming close to hibernation- I worry because the closet we have doesn't keep at a steady 50 degrees as I'd like it. And this summer heat in L.A is not a suitable winter outside on the balcony, even if I were to try and insulate a good sleeping den - let alone all the traffic that will probably keep her up (we live right on a really busy street).
I hear of people putting tortoises in mini fridges with a set temp gauge but that creeps me out. I am at a loss with about 1 more week until she is ready to hibernate. I hope to come up with a solution....