Good evening.
I have had 8 baby Hermans hatched over the last 4 years, the first 2 were and still are fine, but the last 6 have all had overshot bottom jaws/beaks.
I have read a few old posts about this, is there any recent advice on why this happens or how if possible fixing this.
This chap is...
Thanks for your reply.
Yes it is a 20ltr tank, they do get out to walk about safely quite a lot but mostly eat and sleep in the tank. Again I mostly use what is recommended at the time of purchase, the adults tanks I use a blue UV strip light.
Thanks guys.. I sort of had an idea it was the heat mat causing the problem. Will the plastron sort itself out in time if I stop using it? The substrate is from Pets at Home it is designed and named 'Tortoise Life' for use with torts, it was recommended by my vet who insisted on me using it for...
My 2016 babies are showing signs of plastron shrinkage, 2017 babies are ok up to now. I have read a number of threads mentioning this and it seems as though I may be overheating the enclosure. I use the 'Tortoise Life' sand/soil substrate that is always moist and have a heat mat under their hide...
I keep all the babies in one vivarium and the adults together in another. I do have to split them 2 now & again as he is very persistent! Depending on the weather I put the babies in an enclosure and the adults run free in the garden but bring them in at night. The babies are leaving for their...
insurance wont pay out for a check up will they? ive seen some say if there is nothing wrong with them don't pay the silly money for a check up. xrays are mainly for females to see if there is any eggs still inside.
Hibernating is supposed to increase their life span, in my opinion they spend...
yeah me too. I find a lot of useful info on here though. lots of experts, not me! How old is Monty? They reckon you don't need to hibernate till they are about 5 years old..
I'm still learning how to navigate around this site.
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He wanted to remove my females ovaries at a cost of £800, when I mentioned it to my pet stores (who breeds torts) he said he had never heard of it being done to such a young tortoise.
Let me know how you get on.
Hi Huw,
sorry for the late reply.
I've had my female for 12 years and male for 10 years. I haven't hibernated them yet, I'm told I should but my wife doesn't want to.
Village Vets is the only vet I have used for torts, a bit expensive, I was only with him for 20 mins last time and he charged me...
I have homes sorted for them already, some very young children who I understand could hurt them if left alone with them. Some going to adults, obviously they want their torts asap. But then my vet (who is a reptile and tortoise specialist) said don't let them go for at least 2 years. Whats that...
@ZippyButter Yeah they are Hermann. Had the adults 12 years now, she is 16 and he is 14. The pen is something I threw together in a rush, keeps the tiny ones safe. :)
Hi Huw, Yeah that's right.. This years babies are the smallest ones.. Have to be quick with the camera mum and dad usually just trample all over them to get away..