Recent content by ILikeTortoises

  1. ILikeTortoises

    Sandy Substrate

    The washed sand/powered loam mix recommendation comes from an Egyptian tortoise book published in Germany (see attached). It may be a term lost in translation when the book was printed in English... it says "loam powder" can be found in specialty shops... but I haven't been able to find anyone...
  2. ILikeTortoises

    Sandy Substrate

    Hi all - I'm setting up a new enclosure for my Egyptian juveniles, and am looking for recommendations from someone who's had success with sandy substrates for this species. I'm thinking about moving away from the crushed oyster shell I'm currently using to go with something a bit more...
  3. ILikeTortoises

    Group Growth Over Time

    Do you know at around what age 'orange large' hit the 100g mark? I'm uploading my most recent growth chart & curve. I acquired two new hatchlings that are only a few months old but are growing like crazy... one of them out-sized one of my year-old juveniles already. Not sure if I should chalk...
  4. ILikeTortoises

    Juvenile Grouping

    These are Egyptians - they will only reach 3-5" max. Currently they are only 1.5-2" carapace length. I can't always even find them easily in this size enclosure.
  5. ILikeTortoises

    Juvenile Grouping

    Hi all - I currently have 4 juveniles in one 4'x2' enclosure. Two are a little over a year old and weigh 60-75g and two are under a year and about 30g. I'm acquiring two new hatchlings in a couple weeks that will be just a couple of months old, not sure on weights but probably in the 10-12g...
  6. ILikeTortoises

    Group Growth Over Time

    Fresh greens twice daily - mostly dandelion greens, escarole, endive, green leaf lettuce - occasionally mustard greens, watercress, romaine.
  7. ILikeTortoises

    Group Growth Over Time

    Update - with another month's data, I feel a bit better. Seems like periods of slower growth are probably within normal, especially when husbandry, behavior, activity all remain constant.
  8. ILikeTortoises

    Group Growth Over Time

    I only have a few months of data on mine - but here is my growth chart so far. I was concerned because the two larger ones (about 1 year old) have slowed growth this month - one actually looks to have lost about 0.5g. No changes in environmental parameters and no changes in eating/pooping or...
  9. ILikeTortoises

    Looking for Egyptian hatchlings

    Hi all- I'm looking for a couple of hatchlings to add to my enclosure that's currently housing 2 Egyptians that are a little over 3 months old. Prefer hatchlings incubated at higher temp. Thanks all and Happy Holidays! - Johnathan
  10. ILikeTortoises

    Egyptian Hatchlings from Dovelett15/Martha

    I had a great experience purchasing two Egyptian hatchlings from Martha. I had never owned tortoises and she was always quick to reply to emails when I had questions about my enclosure setup in the month or so before the sale, and has since made herself readily available to answer any questions...
  11. ILikeTortoises

    UVB Lighting Question for Egyptians

    You are right. The basking bulbs are UV halide, marketed as 3% UVB/97% UVA. The 50w ones I currently have create too hot of a surface temperature and I don't have any room to move them higher as they're mounted inside the terrarium. So I've ordered 25w which come tomorrow so hopefully the...
  12. ILikeTortoises

    UVB Lighting Question for Egyptians

    Hi all - I'm setting up a terrarium for Egyptian tortoises, and was wondering if my lighting set-up is adequate. My terrarium is 48"Lx24"Dx16"H with an interior 36" lighting ballast w/ aluminum reflector housing an Arcadia 34" 6% UVB T5 HO bulb, which sits about 12" from substrate. This...
  13. ILikeTortoises

    New Egyptian Setup

    Hi all - I'm in the design process for an indoor enclosure to house 2 Egyptians, will be about 2 months old at time of re-homing, and wanted to run my ideas by the group before I start purchasing materials and constructing. Here are my initial thoughts: - Enclosure: 48"x24"x16" w/ PVC...
  14. ILikeTortoises

    Egyptian Tortoises

    Hi all- I'm looking for a captive-bred Egyptian tortoise as I'm hoping to get involved in their care, breeding and conservation. Any advice on current US breeders or wait lists would be much appreciated. Thanks! - Johnathan
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