Recent content by MarginatedMooney

To my knowledge, Marginateds also can live ~60-80 years. I think at 20 years they stop growing?

I also have an almost 3 year old Marginated, and right now we're thinking we won't try to brumate him. He is not slowing down at all right now and I thought he might as it gets colder here. I agree with Tom. Brumating can have some health benefits for brumating species but isn't completely...

Phil's enclosure was finished back in September and we've been trying to acclimate him to it when we can. I ended up planting Testudo seed mix in half of the enclosure, which has done well so far. Phil has explored the enclosure a few times, but typically will hide under a plant. I suppose...

Thanks, that was right after his soak/bath time. He's not always that clean.

Sorry, I pressed post by accident. I've edited the post with what I meant to say.

Hi all, today we noticed some strange dark ish coloration on our Marginated tortoise's plastron on the anal scutes. Does anyone know if this is normal growth or if it's shell rot?

He doesn't seem to dig often, but he can dig down a couple inches if he wants to. I'm not feeling sod though. Is tortoise safe grass seed a possibility?

I was thinking I would put some coco coir and orchid bark in there too. Nice, yeah I think I'll try growing some weeds in there too. He absolutely loves clover. He's a Marginated tortoise.

Phil's enclosure is finally coming along. It's been slowed down by vacation and bad, stormy weather. I'm hoping to finish soon, then start getting plants to put in there.

It's common for my marginated tortoise to turn his head toward me and look at me if I say something to him. It could also be because he sees me, but it does seem like he's responding to my voice because it's pretty consistent. I could be sitting there and he's not looking at me until I say...

Yes, Phil loves climbing up and over everything. Also bulldozing things and trying to fit in spaces too small for him 😆. He primarily lives indoors right now in a 6ft x 3ft pvc enclosure I built for him. He gets outdoor time occasionally, about 2-3 hours a week. Right now I'm in the middle of...

Phil is my little buddy.

About the original question, I agree. I wish there were more posts in the Marginated section. I don't know why it seems like they're less popular, but I always figured part of it was their size. I imagine the first thing people learn about them is that they're THE BIGGEST European tortoise...

I still remember when he was tiny and could fit in the palm of my hand. He's not so tiny anymore and I almost need two hands to pick him up now. So to me, yes it feels like he's grown fast. They all grow at different rates though, so I wouldn't worry too much. It could be that Phil is a big boy.

Thank you! He's 2 and a half years old now.