Please, please read the care sheet! Print it out, stick it on your fridge, follow it all. Honestly, it is THE best way to care for your torts.
In terms of temps, you'll need a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) for the night because your torts will be way too cold and unable to thrive. Also, is that...
In terms of their environment, they're scratching in their viv because it's way too small for them. When kept in pairs, tortoises bully each other. They're solitary creatures and don't get "lonely". They need their own space otherwise they will fight for everything - food, the basking spot, etc...
Do you regularly use calcium powder/nutrobal on their food? When you push their legs into their shell (gently of course!) do they push back against your fingers with some strength?
As for opening their mouth, that is a possible sign for a respiratory infection. What are the temps in your...
Thank you! I'm concerned about red foots, just because they seem to grow pretty big - especially for an indoor enclosure. A star tort seems to need a similar setup (although different light and dietary needs) but stay a smaller, more manageable size.
I'm open to getting a testudo. We did have a...
The more research I do, the more I'm leaning towards an Indian Star or Burmese Star. They look fascinating! And will hopefully make me feel better about not being able to have a sulcata ? However, there doesn't seem to be many breeders in the UK.
If you have any leads, please let me know!
Hey,
I wondered if anybody has any recommendations for the best tortoises to keep in the UK? We have some space indoors for a decent-sized encolsure and a large garden that we will be using for the better months. I know mostly about Mediterranean torts but wondered if there are any other...
I can't seem to upload the videos but this is how he's keeping his left leg all the time. He's hardly stretching it out and when he does, he can't fully extend it
No, it's fine! You're right, we're new owners and we really are trying to give a good variety but the diet stuff is complicated and we are still learning. The last thing we want to do is harm our tortoise so any advice is helpful.
To answer your questions:
1. He poops almost every day. If not...
Thanks, I'll try and get a video tomorrow. We get all our nutrition info from here and the Tortoise Table so I don't *think* it's that. He has access to a cuttlebone at all times and we use calcium powder on his food every now and then.
Could it be a blockage or constipation if he's still...
Hey,
Our little tort Esio is almost a year old. He's been much less active over the last 3 or 4 weeks. We've kept him hydrated with long baths, increased the temps to around 85-90F, ensured the humidity is high, fed him lots.
He's eating and pooping fine. He's happy to eat when we feed him by...
I would still swap out your bowl. Don't make it any harder for him to get to the food. We recently went from a reptile dish with sides sold to us as part of our table kit to a simple piece of slate and he's suddenly eating loads more! Tortoises are not fussy on the look, just how easy it is to...
Just looking at your setup. Can he actually access the food in that bowl? It looks like it would be difficult to see it, never mind actually get to it. Use a piece of slate or a terracotta saucer (usually used under plant pots) instead to make it more accessible.
I think there's quite a few...