Tom

Tom

10 Year Member! Platinum Tortoise Club
The Dog Trainer From Southern California
Joined
Last seen
Messages
68,429
Reaction score
61,592
Points
113

Profile posts Latest activity Postings About

  • Markw84
    Tom Thank you for the referral to James. I will be getting a small group of Platynota next week from him. I do have a few questions to ensure I'm setting them up correctly. I guess I need to split it up as I am limited to 420 characters...
    C
    Hi Tom, as a new member I just wanted to thank you for your invaluable advice. I have plans to purchase my first Leopard tortoise this summer and it's important for me to research and learn how to provide an environment wherein my tortoise will thrive. I have purchased many books but I must say I have learned more by reading your threads than I have collectively in these outdate texts. I cannot thank you enough!
    Paul M Jones
    This site won't let me post pics anymore saying there is an issue with the server. And I don't know how to start a thread
    Paul M Jones
    Hey tom. My name is Paul and I'm in a bit of a bind. I have two sulcatas, one 10 months old 305 grams and the other 6 months old 126 grams, they are in a 55 gal tank, custom lid to keep humidity in. Humidity is 80-90% temps are 90-100, bout 110 basking area, tank has Cypress mulch, heat bulbs, and a night heat lamp. I soak them every day for 25 mins, my issue is that there still pyramiding. What Can i do?
    Paul M Jones
    Paul M Jones
    I wrote a lot more but it wouldn't let me post all of it, I'd post pictures but for some reason the site won't let me.
    Tom
    Tom
    Hi Paul. You should post this along with your pics as a regular thread on the forum.
    C
    Tom, I see that your closed enclosures house multiple baby tortoise. What size would be Ideal for just 1 Russian baby tortoise? And for how long before going to a 4X8 enclosure.Thanks of your time
    Tom
    Tom
    Ideal for a single baby? Hmmm… I'd say a 40 or 60 gallon tank would be good. 18x36 or 18 x48 inches.

    I would go to 4x8 feet once the tortoise reaches 3-4".
    skyhashu
    Tom, I am working on my night box for my 2 year old sulcata. I am in AZ on the out scerts of the vally where it gets to about 30 at night. I know your suggestion on the oil heater but was wondering if you can help on one I want to buy (size, style, price, ect..)
    Markw84
    Tom. I posted a new thread wanting discussion on my old ways of keeping my tortoise house - not a warm as you do. I especially would love to hear your comments on this. I have really come to respect what you have done and what you have to offer. And a real personal THANK YOU for the experiment on humidity that helped so much.
    Tom
    Tom
    The respect is mutual my friend. I already saw your thread and was typing up a reply as you left this message. I'll see you back over on your thread!
    Crzt4torts
    I'm new to the site, have been reading a lot of your info on raising baby Russians. Assuming a group of babies are getting along without incident-when do you recommend breaking them up and housing separately?
    Tom
    Tom
    When they cease to get along. Mine are all still fine going into their third year together. When they come out of hibernation this year, I will be watching very closely.
    gamera154
    tom what are the best things to plant in a russian tortoise outdoor enclosure so i can plant before i get one
    View previous comments…
    Tom
    Tom
    Geraniums might survive. Cape honeysuckle and hibiscus won't survive. You can grow African hibiscus every spring, but it will die at the first fall frost. I just grow new ones avery year. Certain cactus varieties will survive there too.
    gamera154
    gamera154
    ok good heres what i have growing right now alo vera, chia, sweet basil(i saw the sprouts today),we also have rose plants (no bug killers or growth hormones used becuase of the abundance of afids every spring) oh and are green peppers safe for torts
    Tom
    Tom
    Occasional small amounts of any color bell pepper are fine.
    J
    Tom, need advice my tortoise that's 6 months old has gotten bit by a dog that got in yard. His has a small hole in shall.
    Tom
    Tom
    I would have an experienced reptile vet check it, but in the mean time use the same wound treatment techniques that you would use for your self. Clean it once with beta dine or hydrogen peroxide, and then keep some triple anti-biotic on it.
    C
    hey Tom, why is sand not a recommended substrate?
    Tom
    Tom
    Its a big impaction risk. It sticks to the food and tortoises swallow it. The sand can collect in their gut and over time, it can cause a blockage. Many tortoises have died because of this, and many tortoises have had to have their plastrons literally sawed open and their guts cut open to remove sand impaction blockages. Its awful and easily preventable.
    Tom
    Tom
    In addition to the above, sand is also a potential skin and eye irritant. I've seen many cases of eye infections with tortoises on sand, or sand mix substrates.
    A
    We are in Nevada too cold for our sulcada to grace outside much does anybody grow grass inside and how, grow lights?
    Tom
    Tom
    Do a search for Prairie Mom's and Odin's Grandma's posts. Both of them have posted lots about this recently.
    paludarium
    Tom, may I get the permission to translate your post "2015 Growth Experiment" into Chinese and post the article with the pictures on my website www.paludarium.net ? Thank you.
    Tom
    Tom
    Yes. Please feel free. I've got one more final post to do with pics and weights demonstrating the results. You might want to wait for that. I'm trying to find the time to get it done.
    paludarium
    paludarium
    Thank you so much. I can't wait to see the result.
    A
    Tom, lately our sulcata has begun to make a loud squeaking or squealing sound, loud enough to hear beyond a closed door appettite and other functions appear normal, no visiable injuries. Any thoughts or just normal Thx Art
    Tom
    Tom
    What size and age? How often do you soak? What do you feed? Is it having regular bowel movements?
    A
    astock64
    about two pounds prob 6 yrs old we acquired her about 3 yrs ago( I reported her situation in earlier posts) in our care she has a proper habitat, and grazes in the lawn and i grow a mixed blend of grasses, bowel movements normal has grown steadily in our care
    Tom
    Tom
    Noises are usually a respiratory infection starting or constipation. Does the tortoise live outside? Where? How are you heating it? How often do you soak?

    We would have more room to discuss if you put this question on a thread in the sulcata section.
    N
    Guyz please help me y my star tortoise pair don't like to bask in sun.. Wen I leav them in sun they move back to shade and sleeps..
    Tom
    Tom
    That is normal tortoise behavior. They often don't like sitting out in the open because it exposes them to predators. It could also men they are already feeling warm enough.
    N
    Nik
    but how can they will get d3
    Tom
    Tom
    They will get enough just being outside. In time they will get more comfortable in their enclosure and move around in the sun more.

    Start a thread and post some pics of the enclosure so we can offer better tips.
    waretrop
    Tom, Please have patients with people who have different opinions than you. They come here to learn about these animals. You put down the most useful people, that we all could benefit from here. Along with you and these others would make this place such a great place. Putting people down is very belittling to you....You are really much better than that....Please stop....Barb
    Tom
    Tom
    You will have to fill me in on what you are talking about. Feel free to message me about this as typing space is limited on our profiles. Happy to discuss it with you.
    K
    Thanks. I have a MVB, ceramic, and fluorescent (no UVB) in there. Temps are from 70-95 and he seems uninterested in coming out for the last few weeks. I guess I'll warm it up and see what happens.
    Tom
    Tom
    Try getting the basking area up to 100 and keep the cool side closer to 80 during the day and 75ish at night. It might take a few weeks for him to really be convinced that it is not time to hibernate.
    K
    Hey thanks for the info. Should the DT I'm keeping up come out everyday? I've been taking him out for soaks daily, but I feel bad about bugging him.
    Tom
    Tom
    If you don't want him to hibernate, then I would keep getting him up ad make sure your temps are up and the enclosure is nice and bright for 13-14 hours a day.
    K
    I have a 4 x 2 indoor enclosure for my little DT who is approximately 1 year old. I'm keeping him up for the winter on advice from the vet. I've been trying to get the temperatures just right and am having some trouble. Should I use a 100W or 160W MVB?
    Tom
    Tom
    Hi Kevin. Only your thermometer can answer that. There are many factors that determine how much wattage will be needed to achieve the temperatures we are after. Also, depending on how cold your house gets, you might need some night heat. This is best achieved with a ceramic heating element and a thermostat. Warmer nights often convince them that its not time to hibernate.
    bigbeaks
    Hi Tom, for the past year I've used an oil filled heater in my hide box (your design, 4' by 4' by 2' high) with a thermostat. I wanted to know if when you use the radiant heat panels, do you use the oil filled heater as well? And do you use the thermostat with the radiant heat panel? If so, how do you know what temp to set the thermostat at?
    View previous comments…
    Tom
    Tom
    I set my temps according to the species, the season, and the current weather. Usually 70-75 in summer with our hot days, and 85 ish in winter with our colder days for tropical species like sulcatas and leopards.
    bigbeaks
    bigbeaks
    But you aren't trying to create an ambient temp with RHP are you? Like you do with the oil filled heaters. Maybe I'm confused about what they are used for. I was thinking they were more of a basking type heater??
    Tom
    Tom
    I use the RHP and Kane mats to maintain ambient too, just in a different way than the oil heaters. I think the RHP/Kane mat combo also allows for a bit of a warmer area inside the warm box when they are on. So you are right in a way. Both ways work well for me.
  • Loading…
  • Loading…
  • Loading…
Top