Recent content by ursula

Thank you, I'll definitely take a look. The fecal test for Flap is a good idea, I'll do that. Thanks!

Thanks, I feel the same way for the most part but I do worry a little bit. When they were in Italy the brumation was completely natural, they lived in their habitat in a yard and were free to borrow and come out whenever they wanted. Now that they are in Michigan I am responsible for setting up...

no, they have been together for many years (40+). I know I run the risk of getting hybrids but these are tortoises that used to live mostly on their own in a yard before my family moved into that house in Italy many years ago. No point in separating them now. Plus, they do not really reproduce...

and here is my little tortoise army :)

Hi all, my 9 hermannii and 3 greek tortoises have decided that it's time for them to get ready for brumation. They are slowing down, eating less, but still active during the day. Last year (their first winter in southeast Michigan), they had spent the summer in Italy and so they were nice and...

Thank you, that makes perfect sense!

Perfect, thanks! So I can water it periodically even when the tortoises will be asleep and buried under it, right?

Hi, I'm getting ready to set up the winter residence for my Testudo and Greek tortoises. I will keep awake in their enclosure for a couple of months until they will go to sleep at the beginning of November. I plan to use a substrate of coco coir topped with orchid bark (they are all adults). It...

Thanks, this is what I observed too, I think I'll plant a wisteria in my yard so that I can give them the flowers.

Thank you so much, this is very useful information!

hello group, I have two food-related questions for my torts (9 hermanni, 3 graeca): 1. I usually give them RepCal Maintenance tortoise food 3-4 times a week. They live outside in the yard in the summer but in spring/fall they come inside because Michigan weather is not warm enough for them. Is...

yes, I have hygrometer and temperature sensors around their area.

Thank you for the reply. I researched the soil extensively before using it, there is no perlite in it but I did not think about the oleander trimmings. Not sure what to do now, they are asleep in it so I cannot change it without waking them up and it's too early for them to be awake. What would...

Good morning group! I have a question regarding humidity during hibernation (this has been discussed before years ago but related to refrigerated hibernation). I have 12 tortoises, 9 hermanni and 3 graeca. They just moved from Italy to Michigan (US) and this is their first winter here. They are...

I live in southeast Michigan and I have 12 Testudo who are getting ready for hibernation. They will hibernate in bins in my heated garage that stays around 35-40F but I need to create a good substrate for them to burrow. I read in many threads that orchid and fir bark is the best. Any ideas...