I have had two, herp related. I was digging in a tortoise enclosure and I hit an old gopher (the mammal) burrow that was connected to a very active and agressive colony of yellow jackets some 20 ft away. They came after me, stung me a dozen times, some were under my shirt, and I hurled myself...
That is an interesting question. The literature often tells us to refrain from feeding veggies from fertilized fields, yet rarely do they say Why...MMMmm, it seems a lot of folks have strong opinions about food items but little or no data to support the opinions, understandalby, we don't want...
Down here in the Imperial Valley, which is low desert the days are in the mid-70's and the nights in the 50's. My tortoises have been up and around for couple of weeks, a few are still sleeping (some of the Greek's). The male mariginata were the first to awaken, and they are frustrated and...
That is Geochelone sulcatta, the African spur thighed tortoise. It is a real handful, as it can grow to be huge, over 150 lbs., and is probably the 3rd largest tortoise species. Sadly, you will be seeing more and more of them as naiive and/or irresponsible owners dump their problems on you and...
You bet there are steps to take. The reference to A. Highlfield is worth considering. Also see what the California Turtle & Tortoise club says.
Cover the basics, have well fed and well hydrated animals in a secure and dry but some humidity environment. They must be empty of ingested...
Nurturing I think is an instinct some of us have and others less so. I love to watch my tortoises, the lizards on the trees, the fish in the pond, etc. You can learn by closely observing, often finding the keys to good husbandry by patient observations. I even enjoy watching bees going into...
Cuttlebones are a good source of calcium for your herd. I do remove the hard layer, using a knife (be very careful, it would be easy to slip and cut yourself...). Because some of the desired relatively soft and Calcium rich layers are left on the hard surface, I take it and grate it on a...
I'm Vic, in Imperial Valley, CA. which is one of the hottest and sunniest places on Earth., just 3 miles North of the Intl border Xing at Calexico/Mexicali.
I have five 10-11 year old males (Chris in Portland you may want to PM me...I hear you have a female looking for a good man?), and...
Mazuri is an extruded pellet tortoise chow created and produced by Purina (famous for dog food) by the Mazuri/Zoo food division. It was originally formulated for Galapagos and large tortoises. I have used it as part of a diverse and Hi Cal and low Ph diet, incuding various annual weeds, home...
Dear Lolly,
your open mind and willingness to get advice is refreshing. I think Robyn/Crazy1 gave you an excellent reference with the TL link. I think the food list is right on the mark, follow it as best you can. Feeding "weeds" is a good way to go, it gets you out in the woods and...
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Thanks.
I did order from CPS. I noticed the grazing tort seed, but opted to get individual stuff first. I'm going to throw a bunch in Ralph's enclosure and plant some in garden trays so I will have a supply. Also will plant some patches...
I have sold a few since putting up the add, and some prospective folks thinking it over. I still have a few T. marginata and T. graeca-ibera, the marginata Males only. Still have a pair of 5" T. graeca-ibera available, and a female with 2 split scutes. A few Russians of various sizes...
Dear Janet, I have tried various methods with varying success. No problems with a planned hibernation, but once I had a Russian dig in and hibernate on its own, I could not locate it, and it was sick in the spring, as it was too damp. Dan has an ideal set up, really well done, as they stay...
I have 4 surplus male T. marginata males, they are 8 to 11 years old. They look great, not pyramided, very in size from 7.75"-8.5" SCL. $175.00 each. Perfect pets and apparently amorous...
" " 1.3 T. greaca-ibera type Greeks, bred and hatched, they are over 4-5", perfect in every way...
Growing it is pretty much the standard of easy if you live in a warm area...provide it a well drained area, it uses water and thrives if watered frequently but does not like to be in muddy and damp situations. It is so easy to grow in Meditterranean climates and reasonable easy in the desert...