Tortoise Forum

I noticed a hard bump on my tortoise’s hind leg about 2 weeks ago and noticed today that it fell off. It was hard and white and kinda thick. I included a picture of when I first noticed it, when I saw it fell off, the inside of the bump and what it looked like after. If anyone knows what this is...

Hi fellow tort lovers! I’m a new member and first time tort parent! This past Sunday I noticed that my dear Sulcata, Shelly, has its mouth open and can’t full close. It was trying to eat but couldn’t bite of a leaf like it used to. I took Shelly to a reptile vet on Monday and was diagnosed with...

I adopted an adult redfoot about 1-2 years ago, and until now it seems to only eat Mazuri and worms. No matter which type of greens (weeds, plant bought leafy greens), he doesn’t eat any. Is this normal for redfoots? Any food recommendations to get this guy to eat greens????

Something I’ve often thought about and never understood why. You can get a pyramided tortoise and improve it’s husbandry so the new growth grows on in its correct plane (flatter). But I have never ever seen a smooth tortoise once established(hardened off, ossification is complete) start to...

Turtle shells are unique adaptations, not least because the shoulder blade sits inside the ribcage unlike all other vertebrates. Now, a new study of developing turtle embryos suggests how these animals moved towards this bizarre body plan.

OK guys. During the past year I have observed/treated tortoises with Austwickia and documented the results. I have also discussed this disease with several veterinarians at this point and it's time for a data dump. General information on the disease: 1. The "yellow bump" disease is caused...

Hi everyone, wanted to provide an update to the sick sulcata I posted about back in late December that passed away after a week in the vets care. UF finally came back with the histology & PCR results from the necropsy and he was positive for ranavirus. Symptoms i noticed were weakness in the...

This is a copy/paste of an article I wrote on my blog last year. I've seen several new keepers ask the question of whether they should get a 'friend' for their tortoise, and so rather than keeping on linking to my blog (which feels kinda self-promoting, which is not my intent), I am creating a...

What about a group of hatchlings of two species? Hermanns and Sulcatas. Both are one month old. Species should never be mixed. These two species have different housing and feeding requirements. If both are kept in the same enclosure, one of them will be in the wrong environment. There is also...

I've heard this term for many years and I don't like it. Its a way to excuse our ignorance and failure. I will agree that an occasional hatchling is born that is just not going to make it no matter what anybody does, but MOST of them, if they make it full term and hatch, SHOULD survive and...

Sorry for the long post, but I’m trying to include all of the relevant details. I know there are some real experts on here, I appreciate if you are able to lend some of your knowledge. We have an appointment on Tuesday with an exotics vet. I would like to know what questions I should be asking...

Could somebody explain where I can see if pyramiding is still happening. My little Sully was started dry and obviously shows signs of pyramiding. Thanks to @Tom It's in an enclosed enclosure with humidity 77-82%. I know the dark brown is where the shell is growing. Am I just looking for that...

I'll have to say he's turining in to one beautiful little guy! :D:

Looked at the schedule this afternoon and saw a turtle on the books and thought that I had something to look forward to.....boy, was I right. (I was given permission, by the owner, to post pics and tell his story so the members of TFO could learn from his mistake....thanks to him). Turned...

This "trick" is only for turtles and tortoises that aren't eating and have swollen shut eyes. It's not a cure-all, and unless you fix the reason why the eyes swelled shut in the first place, they're just going to swell shut again after the soaks. Using a bowl with tall sides (so the animal...

Tortoises need very high humidity as babies, and for some, all of their lives. But with that humidit

My red-eared slider has some red spot near left eye. It has this spot around month. During this period nothing has changed, but I'm worrying about some potential troubles. Has someone dealt with similar case? Any help appreciates

Can this medicine can be given to my 935gram star tortoise for deworming. In small dosage.? And what will be precautions? Eazypet Tablet Contains: Praziquantel – 50 mg Pyrantel Pamoate – 144 mg Fenbendazole – 500 mg

Letting a tortoise roam the floor of a house has long been a very common practice. Many believe that it is a good way to get exercise, or even just a way for a tortoise to have fun or explore. Some keepers even let their tortoises permanently roam their house instead of an enclosure, believing...

Seems like every year my diamondback terrapin have some kind of skin issue. Reason being is because I don't disturb the turtles with water changes during the winter, resulting in not as pristine wayer quality; so I definitely have to upgrade filtration. This year wasn't bad. One of the male...