Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Ugh that’s such a shamethere’s no telling if we can make the big change we want to here for such a long standing tradition, it’s a huge battle, but even if we can get them to improve/update their care to decent standards for some of the tortoises, it’ll change those individuals entire world, which will still be a winI'd have to agree on other students not doing much to change Tortilla's care: he's been here for 5 years now, and as far as I'm aware he's been living in this state the whole time. The other problem is, there's no one person responsible for him, so it's not even like I know his medical background, how he was two years ago, etc. It's basically an impossible job-- no one willing to help, no one even really knowing about him.
Yes, I'll get evidence to you asap. I know this year was the 50th anniversary of the tortoise races. I'm going to get in touch with the organisers, too, and get details from them as to what, if any, planning goes into the events. Species wise, I can't be sure until I've actually contacted everyone, but one slightly strange niche is pancake tortoises... yes, the Kenyan ones. There's a guy at one of our graduate colleges who breeds them (in a legitimate way, to the best of my knowledge) but is also currently selling two babies to other colleges. I'm really, really worried about how well they'd be looked after, given the minimal amount of care given to a Russian, never mind such a rare species!
Would you prefer me to post the evidence on here, or message you?
Thanks, I wouldn't really feel like a very good person if I didn't do something about blatant neglect! Excited to get him home (just a couple of hours up the road) next week and get everything sorted. Is there anything I can do this week to help him out? ie. any particularly good foods, etc, just to give him a bit of a boost before I revamp his set-up? Also, any advice on how he can travel with minimum stress?
Also at least with getting some information out there, we might get lucky in that more caring students like yourself take notice moving forward, perhaps coming to the forum themselves, little by little that could lead to change. At least for the tortoise in their care.
You can either post the evidence on this thread or message me here, I don’t mind
Honestly though I understand your a student with a very busy schedule and social life, so don’t stress if you can’t put time into getting evidence and drafting messages.. I listed all those things off without thinking of how much time and effort it could take for you
I just can’t believe I didn’t know this was a thing here on college campuses.. Maybe I’m just naive to these mattersI knew about class pets like small furries.. which are also terrible.. but when I first read your thread I was first thinking bless this person, then thinking this one college tortoise is bad enough, but when you said ten.. its also the university..then the races I was just
Anyway one step at a time I guess, let’s make the first priority this little guy you’ve kindly taken on
I think moving forward this week, if you could order the bulb we posted(they aren’t expensive)maybe get a temp gun(again aren’t too much) so you can be sure you’re getting your temps and basking spot right, get some orchid bark if you can(pic included, it’s a uk site) and try to get that bulb secure, I think people tend to screw a hook in and use cable ties to secure the wire in place at the height you need it for the temp, you can still clamp it if it’s high enough but I wouldn’t rely solely on the clamp, it can be an accident waiting to happen.
What his diet been like so far do you know? What kind of things have you been feeding since having him? I only ask because I’m conscious of changing too many things at once, he’s probably a bit stressed as is, if there’s anything that jumps out you shouldn’t be feeding we can advise what to stop and go from there on some things to try
The UV strip light would be a great addition but the ones I recommend aren’t cheapthey’re worth the investment but I understand you might not be in the position.Just one more question on lighting -- I should get him both the T5 12% strip light, and the basking floodlight, right?
Hopefully some other members can chime in on alternatives that are reliable but a bit cheaper, I forgot to mention this goes on a separate 4hr timer, we set out from noon till 4ish.
A few hours of natural sun(not through glass) is also sufficient, but obviously our climate doesn’t always allow for that, and idk if your campus has a balcony you could secure or a suitable outdoor space(have to be conscious of weed killers and fertilisers)
As for the travelling, a plastic tub that’s a comfortable enough travel size for him, I’d poke a few holes in the lid(I heated a screw driver and melted a few go outside to do it though lol) then pad the bottom out with a towel you’re willing to sacrificethen on top of the towel a few puppy pads, just maybe try to pop the lid every now n then to make sure he’s not trying to nibble them, he will also very likely poop(they hate car rides lol)so you may want to pull over at least the once to change the pads, that’s for you as much as him cause it stinksso definitely bring bin bags, also I’d keep the windows&air con off in your car(sorry if it gets warm)to avoid a draft on him, if it’s a really warm day though obviously crank the window for yourself lol. I’d give him a half hour soak before and after travelling as he may get a little dehydrated from the journey. If the tub is see through, put a blanket over top, with any luck the darkness will help him nap for some of the journey.
Hope this all helps