dry tortoise shell?

[Yingg]

Romaine lettuce is high in water contents and not very nutritious. Only good when amended with high-fiber pellets, toppers, vitamin or calcium powder. Or to help with hydration in hot weather.

Instead of lettuce you can grow grocery greens - endive, cilantro, arugula and such (seeds are sold everywhere and usually cheap). Or, even better, plants from broadleaf seed mixes for tortoises.

oh okay. i'll feed her romaine with the mazuri, and try to get my hands on seeds!

 

[Yingg]

I am still baffled by her bowl preference, but it is fine as long as it works!

haha, she's a bit strange but at least she eats!

 

[Yingg]

hi guys, i stuck a piece of sponge under her so she drags less. is this a good idea? when i put her in water she doesn't really scramble around too much.

 

[Yingg]

more pictures, removed a piece of the sponge.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

lol bless you I can see what you’re going foras long as that tape isn’t crazy strong, as in adhering so strongly it’s leaving a residue, this might work if you’re worried her plastron is getting a bit scratched up? If there isn’t any abrasion though I wouldn’t worry about doing this, especially because of her previous softer shell, I’d be a bit hesitant in what the tape could do in that regard

 

[Yingg]

lol bless you I can see what you’re going foras long as that tape isn’t crazy strong, as in adhering so strongly it’s leaving a residue, this might work if you’re worried her plastron is getting a bit scratched up? If there isn’t any abrasion though I wouldn’t worry about doing this, especially because of her previous softer shell, I’d be a bit hesitant in what the tape could do in that regard

the tape isn't very strong!! it doesn't leave residue either (i use this on paper and it doesn't really tear much) i just want her to try to walk "normally" (no drag) so maybe this would help

 

[Yingg]

on a side note, she still has gritty urates. i have a water bowl, and I try soaking at least every other day (i haven't got a few days recently because i've been busy though... it was too late and I didn't want to wake her at night.) i mix in romaine lettuce, water, and soak mazuri LS to make her food, then top that with even more water. Is this a moisture issue? her humidity ranges from 35-50. does anyone have tips?

 

[Yingg]

PS if soaking her at night (it gets dark at 6 pm where i am, and i go home at 6 pm) is alright, should i do it? I can bring her tub inside and place it in her enclosure so one end is under a basking lamp. I have a ton of thermometers so the water will stay alright too. when she is soaking outside, i usually let the water cool to drinking water temp (is that what room temperature is?) and then refill and make it warm again.

maybe it is an issue with my water temp. does anyone have an optional water temp? she is 16 years old btw, if age matters! I'm willing to go a good deal to get her healthy and happy.

I feel bad keeping her in her 34x44 inch enclosure, though it's been really cold outside and I can't walk her. Even when I let her out, she walks a bit and then stops, digs a hole, and doesn't move again. (what i'm getting at is that even if i put her outside, she won't walk much. when I put her inside, she paces her enclosure a bit)

so my concerns currently are:
-winter indoors enclosure (too small? what can i do to fix this and make her walk? is it too cold for walks outside- it's about 60-70 degrees?)
- she still drags when walking (tried the sponge + tape thing, i doubt it helps.) not too worried about shell damage as her shell down there is healthy and I don't see much damage at all despite her dragging.
- gritty urates? (is it too cold for soaking since i return home at 6 pm? (i do try to come earlier though. USUALLY every other day i make it back at 3.) is it a humidity issue?)
- are three hour walks (she really only walks for about 20-40 mins and spends the rest of the time under a log) every other day alright? (winter season incoming)

 

[Yingg]

and i'm currently growing a few lettuces and other stuff and will try growing endive, escarole and frisée lettuce. (anyone have seed recommendations? indoor growing tips?) she ate the lettuce accidentally already, at least i know it was yummy.

 

[Yingg]

plans for college: after two years undergrad (they REQUIRE dorms) i will rent an apartment with the money i've saved up while working. I will rebuild her table (or just straight up put pond liner in a small room and keep her in there.) the room will hopefully be big enough so she doesn't have to go outside. by small room btw, i mean bedroom, not a closet those are my plans.

so yeah, two years and I have ultimate tortoise freedom. (and maybe i will get a bird, ever since my old one passed i've been a bit down.)


this thread will probably hold the future two years' worth of updates haha.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Is this a moisture issue?

It could be a protein issue too, just checking, how often do you feed mazuri?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

winter indoors enclosure (too small? what can i do to fix this and make her walk? is it too cold for walks outside- it's about 60-70 degrees?)

Are your parents open on expanding the enclosure?

she still drags when walking (tried the sponge + tape thing, i doubt it helps.) not too worried about shell damage as her shell down there is healthy and I don't see much damage at all despite her dragging.

Have you tried some sort of hydro therapy? It might work a little.

(is it too cold for soaking since i return home at 6 pm?

This depends on, do you still have the basking light on? If so, how long?

and i'm currently growing a few lettuces and other stuff and will try growing endive, escarole and frisée lettuce. (anyone have seed recommendations? indoor growing tips?) she ate the lettuce accidentally already, at least i know it was yummy.

Are you growing the plants in his enclosure? Sufficient lighting is important for growing plants indoors.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

It could be a protein issue too, just checking, how often do you feed mazuri?

Yeah that came to mind after seeing the thread on Edward’s urates!

the tape isn't very strong!! it doesn't leave residue either (i use this on paper and it doesn't really tear much) i just want her to try to walk "normally" (no drag) so maybe this would help

If you think it looks to help her walk a bit better I don’t see the harm

on a side note, she still has gritty urates. i have a water bowl, and I try soaking at least every other day (i haven't got a few days recently because i've been busy though... it was too late and I didn't want to wake her at night.) i mix in romaine lettuce, water, and soak mazuri LS to make her food, then top that with even more water. Is this a moisture issue? her humidity ranges from 35-50. does anyone have tips?

it might be worth trying to raise humidity a little, more in the 50-60 range, perhaps some pvc covering would help a bit

PS if soaking her at night (it gets dark at 6 pm where i am, and i go home at 6 pm) is alright, should i do it? I can bring her tub inside and place it in her enclosure so one end is under a basking lamp. I have a ton of thermometers so the water will stay alright too. when she is soaking outside, i usually let the water cool to drinking water temp (is that what room temperature is?) and then refill and make it warm again.

maybe it is an issue with my water temp. does anyone have an optional water temp? she is 16 years old btw, if age matters! I'm willing to go a good deal to get her healthy and happy.

I feel bad keeping her in her 34x44 inch enclosure, though it's been really cold outside and I can't walk her. Even when I let her out, she walks a bit and then stops, digs a hole, and doesn't move again. (what i'm getting at is that even if i put her outside, she won't walk much. when I put her inside, she paces her enclosure a bit)

so my concerns currently are:
-winter indoors enclosure (too small? what can i do to fix this and make her walk? is it too cold for walks outside- it's about 60-70 degrees?)
- she still drags when walking (tried the sponge + tape thing, i doubt it helps.) not too worried about shell damage as her shell down there is healthy and I don't see much damage at all despite her dragging.
- gritty urates? (is it too cold for soaking since i return home at 6 pm? (i do try to come earlier though. USUALLY every other day i make it back at 3.) is it a humidity issue?)
- are three hour walks (she really only walks for about 20-40 mins and spends the rest of the time under a log) every other day alright? (winter season incoming)

If it’s at a time her indoor lights are still on then yes go for it, try to keep water temp in the 85-95 degrees range. She’s possibly becoming less active outdoors if it’s getting colder where you are but it doesn’t sound dangerously cold
Could be humidity or a protein issue, I’d try raising humidity a bit though personally to see if it helps
Don’t worry too much about her walking round as by the sounds of it a lot of folks Russians are slowing down this time of year despite some being housed indoors warm and well lit, some are just more in tune with the seasonal change, perhaps yours is too

 

[Yingg]

It could be a protein issue too, just checking, how often do you feed mazuri?

currently, not too often. maybe every few days (3-4?)

 

[Yingg]

Are your parents open on expanding the enclosure?

Have you tried some sort of hydro therapy? It might work a little.

This depends on, do you still have the basking light on? If so, how long?

Are you growing the plants in his enclosure? Sufficient lighting is important for growing plants indoors.

my parents aren't open, sadly. and i also tried hydrotherapy. Yes I have the basking light on, it's usually until 7. I'm not growing plants in her enclosure, they're on the windowsill!

 

[Yingg]

Yeah that came to mind after seeing the thread on Edward’s urates!

If you think it looks to help her walk a bit better I don’t see the harm

it might be worth trying to raise humidity a little, more in the 50-60 range, perhaps some pvc covering would help a bit

If it’s at a time her indoor lights are still on then yes go for it, try to keep water temp in the 85-95 degrees range. She’s possibly becoming less active outdoors if it’s getting colder where you are but it doesn’t sound dangerously cold
Could be humidity or a protein issue, I’d try raising humidity a bit though personally to see if it helps
Don’t worry too much about her walking round as by the sounds of it a lot of folks Russians are slowing down this time of year despite some being housed indoors warm and well lit, some are just more in tune with the seasonal change, perhaps yours is too

oh that's true. she always gets inactive around fall/winter. I will try raising the humidity. do you have a picture of the "pvc covering"? thank you!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

my parents aren't open, sadly. and i also tried hydrotherapy. Yes I have the basking light on, it's usually until 7. I'm not growing plants in her enclosure, they're on the windowsill!

For the hydrotherapy, have you tried putting him on a cup or something so his legs don't reach the bottom.

If the basking light is still on, I wouldn't mind soaking him. He has the chance to dry up and get warm.

@Alex and the Redfoot might have recommendations about lighting for plants.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

currently, not too often. maybe every few days (3-4?)

Are there other foods in his diet with protein in them? Like alfalfa, clover or something like it

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

For the hydrotherapy, have you tried putting him on a cup or something so his legs don't reach the bottom.

If the basking light is still on, I wouldn't mind soaking him. He has the chance to dry up and get warm.

@Alex and the Redfoot might have recommendations about lighting for plants.

I think any generic growlights will do. Barrina, Sansi, Mars Hydro etc. Maybe something from Temu.. Not extremely cheap, though.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

oh that's true. she always gets inactive around fall/winter. I will try raising the humidity. do you have a picture of the "pvc covering"? thank you!

If you type in pvc greenhouse material a bunch should come up, it won’t be anywhere near as effective as a closed chamber, but should help rise it a bit if you drape it over, just be sure it’s not touching your light fixtures! Those get hot!