Eazy - the Texas Tortoise intro

[brigcampbell]

Hey, first post.

I now I have a 24-year-old Texas tortoise and his name is Eazy.

He had a tough upbringing because he was raised as a turtle and was a complete mess. He has very large pyramids because of the situation.

And he decided that he really liked pebbles and filled himself up.

A veterinary nurse rescued him and tube fed him for a year. That was almost 20 years ago. She now is moving to Montana and through a mutual acquaintance I ended up taking him.

I've been reading tons about tortoises. LOL.

Eazy is a wildly social tortoise. He loves people and animals.

I'm trying not to freak out when he doesn't eat or doesn't come out of his dog house because the weather's not above 70°

I built him a nice turtle town and I kept his dog house that he loved so much.

I'll post some pictures

 

[brigcampbell]

Pictures

 

[brigcampbell]

He's not eating as much as I'd like but I understand that moving from a home he lived in for 17 years to a brand new environment can be a little stressful.

We're both a little stressed!

Hopefully, when we get out of June gloom and we get a good streak of warm weather he'll feel better.

 

[Ink]

Welcome to the forum. @Yvonne G should be able to give you pointers. May I suggest getting rid of the rocks and maybe put down some slate tiles or just grass.

 

[brigcampbell]

Thanks, I just put the rock in. LOL

I needed something big enough he wouldn't eat. I'll attach a picture of his X-ray when he was younger filled with pebbles.

So I have half grass and the other have larger stones with some slate prices. Are the rocks back for him? He doesn't seem to mind walking around on them but what do I know.

 

[Ink]

I personally wouldn't risk the rock and they look like they have sharp edges which can hurt their feet. My opinion I am not an expert. Also check the tortoise table to make sure your plants in the enclosure are safe for the tortoise.

 

[brigcampbell]

Also check the tortoise table to make sure your plants in the enclosure are safe for the tortoise.

Yep, found that site and use it religiously

 

[Ink]

@Tom will help you with a better heated box.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Welcome to the forum!
Hopefully Yvonne and Tom can advise you further for the care on this guy, a heated box hide is definitely a good idea!

Off the bat regarding the stones, believe it or not because I know for the most part they’re too big, some in there still do look like they could be a potential swallowing/choking hazard, I would generally advise against using any kind of stone cobbles like this, they’re a risk not worth taking. I’d switch it out for grass personally. Speaking of grass, that is real what you’ve put down?🙂I only ask because they can try to eat the faux stuff which will cause problems

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Also just to add! Given your guys history, you have yourself a pebble eater on your hands here🤣don’t put it past him to spend the time finding ones that are small enough for him to swallow! He’s surrounded with temptations🥲

 

[TammyJ]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[TammyJ]

Thanks, I just put the rock in. LOL

I needed something big enough he wouldn't eat. I'll attach a picture of his X-ray when he was younger filled with pebbles.

So I have half grass and the other have larger stones with some slate prices. Are the rocks back for him? He doesn't seem to mind walking around on them but what do I know.View attachment 372309View attachment 372310

That's horrific!

 

[brigcampbell]

I’d switch it out for grass personally. Speaking of grass, that is real what you’ve put down?🙂I only ask because they can try to eat the faux stuff which will cause problems

It's Bermuda grass with some weeds. 🤠

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

It's Bermuda grass with some weeds. 🤠

Nice😊 I’d grass up the entire thing personally, I think your guy will love it!😁

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Maybe even get some large stone garden slabs for some of it if you don’t want the entire thing grass😊if they’re in a spot with direct sunlight for long periods, I’d check with a temp gun that they aren’t getting too hot👍

 

[brigcampbell]

I have a IR gun, used it when I gave him a warm soak.

Here's a list of his recent brumation dates.



Dude can sleep!

 

[wellington]

I agree with removing the stones. They are ruff on his shell and could cause damage. Also because he has no problem eating stones from his past, why rusk it.
It does need a heated house. The dog house is not warm enough and can't be kept warm enough. You could build a proper night box, @Tom has a thread on how to build them and put his dog house in it

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I have a IR gun, used it when I gave him a warm soak.

Here's a list of his recent brumation dates.

View attachment 372311

Dude can sleep!

Good good, they always come in handy👍
lol love the little tortoise sticker next to his dates!😂
Hopefully you can start building him a nice heated box, I see if I can find the thread wellington is on about, I’ve seen it myself before🙂

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I think this is the right one but I’m sure the others will correct me if I’m wrong, obviously your one guy won’t need something as big but hopefully the design can inspire you🙂

Double Door Night Box

As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[brigcampbell]

Thanks, I read that thread not knowing that I actually needed to build one.

As a reference, Eazy lived in Irvine, CA about 10 miles from me. Identical weather.

He's never had a heated box, I asked when I picked him up last Sunday after reading stuff here. Just his dog house and so I took that with me.

I guess I'll need to spend some brain cycles on a solution that includes a tortoise heat pad.

All construction projects require sign off from the warden for aesthetics.