First time tortoise owner

Sandieh5

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Aug 29, 2017
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Plano IL
We are a first time tortoise owner so any advise about feeding and cleaning will be very helpful. We have had our new tortoise since Friday and today it has decided to claw one corner of her tank. Also, we were told that it is a couple of months old and that it was ok to feed it parsley, carrots, blueberries and green peppers but my granddaughter takes it outside and it seems to like the grass in our yard better. Should we be feeding it the stuff we are? One more question, we were told it is a female but they weren't too sure, how do we tell?
 

wellington

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Hello and Welcome. We can't help you without knowing what kind of tortoise you have. Most tortoises shouldn't be fed fruits, however, it's okay for some.
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Sandie and welcome!

We'll need to know what species of tortoise you have. Like Barb said, some shouldn't be fed fruit. And if yours started eating grass outside right away, it's probably older than a baby. Can we see pictures please?
 

Sandieh5

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Here is Coco
 

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Tidgy's Dad

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Tidgy's Dad

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Any idea how old Coco might be? and how to tell if it is male or female?
It is impossible to say how old a tortoise is without knowing it's hatch date, as they grow at hugely varying rates due to various different reasons. But it is certainly a LOT older than two months. I would guess 8 to 10 years, but others more knowledgeable may correct me, and it's just a guess based on size and growth lines.
If you post a picture of the underside, the plastron, particularly the tail area, we should be able to determine the sex from the length and shape of the tail and the shape of the plastron and scutes near the tail.
 

Momagn36

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Christiansburg VA Blue Ridge Mountians
Mine clawed at corners when I first got her too. I was advised to put a strip of duct tape around the tank so she could not see out, and it worked like a charm. Just one strip all around was enough for her to realize she cant walk through the glass no matter how hard she tries.
 

Sandieh5

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Ok my friends, is Coco a boy or a Girl?
 

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Karenxx67

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I wonder what flash is. Man in reptile shop said they were too young to tell.
 

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