Hello and Help!

[jaqnovoa]

Hi everyone.
We have just rescued two African Spur-thighed tortoises but have no idea how to look after them. We have been researching the internet for the last two days but that just seems to be more confusing. They weigh 160g and 300g and the latter has what looks like impact damage on its shell. We live in Murcia, Spain and our temperatures range between
-3ºC and 14ºC in winter and 17º to 40º in summer. My question are these:
- How can we tell if they are in good condition?
- What and how much should they be eating?
- Is there anyone out there in our area who can advise us on when they need to come indoors and when they can be left outside?
These are the immediate questions, I'm sure there will be lots more to come.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Jaqnovoa:

to the forum!!

Can you post some pictures of your new tortoises? We just want to be sure they really are African sulcatas and not Mediterranean spur thigh tortoises.

If you do your web search using the name "sulcata" instead of African spur thigh, you will get better answers.

If you truly do have sulcatas, they are going to require quite a bit of outdoor space. They grow very large, maybe 150lbs or some even get bigger. They eat grass and weeds, however babies can be fed dark, leafy greens and can be kept indoors until they are big enough to go outside.

So, show us your tortoises, and once we are sure what you have, we'll be happy to help you with how to care for them.

 

[DonaTello's-Mom]

Hello and welcome! Your in the right place for answers but please post some pictures so you can get advice for your type of tortoise. Yvonne is great and has been very helpful to me with my sulcata.

 

[jaqnovoa]

I have some photos but am not sure how to put them on here...

---

Ok. Sorted it out! Sorry for being such a dummy. I hope the photos came through. We assume they are African sulcatas as they come from Morocco but am happy for your expert opinion.

 

[DonaTello's-Mom]

No picture is showing yet......

 

[jaqnovoa]

I think this time I've managed to attach the photos.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

Hi everyone.
We have just rescued two African Spur-thighed tortoises but have no idea how to look after them. We have been researching the internet for the last two days but that just seems to be more confusing. They weigh 160g and 300g and the latter has what looks like impact damage on its shell. We live in Murcia, Spain and our temperatures range between
-3ºC and 14ºC in winter and 17º to 40º in summer. My question are these:
- How can we tell if they are in good condition?
- What and how much should they be eating?
- Is there anyone out there in our area who can advise us on when they need to come indoors and when they can be left outside?
These are the immediate questions, I'm sure there will be lots more to come.

This link should be helpful to you:

http://www.sulcata-station.org/basics.html

 

[Yvonne G]

Nope, those are NOT African sulcatas. If they came from Morroco, then they are more than likely Testudo graeca graeca. I'm not at all good at identifying the Mediterranean tortoises (the testudos), so we'll have to hope that a more experienced person will help you with the I.D. Once we have it right, then you can post your questions in the "Greek Geeks" forum. Lots of Greek owners here on the forum. Its a VERY popular tortoise.

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Oh...and...they don't get nearly as big as the African tortoise! They are a very manageable size.

 

[egyptiandan]

You have 2 Testudo graeca graeca, Algerian spur-thighed tortoises. They came originally from Algeria, but there is an introduced population in the southeast of Spain. If your close to this area, you should be able to leave them outside all year. They just need a place to get out of the weather.

Danny

 

[Yvonne G]

Tia Maria looks like she was chewed on by a dog (or a dog-like wild animal). Its old scarring and nothing to worry about.

Your tortoises will benefit from a high fiber, low protein and calcium rich diet, and will more than likely do very well outside. Do you have a nice fenced yard that they can go out to?

 

[jaqnovoa]

Thanks to everyone for your comments.
I shall now try the Greek geeks!!
Jacqui