Hello,
I'm in California and received 14 desert tortoise eggs from a friend whose neighbor found them in her yard in June. I'm taking it on her word that they are California desert tortoises. I believe they are, but I'd appreciate an expert's help in identification details. Turns out her tortoises are old enough to mate now. Anyway, 5 of the eggs were not fertile, and we managed to do enough right to get 9 out of 9 hatchlings from the others. I've been soaking them and feeding them finely chopped greens, kale, and a little organic baby food, giving them regular sun outside, etc. I have them on wax paper right now so that the littlest ones' egg sacs don't rupture, but only the newest one needs that now, and I want to do something better for substrate.
Any advice would be appreciated.
BTW, I'm not entirely new to tortoises -- we found an unmarked one in the street some years ago. After a couple of years, the original owner turned up and wanted her back. I tried to adopt one, but no one would allow it because we have dogs, despite having a very safe enclosed area for torts. I have nearly 2/3 acre, so that didn't seem fair, but whatever. Now I have my hands full with these tiny darlings. I want to make sure I do it right!
Thanks,
Bonnie
So far they are Master Oogway, Leonardo, Dean, Icarus Proudbottom (hatched upside down and backwards!), Beans and Clarence Oddbody. Still working on names for the others - ha.
I'm in California and received 14 desert tortoise eggs from a friend whose neighbor found them in her yard in June. I'm taking it on her word that they are California desert tortoises. I believe they are, but I'd appreciate an expert's help in identification details. Turns out her tortoises are old enough to mate now. Anyway, 5 of the eggs were not fertile, and we managed to do enough right to get 9 out of 9 hatchlings from the others. I've been soaking them and feeding them finely chopped greens, kale, and a little organic baby food, giving them regular sun outside, etc. I have them on wax paper right now so that the littlest ones' egg sacs don't rupture, but only the newest one needs that now, and I want to do something better for substrate.
Any advice would be appreciated.
BTW, I'm not entirely new to tortoises -- we found an unmarked one in the street some years ago. After a couple of years, the original owner turned up and wanted her back. I tried to adopt one, but no one would allow it because we have dogs, despite having a very safe enclosed area for torts. I have nearly 2/3 acre, so that didn't seem fair, but whatever. Now I have my hands full with these tiny darlings. I want to make sure I do it right!
Thanks,
Bonnie
So far they are Master Oogway, Leonardo, Dean, Icarus Proudbottom (hatched upside down and backwards!), Beans and Clarence Oddbody. Still working on names for the others - ha.