Hello,
I have recently purchased a marginated tortoise. However, I haven't previously owned a tortoise before, and have alot of general questions I would like to ask. I've been to alot of pet stores to look for information and looked for books, and searched the web. I was able to find alot of information, but I am still confused about how to properly take care of my Marginated tortoise that was hatched in late June 2008.
I was told, and would like to confirm that:
- to maintain the temperature mid to high 80s during the day, 70s in the night.
- maintain humidity level of 40-50%.
- keep my tortoise in a tank 6 times its body length.
- use a wide, shallow, water dish so that my tortoise can walk into the water if he/she wishes to.
- use forest bark as the bedding.
- have a container with mosh dampened as a humid retreat.
- soak him/her for 20mins.
- mist about 5 sprays with a small spray bottle.
- my tortoise is intelligent, and will eat only want he/she needs.
- it is regular for my tortoise to sleep randomly during the day, anywhere in the tank.
- front legs move when it's sleeping for breathing.
- diet consist of mainly dark greens; kale, dandelion, bok choy.
Also, I have some questions I would like to know if anyone can help me with:
- I received many different recommendations for diet. 1) I was told, and read that his/her diet consist of 100% greens. 2) 80% greens, 10% protien, 10% other, fruits and other stuff in a list in a book I have. I am not too sure what diet I should go by.
- What type of greens are good and which ones are bad? I first fed it on the first day romaine lettuce, but an employee from a pet store told me it was bad, so I switched to kale, but then I just read on this forum that kale was no good. I also read, and was told that dandelions and bok choy are a good choice, however, what does dandelions refer to? the plant itself? and where can I purchase them?
- What type of bedding would be the best for a margenated tortoise?
- What is the best way to maintain a constant moisture level in a tank? (I am having a bit of trouble with this)
- Can my tortoise choke on big pieces of food?
- When it is sleeping, what should it look like, should it be fully inside its shell, or having its legs and head hang out? Currently, my tortoise sleeps with its legs and head not fully in its shell.
- I'm worried my tortoise might be dehydrated when it appears to be randomly sleeping, just lying there with eyes shut. How does a tortoise behave when dehydrated?
- How often do they poo? My tortoise hasn't pooped since I first bought it home, almost 5 days.
- I read that they pee daily, how can I spot if it peed or not?
Any information would be greatly appreciated, Thank you.
I have recently purchased a marginated tortoise. However, I haven't previously owned a tortoise before, and have alot of general questions I would like to ask. I've been to alot of pet stores to look for information and looked for books, and searched the web. I was able to find alot of information, but I am still confused about how to properly take care of my Marginated tortoise that was hatched in late June 2008.
I was told, and would like to confirm that:
- to maintain the temperature mid to high 80s during the day, 70s in the night.
- maintain humidity level of 40-50%.
- keep my tortoise in a tank 6 times its body length.
- use a wide, shallow, water dish so that my tortoise can walk into the water if he/she wishes to.
- use forest bark as the bedding.
- have a container with mosh dampened as a humid retreat.
- soak him/her for 20mins.
- mist about 5 sprays with a small spray bottle.
- my tortoise is intelligent, and will eat only want he/she needs.
- it is regular for my tortoise to sleep randomly during the day, anywhere in the tank.
- front legs move when it's sleeping for breathing.
- diet consist of mainly dark greens; kale, dandelion, bok choy.
Also, I have some questions I would like to know if anyone can help me with:
- I received many different recommendations for diet. 1) I was told, and read that his/her diet consist of 100% greens. 2) 80% greens, 10% protien, 10% other, fruits and other stuff in a list in a book I have. I am not too sure what diet I should go by.
- What type of greens are good and which ones are bad? I first fed it on the first day romaine lettuce, but an employee from a pet store told me it was bad, so I switched to kale, but then I just read on this forum that kale was no good. I also read, and was told that dandelions and bok choy are a good choice, however, what does dandelions refer to? the plant itself? and where can I purchase them?
- What type of bedding would be the best for a margenated tortoise?
- What is the best way to maintain a constant moisture level in a tank? (I am having a bit of trouble with this)
- Can my tortoise choke on big pieces of food?
- When it is sleeping, what should it look like, should it be fully inside its shell, or having its legs and head hang out? Currently, my tortoise sleeps with its legs and head not fully in its shell.
- I'm worried my tortoise might be dehydrated when it appears to be randomly sleeping, just lying there with eyes shut. How does a tortoise behave when dehydrated?
- How often do they poo? My tortoise hasn't pooped since I first bought it home, almost 5 days.
- I read that they pee daily, how can I spot if it peed or not?
Any information would be greatly appreciated, Thank you.