help new tortoise!

[sibi]

Many of us do in fact. There aren't just Americans on here, and tbh, calling them 'Greek Tortoises' is a very misleading name, so I see no problem with calling them Spur-Thighs, as it is a more accurate description anyway. I think they were referring to a 'Greek' tortoise, I can't see why you think they were referring to a different species. I don't agree, for as I said, different names are perfectly acceptable, and a 'Spur Thigh' name is more accurate, even if the Latin name calls it 'Greek'. Yes Sulcatas are sometimes called African Spur-Thighed Tortoises, but that is quite an unusual name. Perhaps a thread with common name synonyms would be a good idea. I can think of at least one other tortoise like the Greeks, where American English calls them Russians, when in fact they don't come from Russia at all. Here we call them Horsfield's Tortoise generally.

I do know that Americans aren't the only ones on this forum. I think the conversation has steered off course. This isn't an insult to my numerous foreign friends or about language. If you feel the need to start a thread on common usage of English words being incorrectly appied to various species of tortoises, go right ahead. I, for one, will welcome it. But, for the purpose of this thread, it was obvious the OP didn't know what kind of tortoise she had. I'm glad I questioned the species she had so that she can research and give the best care to her greek baby.

 

[FLINTUS]

I do know that Americans aren't the only ones on this forum. I think the conversation has steered off course. This isn't an insult to my numerous foreign friends or about language. If you feel the need to start a thread on common usage of English words being incorrectly appied to various species of tortoises, go right ahead. I, for one, will welcome it. But, for the purpose of this thread, it was obvious the OP didn't know what kind of tortoise she had. I'm glad I questioned the species she had so that she can research and give the best care to her greek baby.

My post was not an attack on you, just in case you may have thought it was, but I did feel your post was slightly inconsiderate. These two bits annoyed me in particular:
But we don't speak British English here I've already explained that some of us do
We don't want members to be confused about just what kind of tortoise they have, don't you agree? Believe me, calling a tortoise which doesn't come from Greece a 'Greek' is much more confusing. I don't see why you can't just accept both of the common names-I provided you with the basic information about other common names, and that you dismissed the name 'spur thigh.' I don't feel any names are being incorrectly applied, it's perfectly fine to use any of the common names, I think people need to accept that we can all use different common names.
That's the thing, I don't think the OP was confused. I believe the OP thought they had a testudo graeca. I guess only the OP could answer that question.
That will probably be my last post on this thread, as have you have said, this has gone way off-topic.

 

[gk8]

Thanks everyone for the comments. Im still really worried hes not drinking any water. I took him to a vet yesterday and he said that he didn't look dehydrated and he was a lively little thing, but he didn't know that much about tortoises as he rarely has anyone bring one in. He has a plant pot dish with water when hes out in his run in the garden and he has one in his cage. The woman who had him before me never gave him a water dish she just used to wet his food. I just want to make sure im looking after him properly. I have made an appointment with a vet who specialises in tortoises so I should be able to get his exact age and sex (as he may be a girl). Hes 11cm long and weighs 190g

This forums amazing!! thanks for all your help everyone There's so much to know and take in.

 

[FLINTUS]

Thanks everyone for the comments. Im still really worried hes not drinking any water. I took him to a vet yesterday and he said that he didn't look dehydrated and he was a lively little thing, but he didn't know that much about tortoises as he rarely has anyone bring one in. He has a plant pot dish with water when hes out in his run in the garden and he has one in his cage. The woman who had him before me never gave him a water dish she just used to wet his food. I just want to make sure im looking after him properly. I have made an appointment with a vet who specialises in tortoises so I should be able to get his exact age and sex (as he may be a girl). Hes 11cm long and weighs 190g

This forums amazing!! thanks for all your help everyone There's so much to know and take in.

Try giving a long, warm bath, put on a lid to keep in the humidity, and put a low power heat mat underneath to keep the water warm.

 

[sibi]

Thanks everyone for the comments. Im still really worried hes not drinking any water. I took him to a vet yesterday and he said that he didn't look dehydrated and he was a lively little thing, but he didn't know that much about tortoises as he rarely has anyone bring one in. He has a plant pot dish with water when hes out in his run in the garden and he has one in his cage. The woman who had him before me never gave him a water dish she just used to wet his food. I just want to make sure im looking after him properly. I have made an appointment with a vet who specialises in tortoises so I should be able to get his exact age and sex (as he may be a girl). Hes 11cm long and weighs 190g

This forums amazing!! thanks for all your help everyone There's so much to know and take in.

I know how nerve wracking it could be when a little baby won't eat or drink. If you give warm soaks twice daily, he'll be hydrated enough. Don't worry too much. Remember, he's in a new environment and all torts tend to not eat or drink for a few days especially if things are being done different from what he may be used to. It's good that you found a vet that knows how to treat tortoises. This way, if he needs to be checked for parasites or worms, that can be done. Don't let the vet give him any vitamin A shots, though. They like to do that a lot, and many torts have died with overdoses of the stuff. Keep us posted.

 

[StaceyJ]

I am new also! I have found great advise and lots of resources here.