How old does my baby torts need to be before giving them up? My vet says two years!

Ian Dawson

New Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2017
Messages
6
Location (City and/or State)
Liverpool
I have homes sorted for them already, some very young children who I understand could hurt them if left alone with them. Some going to adults, obviously they want their torts asap. But then my vet (who is a reptile and tortoise specialist) said don't let them go for at least 2 years. Whats that all about? Not as if they rely on their parents!!!
 

zovick

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 17, 2013
Messages
3,387
I believe that young tortoises can go to their new homes as early as 30 to 60 days of age depending upon the experience level of the new owner(s). If one were going to an experienced adult tortoise keeper, an age even younger than 30 days might be acceptable. I have let my baby Radiated Tortoises go to experienced keepers whom I know at 7 to 10 days old with no problems. I just like to make sure the umbilical area has closed up nicely before letting them go at 7 to 10 days old. Certainly two years is much too long to keep them yourself. Some tortoise species could be as much as 50% or more of their adult size in that amount of time.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,388
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
We sell our leopards as soon as we know they're eating well and are healthy. We certainly do not keep them for 2 years!
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,264
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
I agree with everything Mr. Z said above.

Further, I'll speculate as to why your vet made that assertion: Its because most breeders start their babies wrong, which results in their death, and creates the illusion that babies are somehow delicate and fragile and just not meant to survive in some cases. Because death occurs so long after the fact, these people don't associate the death with their actions.

To elaborate, I see several common errors:
1. Babies are left in the incubator on their incubation media for too long. This can cause a blockage because they eat the media.
2. The brooder box is skipped and new hatchlings are put directly into enclosures while they still have a yolk sac or open umbilical scar.
3. Newly hatched babies are left outside all day with the mistaken idea that they do "better" outside.
4. Newly hatched babies aren't soaked often enough because people mistakenly believe that they are "desert" species and they need dry conditions. Some breeders think that soaking daily will cause them to not digest their food, or give them shell rot, or upset their "water balance". All of these things are false.
5. All of the aforementioned issues are compounded by keeping babies in dry enclosures with dry substrate and no humid hide.

Because of these things, many people, including vets, see a lot of babies die and incorrectly conclude that babies are "fragile". They aren't fragile. Their basic requirements for life, like hydration, simply were not met. If started correctly, they all survive and thrive.
 

Kristy1970

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
759
Location (City and/or State)
Addis, LA
Thank you.... I've learned so much here.... I'm going to keep learning... buying a couple acres in the country and would love to try breeding Sulcatas and others. Now we live in a subdivision (2nd biggest lot) - buying a tiller tomorrow to create a completely organic garden for us and Daisy. Ordered a Chicken coop with fine wire as a cover and a completely enclosed hide with a tiny low ramp... Daisy is like a bulldozer. I keep waiting for her to fall on her back, but she always manages to not flip over. Amazing. Also, I NEVER let her outside when we are not in the backyard. I will continue that process until she is at least 2 years old. She doesn't like her indoor enclosure although it really is like a mansion. So, I'm trying to figure out an alternative solution. Ugh. But at least she doesn't cry all night like a puppy :D
 

Kristy1970

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
759
Location (City and/or State)
Addis, LA
Thank you.... I've learned so much here.... I'm going to keep learning... buying a couple acres in the country and would love to try breeding Sulcatas and others. Now we live in a subdivision (2nd biggest lot) - buying a tiller tomorrow to create a completely organic garden for us and Daisy. Ordered a Chicken coop with fine wire as a cover and a completely enclosed hide with a tiny low ramp... Daisy is like a bulldozer. I keep waiting for her to fall on her back, but she always manages to not flip over. Amazing. Also, I NEVER let her outside when we are not in the backyard. I will continue that process until she is at least 2 years old. She doesn't like her indoor enclosure although it really is like a mansion. So, I'm trying to figure out an alternative solution. Ugh. But at least she doesn't cry all night like a puppy :D
I've been asked several times... "WHY" would you want a turtle? I tell them, it is NOT a turtle, it's a tortoise and they don't whine or cry and want to sleep in your bed and poo and pee on carpet. My Shih Tzu thought the carpet was a giant puppy pad. Pulled up all the carpet and put down laminate flooring... about 5K and tons of back breaking work .... so ummmm...... you tell ME ... WHY I want a tortoise... she eats weeds and is cleaner than my dog. Rant done :D
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,388
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Your vet was probably referring to the 4" rule. There's a regulation here in the States about business not being able to sell turtles and tortoises under 4" in a straight line front to back. But it's only for BUSINESSES. If selling your babies isn't a business for you, it's perfectly ok for you to sell them whenever they're ready.
 

Kristy1970

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
759
Location (City and/or State)
Addis, LA
Your vet was probably referring to the 4" rule. There's a regulation here in the States about business not being able to sell turtles and tortoises under 4" in a straight line front to back. But it's only for BUSINESSES. If selling your babies isn't a business for you, it's perfectly ok for you to sell them whenever they're ready.
Thank you for the positive feed back. My job is so stresful and working in my yard is my stress control. We are going buy a $900 tiller tomorrow. I am serious about this. I'm talking my mental state is at risk. Opening up here.... I've been bi-polar since I can ever remember, first episode I can recall was 4 years old. I was not officially diagnosed until I married Kevin and he told me he would not ever give up on me... that was 13 years ago. It took several medication combo switches, but finally about 6 years ago, my doctor hit the mother load. My doctor said, I'm not ever giving up on you and I will not let you give up on yourself. Poetic! Right combo of Mood stabilizer (Lamictal) and anti-depressant (Effexor) and anti-anxiety (Xanax - as needed). 90% of the time I wake up at 5 am with a major panic attack, but if I take the lowest dosage of Xanax before bed, it is tolerable to get up and get to work. Once I'm at work it's fine even though it is so stressful. Bi-polar is my cross to bear in this life and it's a small cross compared to what others deal with. I have a wonderful loving close family and friends. That is what life is all about... oh and did I mention that I now have Daisy :)
 

WithLisa

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2015
Messages
967
Location (City and/or State)
Austria
I've been asked several times... "WHY" would you want a turtle? I tell them, it is NOT a turtle, it's a tortoise and they don't whine or cry and want to sleep in your bed and poo and pee on carpet. My Shih Tzu thought the carpet was a giant puppy pad. Pulled up all the carpet and put down laminate flooring... about 5K and tons of back breaking work .... so ummmm...... you tell ME ... WHY I want a tortoise... she eats weeds and is cleaner than my dog. Rant done :D
Most dogs can be housetrained whereas tortoises... Well, I would never let my torts near the carpets. :p
 

Hutsie B

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2013
Messages
471
Location (City and/or State)
NC
thanks for opening up about your Bi-Polar, I also am Bi-polar and it does bring its challenges, THe turtles help.We also have dogs and they help a lot. They finally after years found the right medicines for me. It was brave of you to open up. thanks.
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,658
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
I have homes sorted for them already, some very young children who I understand could hurt them if left alone with them. Some going to adults, obviously they want their torts asap. But then my vet (who is a reptile and tortoise specialist) said don't let them go for at least 2 years. Whats that all about? Not as if they rely on their parents!!!
I'd be very careful with this vet treating your tort. A false statement of having to wait two years tells me s/he's not as much a tort specialist as they may think they are.
 

New Posts

Top