Is this a Hermann's?
- Thread starter Cherbear
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Cherbear said:I bought him as a hermann but someone told me it was a greek. Thanks
That is not a Hermanns. It looks Greek to me too (Its all greek to me!).
Can you show a picture of the plastron or bottom? It will help to see the tail and rear legs too. I have a hermanns where the typical dark markings seem to have faded away some. I also have a male that has a higher dome, which almost appears more like a greek.
On a hermanns, the tail should have a hornlike tip on the tail. It should not have spurs on the back of the thighs. A greek will have a smooth tail and spurs on the back of the thighs.
On a hermanns, the tail should have a hornlike tip on the tail. It should not have spurs on the back of the thighs. A greek will have a smooth tail and spurs on the back of the thighs.
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No it isn't a Hermann's. It's a Middle Eastern Greek tortoise subspecies, Testudo gracea ssp.
i think it's a Testudo graeca.
and you should change the substrat. use garden soil or unfertilized flower soil with sand (for example playground sand or river sand), in ratio 1:3
and you should change the substrat. use garden soil or unfertilized flower soil with sand (for example playground sand or river sand), in ratio 1:3
Yep it is definately a greek, I use a eco soil which works for me fine, Never have a problem with flies, and it keeps just the right amount of hunidity.
I will never understand why pet shop owner sell this crappy substrate to newbies.
Here in the states we used to use sand mixes a lot too. Unfortunately, we saw a lot of sand impactions cases, eye infections and skin irritation due to the sand. In the last few years there has been a trend away from sand, even as part of a mixture, and toward things like what is pictured. I have never personally encountered anyone having any problem with cypress mulch. It doesn't cause impaction or any sort of irritation and it can be kept damp for humidity with no problems. THey also have no problem digging down into it.
martinfre said:
$$$ (profitable)
Tom said:
Indeed!
Tom said:
I often read that the sand is important to give the soil more hardwearing. and the soil is important for humidity and digging. like you said. I never read about any problems with sand, in case of infections.
What's cypress mulch? I can't find a suitable translation.
Or is cypress a plant/tree? http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zypressen
Cherbear said:
Were you able to get this resolved with the seller?
Sorry I haven't replied, I've been super busy. No, I haven't had contact with the seller. It's not a big deal to me if it's a hermann or greek. We were on a small vacation and as we were leaving our hotel my husband noticed reptile show signs and I had to go.
As for the substrate, I've never had a problem with it. And like Tom said they can dig in it just fine. And I'm sure not a tortoise expert, but wouldn't say I'm a newbie. I've been keeping torts for about 6 years now.
As for the substrate, I've never had a problem with it. And like Tom said they can dig in it just fine. And I'm sure not a tortoise expert, but wouldn't say I'm a newbie. I've been keeping torts for about 6 years now.
Cherbear said:
Well, if you're happy w/ it, that's cool...Greeks can make excellent pets, too.
martinfre said:
Literally shredded American cypress (Taxodium distichum) tree wood...an excellent substrata for herps.
martinfre said:
I work in a petshop and never do i recommend any of the substrate that we sell, come to think of it i dont recommend alot of things we sell for reptiles.
Just dont tell my boss.
Most of the comercial substrates are suppose to be the best thing ever for your rep and because its a petshop well! they should know, right? wrong. its all about money!
My boss didnt open a petshop because he loves animals, he doesnt give a rats *** about them, all he is interested in is money and if some animal has to be put down because it isnt well then do it because otherwise it will cost him money to treat it.
so we have to do everything on the sly. In case you havent noticed I HATE MY BOSS
bikerchicspain said:I work in a petshop and never do i recommend any of the substrate that we sell, come to think of it i dont recommend alot of things we sell for reptiles.
Just dont tell my boss.
Most of the comercial substrates are suppose to be the best thing ever for your rep and because its a petshop well! they should know, right? wrong. its all about money!
My boss didnt open a petshop because he loves animals, he doesnt give a rats *** about them, all he is interested in is money and if some animal has to be put down because it isnt well then do it because otherwise it will cost him money to treat it.
so we have to do everything on the sly. In case you havent noticed I HATE MY BOSS
I work in a petstore too, it's entirely about money, all the time. Unless you KNOW the people are REALLY into what their doing don't believe them. If they love it, you can tell. I don't particularly like my boss either!
martinfre said:
Cypress is a tree, and the mulch is ground up pieces of the bark. Here in the states, a lot of us use it and like it. It is one of the substrates of choice.
http://www.google.com/products/cata....osb&biw=1280&bih=927&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&
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