Man they grow so fast

kimber_lee_314

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 19, 2008
Messages
2,628
Location (City and/or State)
So Cal
Very nice!!! May I ask what kind of substrate you use? I know a lot of people use oyster shells for their Egyptians, but I have never been comfortable using it.
 

ismail

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2012
Messages
87
What do you give them to eat? I am trying all the weeds i normally give to my graecas but they seem interested only in lettuce :(
 

tortadise

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Joined
Mar 2, 2012
Messages
9,560
Location (City and/or State)
Tropical South Texas
Very nice!!! May I ask what kind of substrate you use? I know a lot of people use oyster shells for their Egyptians, but I have never been comfortable using it.
Decomposed granite mixed with topsoil. Holds moisture but gives the arid substrate needed
 

billskleins

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2013
Messages
89
Kelly - approx what is the ratio of the decomposed granite to soil in your substrate ?
 

tortadise

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Joined
Mar 2, 2012
Messages
9,560
Location (City and/or State)
Tropical South Texas
Decomposed is 75% 10% is mulch(small pieces not large bark pieces) and then 15% top soil. Decomposed granite hardens up like concrete over time. So I add the mix to help with it to not harden up. San Diego zoo keeps there homopus on decomposed granite and always had trouble with females digging to nest because of it hardening. But a quick add of percentage of other soils helps with it. They typically dig like they would in the wild, straight down with their butts in the air at a good 30-40 degree angle. They love it. It can be ingested though which is a concern. So a food plate is definitely to be utilized with this substrate.
 

bouaboua

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Dec 7, 2013
Messages
11,809
Location (City and/or State)
San Jose CA
Wow. How beautiful. I mean entire group!!!!
 

Turtlepete

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 12, 2014
Messages
972
Location (City and/or State)
South Florida
Decomposed is 75% 10% is mulch(small pieces not large bark pieces) and then 15% top soil. Decomposed granite hardens up like concrete over time. So I add the mix to help with it to not harden up. San Diego zoo keeps there homopus on decomposed granite and always had trouble with females digging to nest because of it hardening. But a quick add of percentage of other soils helps with it. They typically dig like they would in the wild, straight down with their butts in the air at a good 30-40 degree angle. They love it. It can be ingested though which is a concern. So a food plate is definitely to be utilized with this substrate.

Very interesting information. Do you use that kind of substrate with other arid species, like Chaco's perhaps? Beautiful animals. If I had a lot of money to spend I would want to get a few of these guys at the NRBE this year, haha.
 
M

Maggie Cummings

Guest
Seems like when ever I say something about your tortoises the word "beautiful" is used often...so just put the word in here...your tortoises are just ---------.
 

New Posts

Top