I recently inherited a 59-60 yr old Hermann Tortoise. I must add I am very happy to have him, it wasn't unwillingly.
He was (with previous owners) on a diet of grazing on grass, cucumber and no joke frosties cereal with milk and tea with 2 sugars!
I'm currently trying to find out what healthy foods he likes by feeding him a mixture of fresh greens, with the occasional bit of certain fruits, broccoli head's and nasturtium flowers. He loves cucumber and will eat as much of it as he is given. I've also added a general supplement to his food.
I don't think he was ever really bathed. He wheezes when he breathes which concerns me as I've read up about it and as far as I understand it can indicate respiratory problems. He has signs of calcium deficiency in his shell and two little grazes on his shell from a dog scratch (previous owners).
He's never had access to a water bath, he's had access to water to drink. Now he has both but doesn't seem interested.
He's currently in an enclosure in the garden with access to shade, grass, fresh food bowl, drinking water and a water bath, and a few toys.
Do I need to must him or bathe him? How do you make sure they're hydrated? I've read about it but couldn't quite understand what's the right thing to do. I don't want to shock him by suddenly changing too much in his life.
Any advice, tips totally welcome.
He was (with previous owners) on a diet of grazing on grass, cucumber and no joke frosties cereal with milk and tea with 2 sugars!
I'm currently trying to find out what healthy foods he likes by feeding him a mixture of fresh greens, with the occasional bit of certain fruits, broccoli head's and nasturtium flowers. He loves cucumber and will eat as much of it as he is given. I've also added a general supplement to his food.
I don't think he was ever really bathed. He wheezes when he breathes which concerns me as I've read up about it and as far as I understand it can indicate respiratory problems. He has signs of calcium deficiency in his shell and two little grazes on his shell from a dog scratch (previous owners).
He's never had access to a water bath, he's had access to water to drink. Now he has both but doesn't seem interested.
He's currently in an enclosure in the garden with access to shade, grass, fresh food bowl, drinking water and a water bath, and a few toys.
Do I need to must him or bathe him? How do you make sure they're hydrated? I've read about it but couldn't quite understand what's the right thing to do. I don't want to shock him by suddenly changing too much in his life.
Any advice, tips totally welcome.