- Joined
- Jul 17, 2016
- Messages
- 10
Hi, I'm currently living in Saudi and have recently adopted 3 tortoises from a family moving on. We assume that all 3 are desert tortoises, 2 males (small) and 1 female (larger). All 3 have been brought up on a diet of lettuce, cucumber, carrots & tomatoes. Since we have had them they no longer have any of that food and I pick fresh dandelions, grasses, desert honeysuckle leaves & flowers, spurges & mustard greens (shop bought). I'm thinking about order some TLady tortoise seed mix from Herbiseed - Would this be a good thing?
Our first is Punk, he is very active, drinks & eats well (fresh water is out every day in a large sunken flowerpot saucer). His shell is flaky in parts but no sign of pyramiding. He also goes to the toilet regularly. We have had him a few months.
The other 2 are George and Izzie who we got a few days ago. Izzie's shell looks healthy (to my untrained eye), she is active (slower than Punk) and eats & drinks well. I've not seen her go to the toilet so can't comment there. George on the other hand is in a sorry state. His shell is very damaged and its dark (previous owners had been coating in with olive oil). He also has a weak back leg so he almost hobbles along and today I've noticed that he tucks one of his front legs in and out...almost like he is trying to scratch his ear like a dog would but his leg goes up, over and inside his shell (not sure if any of that makes sense!?!)
The previous owner had a dog who used to grab George so I'm wondering if this is the cause of his shell damage. I've bathed George and given him a light brush with a toothbrush to try and remove some of the oil. He is nibbling but not eating a lot (that I've noticed).
Sorry for the long post, I just wanted to say "Hello" and introduce my torts!
Our first is Punk, he is very active, drinks & eats well (fresh water is out every day in a large sunken flowerpot saucer). His shell is flaky in parts but no sign of pyramiding. He also goes to the toilet regularly. We have had him a few months.
The other 2 are George and Izzie who we got a few days ago. Izzie's shell looks healthy (to my untrained eye), she is active (slower than Punk) and eats & drinks well. I've not seen her go to the toilet so can't comment there. George on the other hand is in a sorry state. His shell is very damaged and its dark (previous owners had been coating in with olive oil). He also has a weak back leg so he almost hobbles along and today I've noticed that he tucks one of his front legs in and out...almost like he is trying to scratch his ear like a dog would but his leg goes up, over and inside his shell (not sure if any of that makes sense!?!)
The previous owner had a dog who used to grab George so I'm wondering if this is the cause of his shell damage. I've bathed George and given him a light brush with a toothbrush to try and remove some of the oil. He is nibbling but not eating a lot (that I've noticed).
Sorry for the long post, I just wanted to say "Hello" and introduce my torts!
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