- Joined
- Dec 16, 2011
- Messages
- 5
Hi everyone! Yep, I'm another noob with tons of questions. I have been doing some research but hoping for a few pointers.
I was just given a golden greek tortoise. Unfortunately, from everything I have been reading on here and on the Tortoise Trust website, the setup they gave me for him is dreadfully inadequate.
These are the things I know I need to fix:
*Add calcium and vitamin D3 powder to his diet
*Give him more "wild" greens (not the romaine he has been living on)
*Ideally, I would like to get some plants growing in his enclosure
*Add light with UVA and UVB wave lengths
*Add a more adequate heating source in the enclosure and a thermostat control
*change enclosure from a vivarium to something more appropriate (this one might be a little bit until my husband can make me something)
*change the substrate from wood chippy things to soil mixture
*get the water dragon roommate a suitable new home (he came with him)
*in the summer we will definitely have some outdoor time. Unfortunately, it is winter in Northern Michigan and I'm quite certain he doesn't like below freezing temperatures or snow
Now with the questions
*What am I to do about the snot bubbles?
*Am I supposed to be able to hear him breath?
*What else, if anything, can I do about his undershell issue? It sure doesn't look right.
*Are you supposed to trim their nails?
*Is there any way to tell how old he is?
*Does it hurt more to stress him by changing everything at once or should I change things out a little bit slowly? (like say over a couple weeks)
*Any major things I have forgotten to mention above that need some serious attention?
Sorry for this being so lengthy. Thank you everyone in advance for your help.
I was just given a golden greek tortoise. Unfortunately, from everything I have been reading on here and on the Tortoise Trust website, the setup they gave me for him is dreadfully inadequate.
These are the things I know I need to fix:
*Add calcium and vitamin D3 powder to his diet
*Give him more "wild" greens (not the romaine he has been living on)
*Ideally, I would like to get some plants growing in his enclosure
*Add light with UVA and UVB wave lengths
*Add a more adequate heating source in the enclosure and a thermostat control
*change enclosure from a vivarium to something more appropriate (this one might be a little bit until my husband can make me something)
*change the substrate from wood chippy things to soil mixture
*get the water dragon roommate a suitable new home (he came with him)
*in the summer we will definitely have some outdoor time. Unfortunately, it is winter in Northern Michigan and I'm quite certain he doesn't like below freezing temperatures or snow
Now with the questions
*What am I to do about the snot bubbles?
*Am I supposed to be able to hear him breath?
*What else, if anything, can I do about his undershell issue? It sure doesn't look right.
*Are you supposed to trim their nails?
*Is there any way to tell how old he is?
*Does it hurt more to stress him by changing everything at once or should I change things out a little bit slowly? (like say over a couple weeks)
*Any major things I have forgotten to mention above that need some serious attention?
Sorry for this being so lengthy. Thank you everyone in advance for your help.