I moved into my roommate's house about 3 months ago, and he is an owner of the tortoise.
When I first moved in, I honestly knew nothing about tortoises, but I have taken a liking to this guy.
His name is still up in the air, but I am trying to make the name "Myles" stick.
I am coming here to write out of concern for Myles, as his health doesn't seem to be in the best condition.
The roommate made the mistake of getting a tortoise without doing thorough research, and is missing some key elements to stop pyramiding.
The situation is now at full attention, and we are making whatever changes necessary to help out the little buddy.
One of the main issues was that he was barely using his back legs. My guess is two combined reasons.
1) was in a slippery wood floored box with not enough "tortoise" flooring
2) it appears calcium is lacking in his diet, as he seemed weaker
He is fed romaine lettuce often, along with carrots. I also bought him a tortoise calcium cuttlebone, which he has taken a liking to.
In the summer when it's hot out, we let him walk around outside in the grass, and he loves life, chomping away like a lawnmower.
But there comes another issue, we live near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Where summer lasts 4 months at the most.
I am not sure if I should be concerned about his bed flooring either, as it is wood chips.
He does have a heat lamp, I am not sure if it is the correct type. But he is often by it, when it is on.
I guess if anyone can pinpoint some advice on this little guy, it would be greatly appreciated. I hope to see this little gaffer being alot more friendly, happy and healthy in the future!
I think I am destined to get my own tortoise when the time is right, and I should be well informed by then!
Thank you!
When I first moved in, I honestly knew nothing about tortoises, but I have taken a liking to this guy.
His name is still up in the air, but I am trying to make the name "Myles" stick.
I am coming here to write out of concern for Myles, as his health doesn't seem to be in the best condition.
The roommate made the mistake of getting a tortoise without doing thorough research, and is missing some key elements to stop pyramiding.
The situation is now at full attention, and we are making whatever changes necessary to help out the little buddy.
One of the main issues was that he was barely using his back legs. My guess is two combined reasons.
1) was in a slippery wood floored box with not enough "tortoise" flooring
2) it appears calcium is lacking in his diet, as he seemed weaker
He is fed romaine lettuce often, along with carrots. I also bought him a tortoise calcium cuttlebone, which he has taken a liking to.
In the summer when it's hot out, we let him walk around outside in the grass, and he loves life, chomping away like a lawnmower.
But there comes another issue, we live near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Where summer lasts 4 months at the most.
I am not sure if I should be concerned about his bed flooring either, as it is wood chips.
He does have a heat lamp, I am not sure if it is the correct type. But he is often by it, when it is on.
I guess if anyone can pinpoint some advice on this little guy, it would be greatly appreciated. I hope to see this little gaffer being alot more friendly, happy and healthy in the future!
I think I am destined to get my own tortoise when the time is right, and I should be well informed by then!
Thank you!