- Joined
- May 10, 2012
- Messages
- 62
About two weeks ago, the opportunity to adopt a pair of tortoises came up. A friend, who knew of our passion for turtles and tortoises forwarded us a link to the local SPCA shelter. Upon looking, we discovered what looked like a pair of young redfoots, from the picture. What was more shocking was that most of the people commenting on the picture was recommending that they release them into the wild. Well we discussed it and decided that tomorrow one of us will go and check them out. Well it is a good thing we went. The lovely people, bless their hearts, did not know either what they had nor how to care for them. But in all honestly, I don't think any sort of turtle or tortoise has ever come into their care, as they mostly deal with dogs and cats. But apparently they had an animal hoarder turn in a wide assortment of exotic animals, birds and such. What they had listed as a pair of Male Russian tortoises actually appeared to be a female Redfoot and a female Yellowfoot. Needless to say they came home with us and the amazing team at the SPCA seemed more then happy that they went home to someone who was somewhat knowledgeable.
(We currently had one hatchling Leopard tortoise, Rorschach or Rory for short, two Eastern Box Turtles, Lucy and Ethel and one very outgoing Home's Hingeback who is the clown of our family, Bowie, after the rock god David Bowie
)
Unfortunately these two girls, latter named Saffron and Jensen, have some health problems. Firstly, they had already developed pyramiding. Secondly, they both had some respiratory issue. Immediately they were put in a hospital tank with heat between 85 to 90 and humidity between 70 and 80. Soaking was done daily with bird multivitamins. They got onto a diet formulated for redfoots and yellowfoots after some research. These girls have a great appetite. I am happy to report the respiratory issues have almost disappeared.
We do however have a few lingering questions, being new to these species. The energy of the Yellowfoot is rather lacking when compared to Jensen the Redfoot. She is shy and reluctant, as I have learned her species is. But what is more worrying is their stance when they walk. They seem to wobble, though that seems to be better. We are unsure if this is due to lack of movement prior to us acquiring them, or if it has more to do with prior diet, which we can only speculate. Either way, I want these two to thrive and I was wondering if any advice could be given.
As well they do seem to have some gnarly looking toenails. In all honesty, I have no experience trimming nails, other then wrestling my Boxer to attempt to trim his.
Again any help would be more then appreciated.
(We currently had one hatchling Leopard tortoise, Rorschach or Rory for short, two Eastern Box Turtles, Lucy and Ethel and one very outgoing Home's Hingeback who is the clown of our family, Bowie, after the rock god David Bowie
)Unfortunately these two girls, latter named Saffron and Jensen, have some health problems. Firstly, they had already developed pyramiding. Secondly, they both had some respiratory issue. Immediately they were put in a hospital tank with heat between 85 to 90 and humidity between 70 and 80. Soaking was done daily with bird multivitamins. They got onto a diet formulated for redfoots and yellowfoots after some research. These girls have a great appetite. I am happy to report the respiratory issues have almost disappeared.
We do however have a few lingering questions, being new to these species. The energy of the Yellowfoot is rather lacking when compared to Jensen the Redfoot. She is shy and reluctant, as I have learned her species is. But what is more worrying is their stance when they walk. They seem to wobble, though that seems to be better. We are unsure if this is due to lack of movement prior to us acquiring them, or if it has more to do with prior diet, which we can only speculate. Either way, I want these two to thrive and I was wondering if any advice could be given.
As well they do seem to have some gnarly looking toenails. In all honesty, I have no experience trimming nails, other then wrestling my Boxer to attempt to trim his.
Again any help would be more then appreciated.
