Rescued Herman’s Tortoise help & advice please

Joined
Jun 14, 2020
Messages
32
Location (City and/or State)
Oakland, CA
Lettuce everyday for sure, she loves it! Also cress she munches that every day to, she like cucumber and tomatoes as well but her favourite has got to be strawberries, she looks like hannable lector once she’s finished with it ? lately I have been letting her out in the garden and she eats the dandelions but it’s a rare occasion as I live in the UK and the weather isn’t always great, I will have to try papaya I think, she only eats fruit maybe every couple of weeks as it’s quite acidic, what temp is your table at, Shelly is 80 at the cool end and 90/95 at the basking end, her temp is actually running off the temp from my rankins dragon set up above, her tank is bigger so it actually worked out ok, before she didn’t have any regulation at with her previous owners and was in 100 heat all day and night
It's about 95˚ in the basking spot and 75˚ on the coolest end. I have a heating pad under some substrate in the upper level hide which keeps it in the high seventies to low eighties. I turn everything down a little bit in summer months because of how hot it gets here.
 

KarenSoCal

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 8, 2017
Messages
5,750
Location (City and/or State)
Low desert 50 mi SE of Palm Springs CA
I would strongly recommend that you do NOT put earthworms in her soil. The reason for this is because of the soil itself.

Soil that is commercially available is made of composted greenery of any kind. You have no way to know what's in it...toxic plants or trees, chemicals from yard care, etc. Also, soil is an impaction risk if Shelly eats it. She would eat a bunch of it eating worms.

It sounds like you may be adding too much calcium to her diet. Calcium is necessary for torts for their shells and bones, but too much inhibits the absorption of other minerals. She should only get a small pinch of it 2x/week.

Along with the absorption issue, far more fault for pyramiding was a dry start when she was a hatchling. At this point in her life, the only thing you can do about pyramiding is make sure new growth comes in smooth. The damage that is already done cannot be undone.

The ping pong ball, though cute to watch, has nothing to do with play. Tortoises don't play. The ball is perceived by the tort as an intruder in its territory. Intruders are to be driven out, so he pushes (bullies) the ball. Instead of playing, "toys" are stressing the tortoise.

The foods being fed above are not good for tortoises. They need lots of fiber and moderate plant protein. Most tortoise species do not have the ability in their guts to process sugars. In fact, too much sugar can mess up their GI tract and make them quite ill. A tiny slice of strawberry or melon can be given as a rare treat once a month, but why? Most torts love safe flowers, so give a hibiscus flower, or some rose petals, or something else that's good that she doesn't get often.

Please read the care sheet I linked in post # 2. Shelly has had a terrible life so far. I know you really love her, so read that and learn what's good for her and what isn't.

Here is a very long list of good tortoise foods. Something in it will make an excellent treat.

Compiled by Tom: Good foods for tortoises are "chicories," types of lettuce that are likely to be on the far side of the more common floppy green heads of lettuce most people buy. Anything labeled as simply "chicory" is good, as are radiccio, frisee, escarole, and endive; you might even find something labeled as dandelions. You may find a bag of "Spring" or "Spicy" mix that is good, just check the label to be sure it has some of the chicories I just mentioned. The leaves (just the leaves) of turnips and radishes are also good, as are carrot tops. Collards, mustard greens, bok choy, and other dark, leafy greens are okay as well. If you have any kind of Mexican/hispanic market near you, they will sell cactus, labeled "nopales." Cactus is a great food to rotate in the diet, as it is high in calcium. You don't need to feed all of these at one time, just make sure your tortoise is getting access to different types of food. As you get more experienced, you can find the better types of food listed on the care sheets. Here are a whole bunch of non-grocery store suggestions. Mulberry leaves Grape vine leaves Hibiscus leaves African hibiscus leaves Blue hibiscus leaves Rose of Sharon leaves Rose leaves Geraniums Gazanias Nasturtium Lavatera Pansies Petunias Hostas Honeysuckle Cape honeysuckle Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc... Young spineless opuntia cactus pads Weeds: There are soooooooo many... Dandelion Mallow Filaree Smooth Sow thistle Prickly Sow thistle Milk thistle Goat head weed Cats ear Nettles Trefoil Wild onion Wild mustard Wild Garlic Clovers Broadleaf plantain Narrow leaf plantain Chick weed Hawksbit Hensbit Hawksbeard Other good stuff: "Testudo Seed Mix" from http://www.tortoisesupply.com/SeedMixes Pasture mixes or other seeds from http://www.groworganic.com/seeds.html Homegrown alfalfa Mazuri Tortoise Chow ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food Ones that you can buy in every store: Arugula Lambs lettuce Chicory Kale Mustard greens Organic kohlrabi leafs Organic carrot leafs Organic radish leafs Dandelions Radiccio Their main diet should be broad leaf weeds, succulents and grasses. Store bought foods are okay, but not the best. Collards and dandelions are a good food, but neither should be used every day. Check out the plant ID section for lots of ideas on weeds to feed. You can get spineless opuntia cactus pads from most Mexican grocery stores, or grow them yourself. You can also easily grow grape leaves, african hibiscus, regular hibiscus (if it will survive in your area), and mulberry leaves. You can try red apple, ice plant, and jade plant too. Also look into Gazania, pansies, nasturtiums, carnations, geraniums and many others. At the grocery store, favor endive and escarole, but also use cilantro, carrot tops, mustard and turnip greens, bok choy, radiccio, swiss chard, watercress, parsley, all the lettuces, etc. Lots of variety is best. There are also tortoise "weed" seed mixes that you can grow. I like the "Testudo Mix" from Tortoisesupply.com. Buckwheat; cactus; vetch; Mohave aster; creosote bush; desert four o’clock; tacoma stans; bladderpod; globe mallow; goldenhead; burro weed; so many things!
 
Joined
Jun 14, 2020
Messages
32
Location (City and/or State)
Oakland, CA
I would strongly recommend that you do NOT put earthworms in her soil. The reason for this is because of the soil itself.

Soil that is commercially available is made of composted greenery of any kind. You have no way to know what's in it...toxic plants or trees, chemicals from yard care, etc. Also, soil is an impaction risk if Shelly eats it. She would eat a bunch of it eating worms.

It sounds like you may be adding too much calcium to her diet. Calcium is necessary for torts for their shells and bones, but too much inhibits the absorption of other minerals. She should only get a small pinch of it 2x/week.

Along with the absorption issue, far more fault for pyramiding was a dry start when she was a hatchling. At this point in her life, the only thing you can do about pyramiding is make sure new growth comes in smooth. The damage that is already done cannot be undone.

The ping pong ball, though cute to watch, has nothing to do with play. Tortoises don't play. The ball is perceived by the tort as an intruder in its territory. Intruders are to be driven out, so he pushes (bullies) the ball. Instead of playing, "toys" are stressing the tortoise.

The foods being fed above are not good for tortoises. They need lots of fiber and moderate plant protein. Most tortoise species do not have the ability in their guts to process sugars. In fact, too much sugar can mess up their GI tract and make them quite ill. A tiny slice of strawberry or melon can be given as a rare treat once a month, but why? Most torts love safe flowers, so give a hibiscus flower, or some rose petals, or something else that's good that she doesn't get often.

Please read the care sheet I linked in post # 2. Shelly has had a terrible life so far. I know you really love her, so read that and learn what's good for her and what isn't.

Here is a very long list of good tortoise foods. Something in it will make an excellent treat.

Compiled by Tom: Good foods for tortoises are "chicories," types of lettuce that are likely to be on the far side of the more common floppy green heads of lettuce most people buy. Anything labeled as simply "chicory" is good, as are radiccio, frisee, escarole, and endive; you might even find something labeled as dandelions. You may find a bag of "Spring" or "Spicy" mix that is good, just check the label to be sure it has some of the chicories I just mentioned. The leaves (just the leaves) of turnips and radishes are also good, as are carrot tops. Collards, mustard greens, bok choy, and other dark, leafy greens are okay as well. If you have any kind of Mexican/hispanic market near you, they will sell cactus, labeled "nopales." Cactus is a great food to rotate in the diet, as it is high in calcium. You don't need to feed all of these at one time, just make sure your tortoise is getting access to different types of food. As you get more experienced, you can find the better types of food listed on the care sheets. Here are a whole bunch of non-grocery store suggestions. Mulberry leaves Grape vine leaves Hibiscus leaves African hibiscus leaves Blue hibiscus leaves Rose of Sharon leaves Rose leaves Geraniums Gazanias Nasturtium Lavatera Pansies Petunias Hostas Honeysuckle Cape honeysuckle Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc... Young spineless opuntia cactus pads Weeds: There are soooooooo many... Dandelion Mallow Filaree Smooth Sow thistle Prickly Sow thistle Milk thistle Goat head weed Cats ear Nettles Trefoil Wild onion Wild mustard Wild Garlic Clovers Broadleaf plantain Narrow leaf plantain Chick weed Hawksbit Hensbit Hawksbeard Other good stuff: "Testudo Seed Mix" from http://www.tortoisesupply.com/SeedMixes Pasture mixes or other seeds from http://www.groworganic.com/seeds.html Homegrown alfalfa Mazuri Tortoise Chow ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food Ones that you can buy in every store: Arugula Lambs lettuce Chicory Kale Mustard greens Organic kohlrabi leafs Organic carrot leafs Organic radish leafs Dandelions Radiccio Their main diet should be broad leaf weeds, succulents and grasses. Store bought foods are okay, but not the best. Collards and dandelions are a good food, but neither should be used every day. Check out the plant ID section for lots of ideas on weeds to feed. You can get spineless opuntia cactus pads from most Mexican grocery stores, or grow them yourself. You can also easily grow grape leaves, african hibiscus, regular hibiscus (if it will survive in your area), and mulberry leaves. You can try red apple, ice plant, and jade plant too. Also look into Gazania, pansies, nasturtiums, carnations, geraniums and many others. At the grocery store, favor endive and escarole, but also use cilantro, carrot tops, mustard and turnip greens, bok choy, radiccio, swiss chard, watercress, parsley, all the lettuces, etc. Lots of variety is best. There are also tortoise "weed" seed mixes that you can grow. I like the "Testudo Mix" from Tortoisesupply.com. Buckwheat; cactus; vetch; Mohave aster; creosote bush; desert four o’clock; tacoma stans; bladderpod; globe mallow; goldenhead; burro weed; so many things!
Is that true about ping pong balls? My tortoise always brings them into his hide. I had assumed he liked them. Good to know...
 

Neil W

New Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
22
Location (City and/or State)
Northampton
I would strongly recommend that you do NOT put earthworms in her soil. The reason for this is because of the soil itself.

Soil that is commercially available is made of composted greenery of any kind. You have no way to know what's in it...toxic plants or trees, chemicals from yard care, etc. Also, soil is an impaction risk if Shelly eats it. She would eat a bunch of it eating worms.

It sounds like you may be adding too much calcium to her diet. Calcium is necessary for torts for their shells and bones, but too much inhibits the absorption of other minerals. She should only get a small pinch of it 2x/week.

Along with the absorption issue, far more fault for pyramiding was a dry start when she was a hatchling. At this point in her life, the only thing you can do about pyramiding is make sure new growth comes in smooth. The damage that is already done cannot be undone.

The ping pong ball, though cute to watch, has nothing to do with play. Tortoises don't play. The ball is perceived by the tort as an intruder in its territory. Intruders are to be driven out, so he pushes (bullies) the ball. Instead of playing, "toys" are stressing the tortoise.

The foods being fed above are not good for tortoises. They need lots of fiber and moderate plant protein. Most tortoise species do not have the ability in their guts to process sugars. In fact, too much sugar can mess up their GI tract and make them quite ill. A tiny slice of strawberry or melon can be given as a rare treat once a month, but why? Most torts love safe flowers, so give a hibiscus flower, or some rose petals, or something else that's good that she doesn't get often.

Please read the care sheet I linked in post # 2. Shelly has had a terrible life so far. I know you really love her, so read that and learn what's good for her and what isn't.

Here is a very long list of good tortoise foods. Something in it will make an excellent treat.

Compiled by Tom: Good foods for tortoises are "chicories," types of lettuce that are likely to be on the far side of the more common floppy green heads of lettuce most people buy. Anything labeled as simply "chicory" is good, as are radiccio, frisee, escarole, and endive; you might even find something labeled as dandelions. You may find a bag of "Spring" or "Spicy" mix that is good, just check the label to be sure it has some of the chicories I just mentioned. The leaves (just the leaves) of turnips and radishes are also good, as are carrot tops. Collards, mustard greens, bok choy, and other dark, leafy greens are okay as well. If you have any kind of Mexican/hispanic market near you, they will sell cactus, labeled "nopales." Cactus is a great food to rotate in the diet, as it is high in calcium. You don't need to feed all of these at one time, just make sure your tortoise is getting access to different types of food. As you get more experienced, you can find the better types of food listed on the care sheets. Here are a whole bunch of non-grocery store suggestions. Mulberry leaves Grape vine leaves Hibiscus leaves African hibiscus leaves Blue hibiscus leaves Rose of Sharon leaves Rose leaves Geraniums Gazanias Nasturtium Lavatera Pansies Petunias Hostas Honeysuckle Cape honeysuckle Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc... Young spineless opuntia cactus pads Weeds: There are soooooooo many... Dandelion Mallow Filaree Smooth Sow thistle Prickly Sow thistle Milk thistle Goat head weed Cats ear Nettles Trefoil Wild onion Wild mustard Wild Garlic Clovers Broadleaf plantain Narrow leaf plantain Chick weed Hawksbit Hensbit Hawksbeard Other good stuff: "Testudo Seed Mix" from http://www.tortoisesupply.com/SeedMixes Pasture mixes or other seeds from http://www.groworganic.com/seeds.html Homegrown alfalfa Mazuri Tortoise Chow ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food Ones that you can buy in every store: Arugula Lambs lettuce Chicory Kale Mustard greens Organic kohlrabi leafs Organic carrot leafs Organic radish leafs Dandelions Radiccio Their main diet should be broad leaf weeds, succulents and grasses. Store bought foods are okay, but not the best. Collards and dandelions are a good food, but neither should be used every day. Check out the plant ID section for lots of ideas on weeds to feed. You can get spineless opuntia cactus pads from most Mexican grocery stores, or grow them yourself. You can also easily grow grape leaves, african hibiscus, regular hibiscus (if it will survive in your area), and mulberry leaves. You can try red apple, ice plant, and jade plant too. Also look into Gazania, pansies, nasturtiums, carnations, geraniums and many others. At the grocery store, favor endive and escarole, but also use cilantro, carrot tops, mustard and turnip greens, bok choy, radiccio, swiss chard, watercress, parsley, all the lettuces, etc. Lots of variety is best. There are also tortoise "weed" seed mixes that you can grow. I like the "Testudo Mix" from Tortoisesupply.com. Buckwheat; cactus; vetch; Mohave aster; creosote bush; desert four o’clock; tacoma stans; bladderpod; globe mallow; goldenhead; burro weed; so many things!

Thank you so much, I will take on board your comments and change her diet immediately, as for the ping pong ball it will be removed as well. Would you say looking at her pictures that she looks healthy or should I take her to the vets for a check up?
Thanks again
 

KarenSoCal

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 8, 2017
Messages
5,750
Location (City and/or State)
Low desert 50 mi SE of Palm Springs CA
Is that true about ping pong balls? My tortoise always brings them into his hide. I had assumed he liked them. Good to know...
There are lots of manifestations of bullying that we see as cute, when actually it is a power play struggle that is happening. I am surprised that he brings the ball inside. When 2 torts sleep against each other, it is demonstrating one trying to take over the best sleeping place. Well, maybe you have an exception to the general observation. Somebody else will come by and maybe give their impression.
 
Joined
Jun 14, 2020
Messages
32
Location (City and/or State)
Oakland, CA
There are lots of manifestations of bullying that we see as cute, when actually it is a power play struggle that is happening. I am surprised that he brings the ball inside. When 2 torts sleep against each other, it is demonstrating one trying to take over the best sleeping place. Well, maybe you have an exception to the general observation. Somebody else will come by and maybe give their impression.
I might as well remove it, why chance stressing him out? Thanks!
 

KarenSoCal

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 8, 2017
Messages
5,750
Location (City and/or State)
Low desert 50 mi SE of Palm Springs CA
Thank you so much, I will take on board your comments and change her diet immediately, as for the ping pong ball it will be removed as well. Would you say looking at her pictures that she looks healthy or should I take her to the vets for a check up?
Thanks again
I think she looks remarkably healthy. She's eating, drinking, pooping, peeing...they are the 4 main issues.
Have you noticed any urates in her urine? If not, that's great!
Most of us try to avoid vet visits unless it is absolutely necessary. Sadly, most vets don't know how to care for torts, unless you find an exotics vet. It's a good idea to do that, too. If the need ever arises, it's good to already be set up with someone who knows what he's doing.
 

Neil W

New Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
22
Location (City and/or State)
Northampton
I think she looks remarkably healthy. She's eating, drinking, pooping, peeing...they are the 4 main issues.
Have you noticed any urates in her urine? If not, that's great!
Most of us try to avoid vet visits unless it is absolutely necessary. Sadly, most vets don't know how to care for torts, unless you find an exotics vet. It's a good idea to do that, too. If the need ever arises, it's good to already be set up with someone who knows what he's doing.
I am happy to hear that!! Nothing in her urine and she poops really well when I put her in the bath. I think I will amend her diet and everything should be fine, hopefully I can stop worrying now ?
 

Ink

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Messages
2,455
Location (City and/or State)
Virginia
When I rescued my Hermann I just brought his poop to the vet for a parasite test. He was loaded, then I had to bring him in to get weighed for medicine. Once I finished giving him his meds, I bought his poop back to get retested. He is parasite free. He to was in very poor conditions. Very cute and good luck!
 

Neil W

New Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
22
Location (City and/or State)
Northampton
When I rescued my Hermann I just brought his poop to the vet for a parasite test. He was loaded, then I had to bring him in to get weighed for medicine. Once I finished giving him his meds, I bought his poop back to get retested. He is parasite free. He to was in very poor conditions. Very cute and good luck!
Other then the test were there any tell tell signs that your tort had any parasites?
 

Crush da Baum

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2020
Messages
544
Location (City and/or State)
Brooksville
Other then the test were there any tell tell signs that your tort had any parasites?
He will be more lethargic, loose weight, and in very bad cases you can actually see the worms in his poop. Best to just get him tested if you suspect anything before it gets worse.
 

Neil W

New Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
22
Location (City and/or State)
Northampton
He will be more lethargic, loose weight, and in very bad cases you can actually see the worms in his poop. Best to just get him tested if you suspect anything before it gets worse.
Ah ok, I can honestly say she is nothing like that, she’s full of life, eats, sleeps, poops and urinates alll fine
 

Ink

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Messages
2,455
Location (City and/or State)
Virginia
He was really thin, but ate well and lots of pyramiding. I could see little dots all in his poop. It was a precaution because I didn't want to accidentally get one of my other tortoises sick. (None of them are together ever). When he did go to the vet they said he was emaciated. I have always tested my tortoises poop. None of the others ever had problems. Good luck so cute is that a western?
 

Neil W

New Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
22
Location (City and/or State)
Northampton
He was really thin, but ate well and lots of pyramiding. I could see little dots all in his poop. It was a precaution because I didn't want to accidentally get one of my other tortoises sick. (None of them are together ever). When he did go to the vet they said he was emaciated. I have always tested my tortoises poop. None of the others ever had problems. Good luck so cute is that a western?
I may go get her checked out then just to be on the safe side, she is a Herman’s tortoise, she has a lovely character, very interactive and does not mind being handled, she manly zooms around her tank or the floor all day tho, I have a rankins dragon on the viv above however they do not know each other are there and have never used the same equipment in either tank, if it does continue to go well with Shelly I may be interested in getting another one, however I do already have 4 cats 2 of which are a Bengal and a savannah so I’ve got my hands full as it is haha
 

Ink

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Messages
2,455
Location (City and/or State)
Virginia
Like I said I did poop test first ( without the tortoise). Then he had to go in for medicine. I was very concerned about stressing him out. Is she an Eastern Hermann or Western Hermann tortoise?
 

Neil W

New Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
22
Location (City and/or State)
Northampton
Like I said I did poop test first ( without the tortoise). Then he had to go in for medicine. I was very concerned about stressing him out. Is she an Eastern Hermann or Western Hermann tortoise?
I’m not sure? How would I be able to tell? Did you take that to a normal vet or was it an exotic vet?
 

Ink

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Messages
2,455
Location (City and/or State)
Virginia
My vet does exotics , but if I had a serious problem I would take him downtown to an animal hospital that does exotic. They ship out the poop out to get tested.

I have one of each an Eastern and a Western. I was confused with my eastern, I thought he could be a Dalmatian. I was wrong. Take pictures of the top of her shell and the tummy, so the band's can be seen.
 

Ink

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jun 10, 2016
Messages
2,455
Location (City and/or State)
Virginia
The smaller one is Gilbert my Western, and Miss.Dexter Persimmons is my rescued Eastern Hermann. Yes there is a barrier between them they never saw each other. Gilbert is 3 yrs. Old and Miss. Dexter Persimmons is about 5 years old. MVIMG_20200606_144731.jpg
 

New Posts

Top