- Joined
- Oct 14, 2012
- Messages
- 3
I've had my tortoise for a year and a half, and I love him to death, but I feel like I'm not giving him a proper home. He used to live in a glass enclosure, with a heat lamp, then he switched to a metal bar enclosure, and now hes in a little turtle shaped plastic tub children use for swimming. (It's fairly sized I don't think he minds)
Anyway, I work 11 hours every night, and when I'm not working I'm always asleep or really busy. I don't take him outside anymore to play, and I can't always find time to hold him (He runs away anyway). I used to think that he thought I was his mommy, (I got him when he was only a few months or something) and he used to fall asleep on me. Now he runs whenever I hold him or try giving him affection. My mom says it's because he's being "rebellious" because he wants to find a mate, but I don't know.
Recently, I've noticed that my tortoise has begin "croaking." Making noises that sound like a frog or a duck, and I looked it up and I'm worried. I'm not giving him any kind of calcium or anything. I don't even know for sure if he likes his enclosure. The only thing he'll ACTUALLY eat is iceberg lettuce. I know it's really bad for him and has no nutrient value but he won't even touch romaine lettuce, or spinach or anything. I've tried other types of food that are like pellets for tortoises but he wont do that either. His enclosure is nothing but hay, a little hut, and his water dish. (which he hardly touches)
I love my tortoise, I love him a lot. It would be hard to give him up.. But I just want him to be happy. I worry about him and I'm not too sure what to do... Would it be responsible of me to give him to a better home? How would I go about FINDING another home, preferably with a professional who can provide him with all the kinds of love, and proper health requirements that he needs?
Anyway, I work 11 hours every night, and when I'm not working I'm always asleep or really busy. I don't take him outside anymore to play, and I can't always find time to hold him (He runs away anyway). I used to think that he thought I was his mommy, (I got him when he was only a few months or something) and he used to fall asleep on me. Now he runs whenever I hold him or try giving him affection. My mom says it's because he's being "rebellious" because he wants to find a mate, but I don't know.
Recently, I've noticed that my tortoise has begin "croaking." Making noises that sound like a frog or a duck, and I looked it up and I'm worried. I'm not giving him any kind of calcium or anything. I don't even know for sure if he likes his enclosure. The only thing he'll ACTUALLY eat is iceberg lettuce. I know it's really bad for him and has no nutrient value but he won't even touch romaine lettuce, or spinach or anything. I've tried other types of food that are like pellets for tortoises but he wont do that either. His enclosure is nothing but hay, a little hut, and his water dish. (which he hardly touches)
I love my tortoise, I love him a lot. It would be hard to give him up.. But I just want him to be happy. I worry about him and I'm not too sure what to do... Would it be responsible of me to give him to a better home? How would I go about FINDING another home, preferably with a professional who can provide him with all the kinds of love, and proper health requirements that he needs?