Surprise Elongated,
I found myself in a situation of angst that most tortoise/turtle lovers can relate to recently. My sister in law turned up with a juvenile elongated tortoise which she purchased while passing through a rural market. I was ill prepared to the arrival, but I just couldn’t say no.
At first the little female was shy, but didn’t seem too traumatised and no visible parasites or injuries. I got her to eat on the second day and now she has quite the appetite. In my opinion after handling her, she has gotten stronger over the few weeks I have be taking care of her, which I attribute to better diet and care. I put her in my pen area for quarantine purposes, as my two other torts Betty and Ernest (Manouria Impressa) have graduated from the pen and roam freely around the garden.
I am worried though, Impressa and Elongated’s range does overlap, but I am concerned that Ernest and my new tort might hybridise. I caught Ernest (spider tortoise) just as he managed to climb into the pen! I can only assume he was motivated by the scent of frisky endeavour.
So has anyone heard of Impressa and Elongated hybrids (a situation that I want to avoid)?
How old do you think she is and what is earliest possible age of sexual maturity?
Any advice for a name?
Cheers
Scruff
I found myself in a situation of angst that most tortoise/turtle lovers can relate to recently. My sister in law turned up with a juvenile elongated tortoise which she purchased while passing through a rural market. I was ill prepared to the arrival, but I just couldn’t say no.
At first the little female was shy, but didn’t seem too traumatised and no visible parasites or injuries. I got her to eat on the second day and now she has quite the appetite. In my opinion after handling her, she has gotten stronger over the few weeks I have be taking care of her, which I attribute to better diet and care. I put her in my pen area for quarantine purposes, as my two other torts Betty and Ernest (Manouria Impressa) have graduated from the pen and roam freely around the garden.
I am worried though, Impressa and Elongated’s range does overlap, but I am concerned that Ernest and my new tort might hybridise. I caught Ernest (spider tortoise) just as he managed to climb into the pen! I can only assume he was motivated by the scent of frisky endeavour.
So has anyone heard of Impressa and Elongated hybrids (a situation that I want to avoid)?
How old do you think she is and what is earliest possible age of sexual maturity?
Any advice for a name?
Cheers
Scruff