Taco !! General Condition Questions

[Polli]

Hi Taco is now approximately 5 years old. We have had him for 4.5 years. He brumates each winter, outside in his little Den
from Mid Oct - Mid Feb.
He has his own area of 3m x 2.5m. With rocks, hills, tunnels, wild weeds and soil substrate. He lives alone
He loves to eat Raddish Tops, Romaine, a variety of garden weeds. And occasionally Apple, which he adores!
He's not a regular soaker (by choice) he simply walks through
his terracota Water Dish and out the other side.
He is a Herman/Greek I believe.
His weight today was 317 g. I am not sure if this is around what he/she should be?
I have included a few photos and would love to know whether anyone is able to confirm
Male or Female? And also if he appears healthy to the experts on here.

He certainly seems a happy chappy, he comes over for a head rub and under chin rub whenever we are near.
Any helpful comments would be MOST welcome!




Thanks for readine!

 

[Toddrickfl1]

Male IMO

 

[TeamZissou]

Taco is a Greek for sure. I would guess male as well.

 

[Polli]

Thanks guys!! Really appreciate your comments. Do you know if he will grow much bigger ? And is his ( thanks!!!???) weight ok for his age ?
I love this forum ? And really appreciate your knowledge and experience everyone

 

[TeamZissou]

He probably won't grow much bigger. I would lean toward the subspecies being Testudo graeca terrestris, and the males range 300-500 g. He looks good.

Here's more info:

Mesopotamian Tortoise | hermannihavenhome

www.hermannihaven.com

 

[Polli]

He probably won't grow much bigger. I would lean toward the subspecies being Testudo graeca terrestris, and the males range 300-500 g. He looks good.

Here's more info:

Mesopotamian Tortoise | hermannihavenhome

www.hermannihaven.com

Thank you so much for your answer and extra info!
????

 

[Tom]

Hibernating him out side is very risky. I wouldn't do that. Many die that way each year for a variety of reasons. Freezing, flooding, burrow collapse, rodents, etc...

317 sounds light for a tortoise of that size. Does he feel dense and heavy when you hold him? Or does he feel light and hollow?

You might need to soak him two or three times a week to make sure he's hydrated and to stimulate appetite. This is an especially good idea after hibernation. Use a tall sided opaque tub, and keep the water warm for the whole soak. 30-40 minutes. Water should come up to the point where the top and bottom shells meet. Don't worry about him trying to climb out. Its good exercise.

 

[Polli]

Hibernating him out side is very risky. I wouldn't do that. Many die that way each year for a variety of reasons. Freezing, flooding, burrow collapse, rodents, etc...

317 sounds light for a tortoise of that size. Does he feel dense and heavy when you hold him? Or does he feel light and hollow?

You might need to soak him two or three times a week to make sure he's hydrated and to stimulate appetite. This is an especially good idea after hibernation. Use a tall sided opaque tub, and keep the water warm for the whole soak. 30-40 minutes. Water should come up to the point where the top and bottom shells meet. Don't worry about him trying to climb out. Its good exercise.

Hi Tom I did wonder about his weight. He does feel solid and dense. I don’t think he does take on enough water though. I am right at this moment soaking him and knowing that the exercise is good for him, I won’t worry about him trying in vain to climb out!
I will order some weeds seeds so I can grow a better variety for him.
I’m not convinced that he has enough of a varied diet. ?He doesn’t seem to be interested in the grass in his enclosure. But as you say if I hydrate him more it may help his appetite?
i really do appreciate the advice. And I will reconsider the outside hibernation ??

 

[Tom]

Hi Tom I did wonder about his weight. He does feel solid and dense. I don’t think he does take on enough water though. I am right at this moment soaking him and knowing that the exercise is good for him, I won’t worry about him trying in vain to climb out!
I will order some weeds seeds so I can grow a better variety for him.
I’m not convinced that he has enough of a varied diet. ?He doesn’t seem to be interested in the grass in his enclosure. But as you say if I hydrate him more it may help his appetite?
i really do appreciate the advice. And I will reconsider the outside hibernation ??

This species isn't a grass eater, so it isn't a surprise that he doesn't eat it.

More variety is good, and growing it yourself is great!

There are section in here about feeding and outdoor housing that might be helpful to you:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

Questions and conversation are welcome!

 

[Polli]

This species isn't a grass eater, so it isn't a surprise that he doesn't eat it.

More variety is good, and growing it yourself is great!

There are section in here about feeding and outdoor housing that might be helpful to you:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

Questions and conversation are welcome!

So glad you told me they dont eat grass! I thought he was just being picky! ?
Love the info on the link - funnily enough I read this the other day too!.

I have made a list of things to buy - supplements, Testudo Seed Mix, and fine Orchid Grade Bark.

Thanks Again

This species isn't a grass eater, so it isn't a surprise that he doesn't eat it.

More variety is good, and growing it yourself is great!

There are section in here about feeding and outdoor housing that might be helpful to you:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

Questions and conversation are welcome!

Taco's bath, the water was up to the bottom of his Carapace, it seems shallower in the picture.
Thanks again Tom I appreciate your advice!