Tuxy's temporary tank

[Heather H]

Hi these are pics of Tuxy's temporary home. I am getting things to build him a bigger inside home. Please remember I have only had him for 5 days. The plants are from an organic gardener . I still washed and replanted them all in tropical soil. we have started him his own garden. 9 different plants and a flat of mixed greens.

 

[leigti]

Looks good. Having a tortoise turns you into a gardener if you weren't before

 

[tortdad]

Looks good. I can't tell how deep the substraight is. They like to dig so if you can make it like 5" deep he'll like it more. Also sink that water dish into the soil so it's flush with the substraight. Nice temp set up

 

[Heather H]

Side where the water and food dish is about 2 inches then it goes to 6 inches on the side with the primrose . The middle has 1/2 log hide. Thank you going to add more substrate on left side. Trying to see what he likes best. So far he like the coco the best

 

[Jodie]

You did a good job. I really like enclosures with plants in them.

 

[Heather H]

Thank you. I added another block of coco. He is loving it. He has not eaten the plants but he has investigated them . And pushed on them. At the pet store he had fake plants in his enclosure.

 

[leigti]

You did a good job. I really like enclosures with plants in them.

Me too. I'm always suggesting that people put more plants in the enclosure.

 

[Heather H]

Hard to find this time of year in ohio.

 

[leigti]

You can use herbs and plants. The tortoise won't eat them but it makes it look pretty in there.

 

[Heather H]

I'm trying to get him to eat anything but the freeze dried stuff they fed him. I have bunch of stuff that I started today. It seems like this guy is my whole life now

 

[leigti]

When I first got my Russian she was very reluctant to eat new things. but it didn't take long to get her to try new things. Although it did take her a year and a half to decide that she liked dandelions I guess she never read the book that said it was their favorite food. now she takes to new things pretty easily, especially if I hand feed it to her the first couple times. and don't be discouraged if they don't eat it the first time. Try it the next day and the next day after that and you might be surprised when they start eating it like crazy.

 

[Heather H]

He ate radichio (sp. ? ), kale and spring mix today. I was so excited.

 

[tortdad]

He ate radichio (sp. ? ), kale and spring mix today. I was so excited.

Make sure you take the spinach out of the spring mix before you give it to him. Also only feed the kale every now and then. They have something in them that binds to calcium and prevents your tort from absorbing the calcium. Kale is very high in calcium so it's good as a every now and then treat, just not as a staple food. Never feed the spinach

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Try to get him off radicchio, slowly too It's so nice he ate something!
It looks a tiny bit dryer in there? Try wetting the chips and misting

 

[Heather H]

It's very wet on the right side with now 7 inches of substrate. Left size is dryer with 2-3 inches of mulch. Should I make the whole enclosure wet and 5-7 inches? Right now I have to rely on store bought organic greens. Until testudo blend is available . What are your favorites? I don't give him spinach, iceberg or parsley. I have tried kale, mustard greens, collard greens, oregano, cilantro, radichio , beet and carrot tops, prim rose flowers, carrots, zucchini, banana ( a tiny piece ), tomato, I'm sure I missed something . He was on the dehydrated fruit and veggie mix. I have switched to the all veggie one. Vet said to keep him on the dried (wetted down) and add fresh small am out at time. He pics out the green beans and peas. I pick out the corn. I tried frozen peas (thawed) he ignored them. All comments good or bad are appreciated . Thank you all Heather

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Your substrate sounds great, it's so nice to have varience
Escarole and endive are two favorite mine never pass up.
Sounds like it might be time for the 'tough love' policy. Keep fresh, healthy greens in his bowl 24/7, and don't give him any unhealthy things (like his old fruit mix he had before) I know this sounds terrible, but tortoises won't starve themselves! He'll finally stop begging for his mix, and start eating the greens.
Works for tortoises everywhere

 

[Heather H]

Your substrate sounds great, it's so nice to have varience
Escarole and endive are two favorite mine never pass up.
Sounds like it might be time for the 'tough love' policy. Keep fresh, healthy greens in his bowl 24/7, and don't give him any unhealthy things (like his old fruit mix he had before) I know this sounds terrible, but tortoises won't starve themselves! He'll finally stop begging for his mix, and start eating the greens.
Works for tortoises everywhere

Thank you. Guess I'm going to whole foods again lol such a chore it's a whole 5 minutes away . I'm kidding but really I need a second fridge.

 

[Prairie Mom]

Hi Heather Love your enclosure so far! I just thought I'd offer up another view on Spinach to consider. Here's a good thread about it...http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/spinach-it-is-not-as-bad-as-you-may-think.35806/

 

[Heather H]

Hi Heather Love your enclosure so far! I just thought I'd offer up another view on Spinach to consider. Here's a good thread about it...http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/spinach-it-is-not-as-bad-as-you-may-think.35806/

Thank you. Read the thread := ) . I will add small amounts when I get him on a more varied diet.

 

[Heather H]

@Yvonne G this is tuxy's home.