- Joined
- May 30, 2010
- Messages
- 393
Urtle... my sulcata tortoise
- Thread starter Urtle
- Start date
- Status
Ahhh she's adorable and I love her name! I must say, she really seems to be enjoying her bath, too cute!
Thanks for sharing your pictures with us!
Thanks for sharing your pictures with us!
Hi "Urtle" (may we know your name?):
Welcome to the forum!!
Welcome to the forum!!
Urtle is probably wondering why her bath is getting tiny these days 
Pretty girl!
Pretty girl!
Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of risks to adding another one. You'll need a quarantine pen for the new one for a while. Once you introduce them, they might not get along in which case you will have to have two permanent pens (my situation). You risk introducing a disease or parasite which could harm or kill Urtle. You risk outright bullying, or more subtle psychological bullying, which could be enough to stress either one of them out enough to make them sick or stop eating.
On the other hand, it might go just fine.
My question is: What is the benefit of getting another? They are solitary animals, even though they seem to tolerate each other in captivity most of the time. They don't need a friend and Urtle seems to be doing VERY well all by herself. Is it breeding? You are years away from that with her and that is a whole 'nother can 'o worms to open.
I'm not trying to talk you out of it. I would like to have a whole bunch more. I'm just trying to get you to really examine the pros and cons and really evaluate your motivations.
Either way, I'll support you and help you out whatever way I can.
Thanks for the pics on your first post!
On the other hand, it might go just fine.
My question is: What is the benefit of getting another? They are solitary animals, even though they seem to tolerate each other in captivity most of the time. They don't need a friend and Urtle seems to be doing VERY well all by herself. Is it breeding? You are years away from that with her and that is a whole 'nother can 'o worms to open.
I'm not trying to talk you out of it. I would like to have a whole bunch more. I'm just trying to get you to really examine the pros and cons and really evaluate your motivations.
Either way, I'll support you and help you out whatever way I can.
Thanks for the pics on your first post!
- Joined
- May 30, 2010
- Messages
- 393
emysemys said:
oops sorry im Ben... Southern California here
Tom said:
Hi Tom, thanks for the heads up. I never knew there would be so much consequences when making an addition. Now im reconsidering.
Just to get things straight, the quarantine pen is so they become familiar with eachother without actually contacting at first?
Also, im not sure i understand how any diseases would be transfered? Is it a matter of how healthy the new tortoise is?
I guess I have alot of thinking to do before I make my decision. Thank you soo sooo much for the help.
mightyclyde said:Urtle is probably wondering why her bath is getting tiny these days
Thank you, ive actually upgraded
now her bath has plenty of room.
Hi Ben. I'm up in Santa Clarita. How far are you from there?
The quarantine area needs to be set-up with at least six feet of air space between the pens. No utensils, bowls or equipment should be shared. There should be a complete set of everything for each pen. Disease can be transferred many ways. The two most common are physical contact and contact with contaminated feces. A lot of tortoises will actually eat each others poo.
The amount of time is to make sure that your new once isn't introducing any diseases (like respiratory disease, for example) or parasites to your existing tortoise. During this time you ought to run a fecal check on both the old and the new one at least twice and deal with any parasites you find. Locate a decent reptile vet in your area and they should only charge a small fee to run a fecal. Don't let them tell you you need an office visit and exam, unless you want to do those things just to be safe. It will establish a good relationship with your new vet and let him/her get to know you and your tortoises. This is a good thing to do, "just in case". The amount of time for your quarantine period is debatable. Some like to wait 6-9 months, to be extra safe. I think 3-4 weeks is enough. It also lets your new guy settle in and get used to the new routine and foods.
When (or IF) you do introduce them, I like to do it on neutral territory where neither tortoise has ever been. Maybe a neighbors yard or your front yard. Most of the time this goes fine but it gives you a chance to see how they interact under close supervision. Next I'd let the new one have a couple hours to explore the new territory without the resident present to bug him. Then, put the old one back and watch carefully. Sometimes they really don't care and just ignore each other. It helps if they each have their own food tray and a full belly. I know I'm less inclined to fight on a full stomach.
Hope this helps.
The quarantine area needs to be set-up with at least six feet of air space between the pens. No utensils, bowls or equipment should be shared. There should be a complete set of everything for each pen. Disease can be transferred many ways. The two most common are physical contact and contact with contaminated feces. A lot of tortoises will actually eat each others poo.
The amount of time is to make sure that your new once isn't introducing any diseases (like respiratory disease, for example) or parasites to your existing tortoise. During this time you ought to run a fecal check on both the old and the new one at least twice and deal with any parasites you find. Locate a decent reptile vet in your area and they should only charge a small fee to run a fecal. Don't let them tell you you need an office visit and exam, unless you want to do those things just to be safe. It will establish a good relationship with your new vet and let him/her get to know you and your tortoises. This is a good thing to do, "just in case". The amount of time for your quarantine period is debatable. Some like to wait 6-9 months, to be extra safe. I think 3-4 weeks is enough. It also lets your new guy settle in and get used to the new routine and foods.
When (or IF) you do introduce them, I like to do it on neutral territory where neither tortoise has ever been. Maybe a neighbors yard or your front yard. Most of the time this goes fine but it gives you a chance to see how they interact under close supervision. Next I'd let the new one have a couple hours to explore the new territory without the resident present to bug him. Then, put the old one back and watch carefully. Sometimes they really don't care and just ignore each other. It helps if they each have their own food tray and a full belly. I know I'm less inclined to fight on a full stomach.
Hope this helps.
- Joined
- May 30, 2010
- Messages
- 393
OK things are making more sense now, but im still considering another one... but i have plenty of time to think it through, and plus i still need to find one that i can either adopt or buy thats close to the size of mine. unless I get a baby which I would love to
Wow were very close, im only 30 min away from you. 210 to the 5 am i correct? I would love to come by and see your tortoises if you wouldnt mind lol
Wow were very close, im only 30 min away from you. 210 to the 5 am i correct? I would love to come by and see your tortoises if you wouldnt mind lol
Urtle said:OK things are making more sense now, but im still considering another one... but i have plenty of time to think it through, and plus i still need to find one that i can either adopt or buy thats close to the size of mine. unless I get a baby which I would love to
Wow were very close, im only 30 min away from you. 210 to the 5 am i correct? I would love to come by and see your tortoises if you wouldnt mind lol
I'll PM you.
RIVERSIDE!!!!!
well sorry so cal peeps you make me miss my home cold sac town isnt socal
well sorry so cal peeps you make me miss my home cold sac town isnt socal
- Joined
- May 30, 2010
- Messages
- 393
terracolson said:
Of course not. So why dont you just move back??
- Status
