The Tortoise Table

So sorry I've been out all day and not long back. OMG, that is brilliant! So does Vera now have a posher house than you? It's really super and I'll bet he loves going through that lovely archway to the west wing (or is it the east wing) of his des res. Well done all of you!

Nina

Hi Tortilla (sorry, I don't know your real name), Thanks for contacting us, and I've responded to your email about diet on the other thread. Although none of us on the TTT team have personal experience of raising Angulate (also called Bowsprit) tortoises, I have looked into the care of them and can ...

Well done for taking her to the vet -- it's always good to check these things just in case, and I'm glad that she is well. It sounds to me like she is lucky to have found a home with you!

Nina

Hi Tortilla and thanks for contacting us. I am assuming that you are asking about this diet for an Angulate tortoise (the same as your other posts today, which I will try to answer very soon). Regarding diet, from what I can see, the Angulate tortoise requires a diet similar to the Leopard tortoise ...

Well the photo came out fine -- and it looks like she has lovely colouring too. From what I can see of her tail there, it doesn't look as big as in the other photo, so I think we're probably fine with the female ID (lol, at least until she/he flashes his bits at you at some point, and then you will ...

That's good news then. Her tail does look a bit large -- almost swollen -- but that could just be the way she is or the camera angle, so not a problem (it's why Lin asked if she had recently laid eggs -- but at that age she couldn't have). Her anal scute also looks a little bit 'male'. Could you sen...

I agree with Lin -- most probably female (although she has a fairly large tail for a female). How old is she? To adequately sex a Hermanns it needs to be at least 4 years old, and sometimes as old as 8 or 9 (because the tails can look similar up to that age), and at least 10 cm long -- but she does ...

Me too (and I've already tried to book her as architect and project manager for my next tortoise enclosure!

Nina

Well, I have to say, that is an absolutely brilliant enclosure -- a really good size and lots of interest within it (things to walk over, around, etc.). You should be really proud of that, and your Horsfields will absolutely love their new little torty kingdom. Now could you come to Oxfordshire, ple...

Oh my goodness -- that really made my day (and I'll bet it made Vera's day too)! I'm so glad that you are going to keep him and am really looking forward to seeing photos of his new little tortoise palace!

Nina x

Hi Steve, Ha, ha -- not so great to ask if a tortoise should be eating something after they've eaten it :D , but in this case you've lucked out and it should be fine. It's either Campanula (the low growing variety that can grow out of walls), or Dog Violet. Both are edible, and if you can send us a ...

Lin is right. I don't have a covering over my outdoor enclosure and I constantly worry about the tortoises and am going out to see them every ten minutes! My enclosure is a really odd shape, with undulating sides, so it's really hard to cover it. Also, it is such a hassle if the cover sits on top of...

It's looking really good, Bex! I think it's right to keep her indoors (in the meter cupboard) at night for now, as it is still quite cold at night and we are still getting some frosts around here. Also, you don't want her to have a light on at night, and she doesn't have any other source of heat out...

I tried to post an answer after each of your postings, but it doesn't seem to be working, so I'll number your photos in your three posts from 1 to 8, starting with the earliest. Nos. 1 and 6 look like Spurge, where the leaves are wilting a bit. It is a definite no feed. nos. 4 and 5 (with the tiny w...

No there isn't really a rule and it's something that we all struggle with. What you need to aim for is slow growth. There is a sort of general rule that you aim for an average weight gain of between 1g - 4g per month, but that is just an average, and some months they will gain more and some less (an...

As far as I know, tortoises can be microchipped once their plastrons (the underside) is more than 100mm in length, but I think I would wait until the tortoise is a bit bigger. There is a bit of a controversy over this issue, as while many tortoises that have been lost or stolen have been reunited wi...

Well, I have to say that the reason for name is brilliant -- made my day. Thanks for the photo too! Aww, isn't she (are you sure she is a she?) is gorgeous, and welcome from me too! It sounds to me like you are doing your research really well, and it is great that you have built her a tortoise table...

Well, I think the minimum ratio that you want is 2:1 calcium to phosphorous (and that is what Reptivite has). However, ideally you want the calcium level as high as possible because if phosphorous levels in the body get too high, the body takes calcium out of the bones to bind with the phosphorous, ...

Hi -- and it's a good (but difficult question) that you ask. We have a little summary of minerals and supplements here https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-diet/minerals-and-supplements/#.XIpD97jgq9s which includes Reptivite -- and also Reptavite (with an 'a'), which is a different product b...

Glad to see that he hit the ground running, and that he is O.K. I think you need to have a word with him about not messing you about next year though . Looking forward to pics!

Nina

I'm with Lin on this, and I do think you've done the right thing. It is so nerve wracking, isn't it? I think that I found raising a tortoise much more stressful than raising my son (and believe me that was very stressful at times). The only thing more frustrating than having to wake a tortoise up ea...

Well, 17g is a fair amount to lose over six weeks, but he is a good weight to start with and so should have reasonable reserves of body fat. Are you absolutely sure he hasn't had a wee or a poo? If not then I would give him another two weeks and see if he loses any more, and if he does then I think ...

Hi Sian, It's very difficult, as guidelines have changed recently. The rule used to be that a tortoise was allowed to lose up to 10% of its weight in hibernation, but you are right in thinking that the current thought is that no more 1% per month is a guideline. There are aeveral other factors to co...

Hi Bex, Great to hear from you! I remember you built Speedy a really lovely indoor enclosure a couple of years ago -- but I guess that is too small for her now. It looks like you have built a very nice outdoor enclosure for her too, and 16' x 8' should last her for a while now (until she gets super ...

Hi Beckibee, In your first post, the first photo is of Dandelion -- fine to feed and here is a link to the entry for it on our website: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=5&c=6#.XHrCU7jgq9s The second photo looks like young plants of Herb Robert in the centre of...