The Tortoise Table

So sorry that we missed your original post on 15 September! I've had a good look and I think that if it is Nyger (Guizotia abyssinica) is probably fine for tortoises (although to be on the safe side I wouldn't feed a lot of it). Is the pot under or near a bird feeder? The seed shouldn't germinate as...

Excellent!

Nina


eeclaire80 wrote:
> Ahh wee Dolly looks so cute climbing up!
>
> Yes, I measured flat along level with the base of his shell.
>
> C x

No description of tortoise activity is boring! :D That sounds about right to me, but Just to check -- are you measuring his SCL (Straight Carapace Length)? It's the length measured along thet bottom rather than over the top of the shell, which you are probably doing, but thought I'd just check. Here...

Just an additional post to follow on from our discussion of Campanula. This article covers how to grow, care and propagate them, various varieties and sub-species, etc. Very useful; https://happydiyhome.com/campanula/

Nina

Aww, bless -- that is a good weight, and he obviously hasn't been growing too fast. He looked bigger to me in the photo, but there wasn't anything to measure him against, so maybe what I thought looked bumpy is just his hatchling shell and there is nothing to worry about. When he does wee, you will ...

Hi Claire, He's a lovely little chappy, and thanks for the photos! The calcium block might be OK, but I think that sometimes it is too hard for little tortoises to bite, and they don't lick. You can try a cuttlefish bone (the sort that people buy for budgies). Some tortoises won't eat them until the...

Hi Beeclair and welcome to The Tortoise Table (and many congratulations on getting Floyd)! I know it's all very confusing at the beginning (lol and it can be confusing later on too), but that's what we're here for, so if you have any questions or problems, ask away. First of all, here is a link to a...

Have just heard back from them. They are currently offering a 10% discount to TTT people, so just type in TTT at checkout. Here is what they said in addition: There is the option at checkout on postage (sort their own postage and their own pot where we don’t send anything out, and the usual 1st clas...

Hi Nic, I think I was in the middle of writing a response but forgot to send. Anyway, you can have a poo test done at a vet (can't remember now if you have a good one), or VetExotics (Reptiland) https://www.vetexotics.co.uk/ offer a 10% discount to people who type in TTT at checkout. Not sure how th...

Hi Nic, Waking him is part of it, but there is more you can do (although it can be really difficult with some tortoises). Here's a link to our article on overwintering your tortoise. Have a read and see if there is anything that you think you can do to help him. I don't think that going outside is g...

Yup, definitely a Horsfield. Here's a new care sheet for you: https://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/files/Horsfield%20Care%20Sheet%20January%202014New.pdf The care will be pretty much the same, the only difference being that Horsfields are known for having a stronger hibernation instinct...

I can see why it is worrying you. It's amazing how much weighing just before a poo or just after a poo can make a difference (at least a gram or two), but the fact that he hasn't really gained any weight since he has been with you is concerning, so let's review everything and see what we can do to m...

Well that would fit in, because although Hermann's have to have an Article 10 certificate, because they are listed in Annex A on CITES, Horsfields are listed in Annex B and don't need a certificate. Let's wait for tomorrow and see what happens. I'll be out all morning but will be back mid-afternoon....

Hi Cheryl, Your first post in the other thread said you'd acquired a Hermann's and I didn't question that, but at the end of that thread you posted a photo of him, and by that time I'd sort of forgot about the species and didn't really pick up on it -- so sorry for that. I'm almost 100% sure that he...

Cheryl, that looks absolutely brilliant!! You've done a super job and I can't think of anything to add -- you've broken up the sight lines well, put lots of little objects of interest in there, areas of light and shade, and the lid will prevent predators from coming in and him climbing out. The only...

Hi Kelly, There is so much misinformation out there. Although the vents do help a bit, the main problem with vivariums arise because tortoises are ectothermic, which means they regulate their body temperature based on the temperature of the air around them, and they need to move from warm to cool ar...

Hi Kelly, and welcome to The Tortoise Table (and many congratulations on getting Spud -- great name too!). I can tell that you are all already in love with Spud and are doing your best to give him (or her) a good home. Russian tortoises have -- as you have already discovered -- great personalities, ...

Hmm, I know we did sex her as female from your photo, but at that age you can never be sure and given her aggressive behaviour I'm wondering now if Jemima is actually Jeremy!

Nina

Hi Jody, Well, I have to say that Jemima's table is looking excellent! So many different things in there to keep her interested, to walk over and around, and I think she must be one happy tortoise (or perhaps that should be 'tortoise master' because she has trained you really well)! Here's a link to...

Hi Shelly, It's a good question, and substrate is the source of a lot of debate. We have found that the best substrate is the one nearest to what the tortoises would live on in nature, and this -- for most species (including Marginated torts) -- is a mixture of sterilised topsoil and children's play...

Wow, truly an excellent result! You must be over the moon. Did you take a photo of the flower? If so, then we'd love to use it in our entry for the plant: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=470&c=3#.X1yrxovTW9s Yes, it's true those flowers don't last a long time...

Hi Shelly, Many thanks for contacting us, and congratulations on getting your marginated tortoise (they are a lovely species)! For a start, have a read of this care sheet for that species (see link below), and then let us know if you still have questions (I think -- and hope -- that you will, becaus...

Hi Roy, You don't mention which of the products listed on that page is the one you have, but I don't think it matters as they are all fertilisers for hydrangeas and will probably have an ericaceous component to enhance the colour of the hydrangeas. Are you wanting to add this to the soil in your tor...

Herman’s owners, due to household changes, have thought long and hard and come to the decision that Herman would be better in a nice new home that will give this lovely lady a place to call her own with lots of space. She is 14 years old, and her owners know that her needs come first and foremost, s...

Please remember that the policies of Facebook and The Tortoise Table do NOT allow money to change hands when rehoming a tortoise. COVID-19 - it is essential that government guidelines are followed. Troy is just over 5 years old with no known health issues. His owner knows he needs the best there is ...