The Tortoise Table

Hi Jody, Sorry to be late in responding, but we're having trouble with our email and I'm not getting notifications of forum postings. Nothing to worry about (or probably nothing to worry about :D ). Those are natural growth rings (so your tree analogy was spot on). As the tortoise grows his shell mu...

Hi Lucre,

Yes, I think you are absolutely right in not wanting to stress out the new little tortoises, and if your vet is willing to keep them for another week that would be the perfect solution!

Nina

Hi Jody, So sorry to be late in responding, but I never got the automatic notification that a new post has been added to this thread! I think the Peak District is my favourite place area in the country! My son and I used to holiday there when he was younger, and I've also been on holiday with friend...

Hi Lucre, So sad about Jeff, but don't give up hope. Great news though about the new Hermanns -- I'll bet you're so exited! I was just remembering about your vivarium. As you live in Italy, your climate is much better than ours in England and so the tortoise can be outdoors more, but when the new li...

Yes, that definitely looks like Musk Mallow to me. I can't see the leaves clearly in your photos, but if it isn't Musk Mallow then it's another of the mallows and safe to feed. I know you're in Canada and just found this info on Musk Mallow in the Ontario Weeds section of the Ministry of Agriculture...

Hi Tara Jane, Thanks so much for the photos. Jemima is really lovely and I think she is very lucky to have found a home with you! I think you've made an excellent table for her -- so no wrist slaps for you -- and I'm sure she will enjoy climbing over that bridge/tunnel thingy as much as hiding under...

Hope your new techniques are working!

Nina

Hi Tara Jane and welcome to The Tortoise Table! And many congratulations on acquiring your lovely little Horsfield (Jemima is a super name!). They are a great species with lots of personality. I think you've made a super start with her, by giving her outdoor and indoor accommodation and giving her a...

Fergus is obviously a star and I love the fact that he already has groupies lined up to watch him (I can see them hatching a money-making scheme to sell tickets to see him perform in his new enclosure)! Thanks so much for the photo!

Nina

So glad that they are becoming more confident and active, and I'm sure that Flo will eat more once she has settled in. Regarding outdoors. The sort of loose rule is that if you can wear a short-sleeved t-shirt they can go out. Little ones do cool down more quickly than bigger tortoises, so I just us...

Oh my goodness, Lucre, I'm so happy for you! This is such good news, and you are going to give a wonderful home to these two tortoises, and I think they should count themselves lucky that they are coming to live with such a caring owner. It is fine to leave them together for now, as if they are male...

Hi Isabelle, Oh dear that does happen a fair amount with tortoises, and there isn't really much you can do about it, except make sure there are things like rocks and plants around, and you can mound up the substrate a bit to make little hils and things -- anything that they can push against or will ...

You'll be fine, Nic -- and so will Fergus! We've all been through this. I can't tell you how nervous and stressed I was when I first got Boris (lol, who is now called Doris and lays eggs every year). And it was some really kind tortoise keepers on forums that I went on at the time who encouraged me ...

Hi Nic, Love the photo! I think he might just be settling in, so try and relax (lol, easy to say, but I know I couldn't do it), and keep up the baths. We've already discussed the temperatures, so I know you're got those sorted now. Some tortoises can be really picky and can develop fads and strong l...

Hi Adelle, I think you're going to be a great tortoise keeper. What you plan to do re keeping a distance is spot on, as tortoises can be shy to start with. Yours will soon get used to you (especially if you hand feed them every now and then -- but don't make a habit of it because some torts love bei...

What a brilliant transformation! It just goes to show what can be done with a bit of creativity and four enthusuastic children! And the result is one happy tortoise, who will almost certainly have a happier and much longer life in his new improved home. Thanks for posting tihs, Nikki, and I hope tha...

Polly, I think that is the perfect solution! And what great news that he is eating some of the grass that is stuck to the lettuce. Very gradually increase the grass content and reduce the lettuce content and voila! And if you use Lin's sandwich idea you can fit even more grass inside the rolled up l...

Hi, and welcome to The Tortoise Table (sorry, I don't know your name). And many congratulations on getting your new Horsfields -- they are a great species with lots of personality). And I love the names Flo and Wilma -- I have two Horsfields called Doris and Dolly. If you only got them yesterday it'...

That's really irritating! I did see a notice to somewhere to say that there might be some delay in sending out orders, because of the lockdown, and I used to have the owner's email address -- I'll see if I can contact her. Can you send me an email with your full name and order number (and what you o...

[attachment=0]Stolen tortoise Malton.jpg[/attachment]

Hi Laura, Great to hear from you and what a great tip that is! I can see how it would work and I think a lot of people who read this might try it out in their enclosures. I hope you are staying safe and well too (and not suffering too much in the heat we've been having). They spent months telling us...

OMG, I just realised -- are you Tina of Tina Wade and Jonny fame? :D I didn't twig when I saw the name Tina on the thread that it might be you. But when I saw the 'hope you are keeping well, my dear', I thought that's a bit familiar from a stranger - now could it be someone that I already know --- a...

Hi Andrea and welcome to The Tortoise Table! And congratulations on welcoming this very handsome Hermann's tortoise into your home. I think you've created a superb outdoor enclosusre for him -- and he's lucky to have found a home with you. It's a good size and there is lots of interest there for him...

Do be careful with the file, as it looks like there might be a crack near where the piece came off, and also you don't want to stress him.

Nina

Hi Polly, Something just occurred to me. You mentioned that you are offering him Timothy grass. Is this Timothy grass or Timothy hay? In other words is it fresh or dried. It's often difficult to get youngsters to eat dried grass (although adults will happily eat it). Why not grow fresh grass yoursel...