Search found 2003 matches

by Nina
05 Jun 2020, 09:29
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Ideal Vivarium temps
Replies: 32
Views: 24937

Re: Ideal Vivarium temps

Hi Reece, Many thanks for the extra information. I have checked out your vet practice, and they do have an 'exotics' vet there, so that should be fine, but a temperature above 35C can be dangerous -- are you sure that is what he advised? Ideally it should be 30C under the light, as Lin said. Also ca...
by Nina
05 Jun 2020, 09:09
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: Heat lamp advice
Replies: 16
Views: 16046

Re: Heat lamp advice

Hi Carla, I think that most people use spotlights, so you're fine. Yes an ordinary household spotlight can be used, but the problem is that there aren't many of these available to buy now as all the incandescent bulbs were fazed out over the last several years in favour of low energy bulbs (which do...
by Nina
05 Jun 2020, 09:02
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Sleeping advice
Replies: 12
Views: 11662

Re: Sleeping advice

Just a quick opinion -- your bulb already has a silver coating on the top part of it, so that will protect your eyes to a certain extent, and as long as you are not looking directly into the uncoated, bottom part it is not quite so dangerous (but sitll not ideal). However, if you do put some alumini...
by Nina
04 Jun 2020, 19:07
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Ideal Vivarium temps
Replies: 32
Views: 24937

Re: Ideal Vivarium temps

Hi Reece, in addition to the good advice that Lin has given, I think the cause of your problem might be the vivarium. How long have you had the tortoise? If it is very new then you can return the viv as not fit for purpose, because vivariums are very bad environments for tortoises. They are good for...
by Nina
04 Jun 2020, 09:16
Forum: Questions about Plants
Topic: American burnweed
Replies: 4
Views: 12140

Re: American burnweed

Hi Pete, Thanks for contacting us and sorry to be a bit late in replying. I've had a good look through the scientific literature, and on the whole, Erechtites hieraciifolius should be OK to feed in moderation or sparingly, although your tortoise might not find it tasty because it is said to have an ...
by Nina
03 Jun 2020, 20:21
Forum: Identification of Plants from outside of the UK
Topic: Wildflower in Florida
Replies: 4
Views: 9748

Re: Wildflower in Florida

I've had a look and I'm sure it is Rhexia mariana (Pale Meadowbeauty), but I would like to do one more check. Could you send me a close-up of some leaves, or confirm that when you look at a leaf it has parallel lines/veins running the length of it, and might also be covered in very tiny soft hairs? ...
by Nina
03 Jun 2020, 19:55
Forum: Identification of Plants from outside of the UK
Topic: Wildflower in Florida
Replies: 4
Views: 9748

Re: Wildflower in Florida

Hi Brazierfam and thanks for sending the photos in. It's not one that I recognize immediately, but don't worry, we're working on it and will get you an ID a.s.a.p.

Nina
by Nina
02 Jun 2020, 23:29
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Sex of my marginated tortoise and extra advice needed
Replies: 20
Views: 24562

Re: Sex of my marginated tortoise and extra advice needed

Yes, that would explain it, but I'm sure he/she will flourish under your care! It would be great if you could let us know what Chris says. Cheers, Nina MillieMoo wrote: > Thanks for mentioning the pyramiding. I think it was dietary - he/she was > fed on pellets and broccoli before he came to me.
by Nina
02 Jun 2020, 14:19
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Sex of my marginated tortoise and extra advice needed
Replies: 20
Views: 24562

Re: Sex of my marginated tortoise and extra advice needed

Good pictures, thank you. This is really difficult, but I am tending towards thinking that your tortoise is female. There is no flaring of the marginal scutes -- although it might be a bit early, but the tail doesn't seem long enough and the plastron isn't quite concave enough for a male. Here is a ...
by Nina
02 Jun 2020, 13:02
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Sex of my marginated tortoise and extra advice needed
Replies: 20
Views: 24562

Re: Sex of my marginated tortoise and extra advice needed

Hmm, this is a difficult one. The cloaca looks sort of slit shaped, which would indicate a male, but the tail doesn't look big enough. Could we have some more photos -- showing the underside and the tail extended like the one you've posted, but in the one you posted of the whole underside I couldn't...
by Nina
01 Jun 2020, 22:06
Forum: UK Plant Identification
Topic: Roses yes or no?
Replies: 3
Views: 5093

Re: Roses yes or no?

That's great, Nic -- and if you ever want a plant identified then just send us some photos of it (the whole plant growing, in situ, plus close-ups of flowers, seed heads, etc., and we'll do our best to put a name to it. You'd probably be amazed at how many things are growing in your garden that can ...
by Nina
01 Jun 2020, 20:37
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Thank you Nina
Replies: 1
Views: 3120

Re: Thank you Nina

Oh my goodness, you've made me blush! Sarah, it's people like you, who are so passionate about their tortoises and will work so hard to give them a good life, that makes all the work we do worthwhile. I so enjoyed talking with you today. I think you're great, and I know that Lord Voldetort is going ...
by Nina
01 Jun 2020, 19:22
Forum: UK Plant Identification
Topic: Roses yes or no?
Replies: 3
Views: 5093

Re: Roses yes or no?

Hi Nic, That's odd as we have two entries for Rose on the database. Here is the one for Wild Rose https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=290&c=4#.XtVFrMB7m9s and here's a link to the one for ordinary cultivated roses: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-databa...
by Nina
01 Jun 2020, 16:34
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Really concerned
Replies: 4
Views: 5437

Re: Really concerned

That's a relief. I think I know what you are asking about then, and I can answer here or we can chat on the phone. I haven't had your email yet.

Nina
by Nina
01 Jun 2020, 15:27
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Really concerned
Replies: 4
Views: 5437

Re: Really concerned

Hi Sarah, Thanks for sending the photos. I can't quite tell, but it looks like a reddish flush underneath several of those scutes -- is that right? If that has suddenly appeared then you need to contact a vet immediately. Do you have a good reptile vet (it must be a vet who is qualified to treat rep...
by Nina
01 Jun 2020, 15:15
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Increase in activity
Replies: 2
Views: 3969

Re: Increase in activity

Hi Flora -- great to hear from you again, and also to hear that your little Horsfield is doing well. She sounds absolutely fine to me, and I'm sure her extra activity is due to the nice warm temperatures and bright sunlight that we've had for the last couple of weeks. Bright light and temperature ha...
by Nina
31 May 2020, 12:55
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: Liner for table??
Replies: 2
Views: 4476

Re: Liner for table??

Yes, I agree that a sheet of lino or vinyl would be better than tiles as they will leak, but it might be hard to bend up the corners. You do need a waterproof liner, though and it has the added advantage of making it much easier to clean. One of the easiest things to use is heavy plastic sheeting or...
by Nina
31 May 2020, 12:42
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Looking to become a tortoise owner
Replies: 11
Views: 9156

Re: Looking to become a tortoise owner

Hi Nic, Wise words from Kimberley. She has given her little Timmie a great home. You could have a look at her original thread and scroll down to see the great tortoise table that she made for Timmie -- it's briliant https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/siteassets/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1908 and might ...
by Nina
31 May 2020, 12:36
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: White Patches in Shell
Replies: 7
Views: 8328

Re: White Patches in Shell

Hi Lily, Thanks for your email with the address and the booklet will go out to you tomorrow. I think Tort is a perfectly good name and, as you say, it's not gender specific. The barrier should help a lot -- just a 1" x 6" board or something that he can't see over should do it -- he'll be h...
by Nina
30 May 2020, 22:09
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Do I have a male or female
Replies: 1
Views: 3202

Re: Do I have a male or female

Hi Jack and welcome to The Tortoise Table. I've had a look at your photo, but it's really hard to tell from that one, as the tail is sort of tucked in plus there is some grass covering his cloaca. I think the tortoise is almost certainly female from the size of the tail, but I can't really see it cl...
by Nina
30 May 2020, 10:06
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Aggressive Hermanns
Replies: 9
Views: 9549

Re: Aggressive Hermanns

I hope he calms down outdoors and starts eating again -- please let us know, as there are some tips for tricking him into eating if he goes for too long without. My Doris is the tortoise formerly known as Boris, for the same reasons that your Barbara became Nigel :D When he is outdoors you might not...
by Nina
29 May 2020, 20:13
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Aggressive Hermanns
Replies: 9
Views: 9549

Re: Aggressive Hermanns

Hi Tim, I'm afraid that is pretty standard male behaviour, but it can also be typical female behaviour if they are about to lay eggs (and females don't need a male to produce eggs). All tortoises for some reason like bare feet -- and they go mad if you have red nail varnish on your toenails, so beca...
by Nina
29 May 2020, 09:25
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: New bedding is this ok?
Replies: 6
Views: 5936

Re: New bedding is this ok?

I'm not really sure. I have had topsoil from Homebase in the past and it was all right but did sometimes have little bits of stuff in it, and I've also bought some from garden centres. i think someone said that topsoil from Wicks was a bit betterthan Homebase, but that's a while ago. The thing about...
by Nina
28 May 2020, 18:54
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Looking to become a tortoise owner
Replies: 11
Views: 9156

Re: Looking to become a tortoise owner

Hi Nic, and welcome to The Tortoise Table! First of all, well done for doing your research before you get your tortoise -- so many people don't and they then run into big problems. It's also great that you are getting your tortoise from a breeder -- you should get good after-sale advice, and you mig...
by Nina
28 May 2020, 11:56
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: My tortoise escaped
Replies: 38
Views: 50642

Re: My tortoise escaped

Thanks so much for the update, Lucre, and we are hoping with you that Jeff will turn up. They are incredible escape artists though, so do remind your neighbours to keep an eye out for him. I agree that he will no doubt turn up at some point, and he will be so happy to see you again!

Nina