Search found 2003 matches

by Nina
27 Mar 2019, 14:15
Forum: UK Plant Identification
Topic: New garden! Plant I.d please
Replies: 10
Views: 10371

Re: New garden! Plant I.d please

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...
by Nina
25 Mar 2019, 19:09
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Horsefield tortoise weight gain!
Replies: 5
Views: 12323

Re: Horsefield tortoise weight gain!

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...
by Nina
18 Mar 2019, 10:03
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Microchip?
Replies: 10
Views: 14108

Re: Microchip?

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...
by Nina
17 Mar 2019, 19:14
Forum: News, Announcements and Events
Topic: Introducing BungalowBel and Theresa
Replies: 9
Views: 22748

Re: Introducing BungalowBel and Theresa

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...
by Nina
14 Mar 2019, 15:09
Forum: Diet and Nutrition
Topic: Nutrobal vs Reptivite?
Replies: 6
Views: 11279

Re: Nutrobal vs Reptivite?

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, ...
by Nina
14 Mar 2019, 12:20
Forum: Diet and Nutrition
Topic: Nutrobal vs Reptivite?
Replies: 6
Views: 11279

Re: Nutrobal vs Reptivite?

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...
by Nina
10 Mar 2019, 07:09
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Weight loss in hibernation
Replies: 9
Views: 9559

Re: Weight loss in hibernation

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 :D . Looking forward to pics!

Nina
by Nina
09 Mar 2019, 21:59
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Weight loss in hibernation
Replies: 9
Views: 9559

Re: Weight loss in hibernation

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...
by Nina
07 Mar 2019, 12:28
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Weight loss in hibernation
Replies: 9
Views: 9559

Re: Weight loss in hibernation

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 ...
by Nina
07 Mar 2019, 11:49
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Weight loss in hibernation
Replies: 9
Views: 9559

Re: Weight loss in hibernation

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...
by Nina
06 Mar 2019, 09:45
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: Speedy's Outside enclosure
Replies: 16
Views: 17920

Re: Speedy's Outside enclosure

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 ...
by Nina
02 Mar 2019, 18:08
Forum: UK Plant Identification
Topic: Help identifying!
Replies: 3
Views: 5000

Re: Help identifying!

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...
by Nina
01 Mar 2019, 12:55
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Long term travelling with my Hermann
Replies: 3
Views: 7970

Re: Long term travelling with my Hermann

Hi Jasmine, Hmm, this is a difficult question, and as it seems you are planning to travel after Brexit (if that ever happens), it might get more complicated. I found this on the European Union site: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/animal-plant/index_en.htm and while reptiles aren'...
by Nina
27 Feb 2019, 08:55
Forum: Rehoming
Topic: REHOMED -- Jim the Horsfield
Replies: 1
Views: 3968

Re: REHOMED -- Jim the Horsfield

Just to say that a new home has now been found for Jim, and many, many thanks to all the people who have applied to take him on. We had some excellent applications, and please do apply again if another suitable tortoise comes up for rehoming.

Nina, Lin and the TTT team
by Nina
23 Feb 2019, 11:46
Forum: Rehoming
Topic: REHOMED -- Jim the Horsfield
Replies: 1
Views: 3968

REHOMED -- Jim the Horsfield

Jim is a 7 year old Horsfield who is very friendly, lives in Fife and has woken early from hibernation. Sadly he he cannot go back to his owners due to ill health, so he is in short-term care with a caring family member who would like Jim to go to an experienced tortoise owner and give him the life ...
by Nina
21 Feb 2019, 08:11
Forum: UK Plant Identification
Topic: More plant identifications plesse
Replies: 3
Views: 5646

Re: More plant identifications plesse

Always glad to be of help! :D :D

Nina
by Nina
19 Feb 2019, 22:05
Forum: Questions about Plants
Topic: Callibrachoa
Replies: 4
Views: 8416

Re: Callibrachoa

Oops, thanks Lin -- I should have included a link to our entry. Sorry, Keith, I just assumed you'd seen our entry and that's why you bought the plant. In any case, pot those little plugs up and keep them warm and they'll grow into good sized plants that you can plant out when the weather is a bit wa...
by Nina
19 Feb 2019, 17:19
Forum: Questions about Plants
Topic: Callibrachoa
Replies: 4
Views: 8416

Re: Callibrachoa

Hi Keith, Planting out time all depends on where you live. Callibrachoa is hardy to zones 9-11, which means that it can take some frost, but not a lot. To be safe in the UK, if you have frost tender plants they shouldn't be planted out until the end of May (when all danger of frost is past), but wit...
by Nina
18 Feb 2019, 08:57
Forum: UK Plant Identification
Topic: More plant identifications plesse
Replies: 3
Views: 5646

Re: More plant identifications plesse

So sorry that it has taken us so long to reply to your latest message (yesterday was a bit hectic and I somehow missed it when I got I got in last night). Your first two photos are of Purple Deadnettle, which is edible and here is our entry for it: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/...
by Nina
17 Feb 2019, 21:08
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Growth rate
Replies: 6
Views: 6420

Re: Growth rate

That's great and thanks so much for the update -- and we'll be looking to add Penbode Vets to our list.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or problems -- that's what we're here for.

Nina
by Nina
17 Feb 2019, 19:00
Forum: Questions about Plants
Topic: Sedum
Replies: 11
Views: 15086

Re: Sedum

Hi and welcome to The Tortoise Table, Just an extra tip from me, to add to what Lin has said. If you plant the sedum in your tortoise's enclosure they will disappear in a flash, and all your hard work will be gone in an afternoon. Tortoises love succulents like sedum, and you do need to be careful a...
by Nina
17 Feb 2019, 18:30
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Growth rate
Replies: 6
Views: 6420

Re: Growth rate

Hiya Silverwings, and welcome from me too. It's great that you have taken on this little tortoise, and it sounds like you know what you're doing. Just to add to all the good information that Lin has given you, and to give you a very rough idea, we usually aim at an average growth rate of between 1g ...
by Nina
17 Feb 2019, 18:18
Forum: Rehoming
Topic: Rehoming Info for Hermann Tortoise
Replies: 13
Views: 12959

Re: Rehoming Info for Hermann Tortoise

Hi Laura, Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear that you might have to rehome Vera! Vera seems like an old friend to me after all the corrrespondence we've had, and I know that you have always given him the best of care. If we can support you in any way to keep him, let us know, but if you need to rehome th...
by Nina
16 Feb 2019, 15:42
Forum: Rehoming
Topic: REHOMED: Spiff -- Hermann's Tortoise
Replies: 5
Views: 7056

REHOMED -- Hermann's Tortoise needs a new home

Spiff's owner has now selected on of the applicants to give Spiff her forever home, and she has asked us to thank all of the people who applied to rehome her. The standard of applications was incredibly high, so the decision wasn't an easy one. Many thanks to all of you who showed interest and who o...
by Nina
11 Feb 2019, 11:22
Forum: Diet and Nutrition
Topic: Komodo tortoise pellets
Replies: 4
Views: 9501

Re: Komodo tortoise pellets

Hi and many thanks for posting that photo. Is this the food that you said was called Dandelion pellets? If so that is interesting because there are no dandelions in it (so false advertising maybe)! The main constituents are oats, beetroot and corn (maize), all of which are too high in starch/carbohy...