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New family member, George the Hermann

Posted: 29 Jul 2017, 10:33
by Slimfozzy
Hi everyone, collected our little George yesterday and he's not eaten yet, I've bathed him last night and today which I think he enjoys 🤔 We've got a large tortoise table for him too and it has topsoil in, but think I may have too much topsoil in. I've attached a few photos. Also I let him in the conservatory earlier and he was off like a rocket walking around, probably because it was so warm in there. Really would appreciate your advice on him not eating, or is he just settling down? His weight 80grams. Trust a little worried that he's going to settle in ok.

Re: New family member, George the Hermann

Posted: 29 Jul 2017, 12:02
by lin
Hiya.
George is more than likely just settling in. This can take a few days taking in the newness, the sights and smells that he has never encountered. In the meantime try and keep the time you put out his food to around the same time, same area and then move away from the enclosure to where he can see or sense you are near and he should be fine.
On the hotter days he will really appreciate some natural UVB from the garden but make sure there is somewhere for him to shade from the heat and cover from the rain.

Lin

Re: New family member, George the Hermann

Posted: 29 Jul 2017, 14:18
by Nina
Hi Slimfozzy (sorry, I don't know your real name), and many congratulations on getting George and also giving him such a nice large tortoise table -- he will really appreciate it. And he is a very handsome little Hermanns!

I don't think your substrate is too deep -- tortoises love to dig down into a substrate and sometimes bury themselves completely (which can be quite alarming), so I think he will love it.

Re the eating. I agree with Lin that he is most likely just settling in. What are you offering him? They are quite partial to flowers, so if you have Evening Primroses, Lavatera, Hibiscus, Roses, Pansies or Campanula in the garden you could try tempting him with that. Or sometimes smearing a little juice from a cucumber will also tempt them.

How are you measuring the temperature in his table (that does have a big effect on their appetite and also their digestion). It should be about 30C directly under your lamp at the height of George's shell, and about 20C at the other end of the table. I see you've got the lamp directly over the slate, and if that is where you feed him, then it might be a good idea just to touch the slate with your hand to make sure it hasn't got too hot under the lamp. But really I think you have done a great job, and George is lucky to have found a home with you.

Nina

Re: New family member, George the Hermann

Posted: 29 Jul 2017, 16:15
by Slimfozzy
Hi, thanks so much for your replies, Lin and Nina. My name is Rachael, so used to using my nickname. He's definitely been more active today and he's getting quite dirty stomping around his table so hoping that's just normal behaviour but rubbed his face a few times. The food I've placed away from the heat lamp, should I place it closer? I put in his food bowl dandelion leaves, hibiscus leaves and closer today but don't think he's touched it. I will nip outside and get some viola flowers, like you say I think routines are better But I did give him a dried pellet which I did spray with water first and he seemed to bite it a few times then carried on stomping around. I suppose I'm conscious that he's eating but I know for sure he had a wee earlier in his bath which I'm pleased about. Attached a photo 😃

Re: New family member, George the Hermann

Posted: 29 Jul 2017, 16:41
by lin
Well he sure does look fit and healthy from here Rachael, a very lovely looking tortoise.
I would maybe just give him one chance a day to eat because if you keep offering he could get stroppy and decide that you will always be there to offer something else. Give it a few days and I reckon he will be eating. Can I just advise leaving the pellets out for now as thats not something he needs to be hooked on until the winter and even then there is only one type that is recommended and thats the Pre Alpin like this --
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/191580677485?c ... 495&crdt=0

Hope that link works but plenty of time for that later.

Lin

Re: New family member, George the Hermann

Posted: 29 Jul 2017, 16:53
by Slimfozzy
Thanks Lin, I've just ordered some of the food from Shelled warriors. Will have a look tonight at their website too. Again thanks so much for your advice, just want the best for the little guy (I'm sure George is male) it's his behaviour that makes me think that he is!

Re: New family member, George the Hermann

Posted: 29 Jul 2017, 17:12
by lin
LOL - Dont let behavior fool you. How old is he Rachael, do you know.

Lin

Re: New family member, George the Hermann

Posted: 30 Jul 2017, 15:18
by Slimfozzy
Hi Lin, he's 1 year old. Still don't think he's eaten, he had a nice bath today and seemed to love it basking in the sunshine and the raced around the conservatory as it was too wet to go outdoors. Keep thinking of wanting to take him outdoors but I was advised not to as thing young age. I've left him for a few hours as again I was told to leave him to settle in. Is this all normal? Thanks Rachael

Re: New family member, George the Hermann

Posted: 30 Jul 2017, 17:50
by Nina
He really is a handsome little tortoise and seems to have lots of energy! Who told you that he is too young to go outdoors? LOL -- In the wild they don't stay in tunnels underground for over a year -- they'd starve! Because he is small, he should be supervised outdoors (in case of predators), and it needs to be warm and dry. If you can wear a short-sleeved shirt then your tortoise can go outdoors. Make him a nice little pen in an area that gets the sun, but also has somewhere he can go into the shade if he gets too warm (half an old flower pot on its side makes a nice little shelter). The UVB from the sun is far better than any artificial UVB that we provide with our lights, and he would really benefit. Try and make pen mostly bare earth if possible, although some weeds and even a little patch of grass is fine (it just shouldn't be all grass). The weather we've been having lately is miserable, but as soon as the sun comes out I would put him outside, even for only a little while.

Re eating. If you put specific stuff in for him (for example, one hibiscus flower, a dandelion or plantain leaf, etc.), and if it isn't there an hour or two later then he must have eaten. If all the food is left then obviously he hasn't eaten, but I would put small amounts in so you know exactly what you have given him to eat. And keep us informed on his progress (really loving the photos!).

Nina

Re: New family member, George the Hermann

Posted: 05 Aug 2017, 21:44
by Slimfozzy
Hi Lin & Nina,

Just to let you know George is eating better, more of a variety of food, still a little slow but we are getting there. He's had a couple of days in the garden with me because the weather has been lovely and he's loved it that much there was no stopping him! Have attached a few photos. Very happy he's settling in. Don't think he likes my patio though 😃

Re: New family member, George the Hermann

Posted: 19 Aug 2017, 19:46
by Bex
Hi slimfozzy, what brilliant pics! Glad George is settling in well and congrats :)

Re: New family member, George the Hermann

Posted: 22 Aug 2017, 13:21
by Summerangel
They always seem to do better out there. They instinctively know.
Haha I agree with the patio! Lol