The Tortoise Table

Hi Pete. Here is a Hermann caresheet for you to be reading until me or Nina get back and one of us will answer more thoroughly. He is a beautiful tortoise and if you could send in another photo of the whole enclosure it will allow us to give answers. How did you get to the temperature you stated. Wh...

H Ben. It’s a shame especially with the training you have chosen to do. Good luck with it, we need more people like you. If you would like to send me what I have asked for in the message below I can add you to our pages. Is there any urgency to rehome these two lovely ladies because things seem to b...

Hi again Anandita.
Try the setting of the gun on environment temp.
Lin

Hi Anandita. Can you take the ground temperature with the gun a little way away from the where it measures 55 c on the soil and again at the coolest area. And then do the same with the probe thermometer in the same areas also on the ground. Is your heat and uv a combi or separate heat/uvb and light ...

I have missed this Anandita and I don’t know why. Possibly the storms we have had. I just have to pop out in a bit and shouldn’t be more than an hour when I can get back to you.

Lin

It will be fine to wait until Tuesday TP.
You shouldn’t spring clean to vigorously
Lin

Hi Amanda. I have always used a gun and never had a problem with taking the temp at ground level if tortoise needs to be warmer he will move towards the center and if he needs to be a bit cooler he will move further away from the hot spot. This is why it is so important to have a gradient heat in an...

Hi! Been awhile since I posted here , hope everyone is doing well :D. I'd like to ask if anyone has any opinions on the Asian Pigeonwing (Clitoria Ternatea) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clitoria_ternatea I've heard it's a fast growing creeper that does well in my country's climate, so I'm consideri...

Hiya casseeque. If you could send me your postcode and your email address (send it to lin@thetortoisetable.org.uk ) I can add this post to our Facebook page, where it will get more views, in a couple of days time. I would do it sooner but I have just posted a new one this morning and I like to give ...

Flash is a Hermans tortoise who is almost 4 years old from Southampton and although it looks like it could be a female, there is always room to change with one so young to be 100% sure. Flash it looking for a loving home due to the owners living circumstances having changed. Flash does have a tortoi...

Hi Meg. Can you tell if the rocks are light coloured or white. Most tortoises eat almost white stones and that is thought it’s because they think it’s calcium or lump chalk, if that’s the case it would be a good idea to get some and leave it around the ground or a closure and he may start eating tha...

Hi Mort I wonder if you could send in a photo of the whole setup from the side with something for size comparison, and also if I can see photos or links of the things you are going to place inside I will also be able to advise on where to locate them. I just can’t seem to place what I am seeing from...

Hi TortmumB, it’s so traumatic for us when one of our pets are unwell but especially so a tortoise because they can’t express how the feel vocally. I do agree with Nina’s very good advice, and I apologise in advance if I repeat something she has already said. Regarding your question on how do we mea...

Hi Mark
Is there and pink tissue or softness in the damages area of shell?
As Nina has requested a photo will be better for a definite identification of what’s going on.

Lin

Hiya, and welcome. No, you haven’t done anything wrong, this is about the time tortoises have a little growing time and what you are seeing is the skin flaking, like in all reptiles but with tortoises it comes off is small pieces and not single or full skins like snakes. It’s nothing to worry about ...

Wow, temps. What a fantastic find and you have done a brilliant job so far.
I can’t wait to see the finished result.
Lin

Just a little tip that might encourage a tortoise to put his head out for photography purposes. Hold him so the feet are not touching anything and slowly tilt tortoise forward. Have someone ready with cameras and it will lapped.

Lin

Hi TP.
Do you have a photo you can send in? Sandwort is the common name of several flowering plants And if there isn’t a Latin name then a photo would help us identify the correct plant for you and give advise.

Lin

Hi again Wayne. I will pop your advert onto the Facebook page where your other message is. It will get a lot more views on there and we can cross our fingers crossed for a happy outcome.

Lin

Hi Emma. Kimchi’s nails look fine to me. As you say digging is a favourite pastime they also need longish nails for balancing on the females back when mating. You could easily make a ramp from a roof slate at an angle butting up against a mound of largish pebbles for him to clamber up and over and i...

Hi KT, thanks for contacting us with a photo of your lovely tortoise, am I right in thinking it’s a Redfoot ? Where abouts, what country are you in to be having those night time temps. I know it’s not England. 😂 It’s nice to have the hibiscus, they love those flowers and leaves and they are on the g...

Hi Kyle
Your flower is a Mediterranean Hibiscus, one of the multi or double flowered variety and tortoises love them, both leaves and flowers.
Here is our entry for it.
https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/pla ... nt=711&c=4

Lin

Tank and Bowser are Hermann tortoises that at 3 years are too young to sex and they are looking for a forever home because of a health situation and house move, the owner is looking for someone to take over their care from Warwick CV35. After a dodgy start Tank and Bowser started the early days in a...

Hi Phil Thanks for the clarification and if you say it’s all water tight and you have an outdoor water tight sockets then I will say yes it will be okay. I would still make a loop at the lowest point of the droop of wire though. Sorry but electrics are a bit scary and you are always extra cautious. ...

Hi Phil, sorry to be so late in getting to you, I was busy ordering halogen lights. Lol If I was honest I wouldn’t place any bulbs outside in all weathers without a covering to prevent ANY moisture entering even if it does say it’s waterproof. It’s too risky where tortoises are involved, well any pe...