The Tortoise Table

Looks like Dock to me, so well spotted.

Nina

Hi MIchael, There was no photo attached to your post, and it might even be better if you start a new thread about your new enclosure. Did you know that when you write a message that there are a set of little boxes under the big box where you write your message, and if you tick the box that says 'not...

Hi Swallow, and welcome to The Tortoise Table! I hesitate to hazard a guess because it's really difficult to ID a plant when part of it has been picked and is in a cup or lying on the table. The reason for this is that especially when there aren't flowers or seed heads, loads of plants have similar ...

That is so kind of you to post this message, Andy -- it really makes all our efforts feel worthwhile! I've really enjoyed our contact (on the phone and by email) and I think Madge is one lucky tortoise to have found a home with you! Please don't hesitate to contact us at any time, and if you would l...

Ha, ha -- I do the same. I've had mine for years, so I'm down to only checking every half hour now!

I think that looks great, Jo, and Oreo is really going to enjoy it! I always think they enjoy walking on different surfaces, so you could add something like an area of flat stones or pebbles, just to give a different texture to walk on, but it's not necessary. and your enclosure looks super.

Nina

Hi William, Can you fill us in a bit about your tortoises? What species, how old are they, and how much do they weigh. There isn't anything wrong with putting on weight -- they should be putting on weight -- but you just don't want them to grow too quickly. At this time of year they will probably be...

Hi Jo,

I'm having a senior moment. That plant looks so familiar but I can't recall what it is. When Lin is up and about I'll bet she will know.

Nina

Hi Grace, Normally I would say to bring him in at night, as there are predators (rats and foxes about) who can prey on tortoises, but your enclosure looks reasonably secure so he is probably all right (but don't underestimate the ability of rats and foxes to get into an enclosure). 12C is fine, as t...

Hi Jo, Just checking --you say that the stems aren't woody -- but you said they form a bush, and bushes would have woody stems. Is there one base to the plant and all the stems come from that one base, or are they separate stems each coming out of the ground? Also, you said you had two more you were...

I agree with Lin about the second photo with the white flowers. Unless we can get really good photos of the leaves and the whole plant I would steer clear of it because most of the umbel plants are not good and some are very poisonous, so it's not worth the risk. I didn't think the first plant looke...

Hi -- can you remind me what SA stands for? Is it Southern Australia or South Africa? There is a good maker of pelleted tortoise food called Pre Alpin Testudo. They are based in Germany, but I think they do sell in other countries. They are called Agrobs and the product is Pre Alpin Testudo. Here is...

They should be absolutely fine, and it sounds like you have everything in hand. As long as they have access to water in their enclosure there should be no problem at all. As it is pretty warm at the moment, will someone be looking in on them to make sure the water is refilled if it evaporates, and a...

So glad it turned out well and it's always nice to find another plant to feed to your tortoise!

Nina

Really good photos and thanks very much! I think Lin will probably know for sure what this is, but I'm going to hazard a guess and say that it is either Wild Chicory or Blue Sowthistle. You can check the photos in our entries for these here: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewpla...

That is one handsome little tortoise you have there! Hmm, names are difficult. You probably can't tell the sex yet (you often can't sex tortoises until they are five or six years old, when the male's tail suddenly develops), but if you want to send us a photo of his/her underside, clearly showing th...

I just remembered something -- I nailed some roofing felt (the stuff that covers shed roofs and has a sandpaper feel to it) to my ramp because the wood was so smooth on it that my tortoises were nervous because it was a bit slippery. You could try that -- or just glue some narrow strips of wood (lik...

Well, I have to say those are lovely set-ups you've got! Lots of interest for the tortoise and nicely laid out -- so well done to you and Jesse. I have a similar house to yours in my outdoor enclosure, and I wonder if that ramp is a little steep for your little one to climb up. I think my 'house' ha...

Ha, ha --we love Steve's strange little ways! My Doris and Dolly send their regards to Steve (in their somewhat eccentric English way).

Nina

Hi (sorry, I don't know your name). Tortoises often don't sleep where you want them to! I have a nice sleeping area in my indoor enclosure, and they almost never use it. What sort of house is it that you have in your greenhouse? Tortoises do like a snug little area to sleep in, so if your 'house' is...

I think it is one of the Silene genus. Could well be Silene alba, but there are quite a few species of Silene that grow in Michigan -- here's a link to a discussion of some of them https://michiganflora.net/genus.aspx?id=silene and another https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/white-campion I...

Oh, yes, that's definitely one of the upright Campanulas, and a very pretty one too!

Nina

Hi and thanks for contacting us. We do have an entry for Lavender (and French Lavender would be included in that), and here is a link to it: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=218&c=4#.WyTqWyAnaM8 I've had a quick look and your Cyrtomium should be fine to plant ...

Hi Michael, I don't know how many of our members live in Western Australia, but good luck. What are you going to use the perch for? Nina MichaelCoela wrote: > Has anyone got Jade Perch in there system? if you do can you tell me how > they are going. I would like to use them and want some more inform...

I agree with Lin that Pennycress is a good bet, and it could be Hoary Cress too. Here are links to two sites with lots of photos and let us know what you think: Hoary Cress Here is our entry for it https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=563&c=6#.WyEsYyAnaM8 and here...