The Tortoise Table

Hi TP, Funnily enough I have just put lots of information on hibernating in another thread that was posted today, and here is a link to it (it has links to all the hibernation information, the best thermometer to use, etc.). Let me know what you think and if you have any questions. https://www.theto...

Hi Kazcp1 and welcome to The Tortoise Table. Hibernation is always a bit of a scary time, but we'll help you through it, and can send you lots of information. First of all can you confirm what species your tortoise is, and how much he weighs? Your vet's instructions are OK, but slightly different to...

Just seen the photos and posted a reply -- it's a brilliant set-up. I think you might have a new career as a tortoise table designer! Nina NarRakasa wrote: > Hi Nina, > > Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate your advise, and will, as you > suggest, hibernate her next year! > > I've put picture...

Hi Narr, Oh wow -- that is a great set-up! Something that a lot of people don't know is that tortoises get really bored and lethargic if they are in boring surroundings and can see from one end of their table to the other without interruption. Your table provides so much interest -- all those little...

Aren't they lovely -- and super names too! It looks like you've got them in a good set-up, with a soil-based substrate and rocks and things to give them interest and to climb over and walk around, so well done for giving them a good home. Here is a link to a care sheet: https://www.tortoise-protecti...

Many thanks for the photo -- it's excellent and those are definitely keratin stress marks (like little wiggly worm trails). Nothing to worry about, but do try to ensure they don't grow too quickly. Feel free to ask any questions here, and do let me know if you'd like the care sheet for Hermann's tor...

Ho Totoro3, and welcome to The Tortoise Table forum. It was a little difficult to see the marks, but I'm pretty sure they are keratin stress marks. Are they like little wiggly white lines, almost like little worm trails under the shell? Keratin stress marks can appear during periods of rapid growth,...

Hi Narr, I think if she was born in 2021 then it's fine to keep her awake this winter and then think about hibernating her for the first time next year. It's good to keep a monthly record of weight (just a set of electronic kitchen scales should be fine), and try to weigh her under roughly the same ...

Phil, I think you'll have to delete that little phrase under your name at the end of your posts (the one that says 'new to keeping a tortoise', because you've become a pro in a very short time! :D That looks great -- and does it still all fit under your cupboard? What a good use of space. I also lik...

Hi NarRakasa, I'm so sorry that your original post got missed. We are usually notified when a new post comes in (and you can tick the box under the box you are writing in that says 'notify me when a reply is posted', so that you know when your post has been answered). Our system obviously went wrong...

Hi and welcome to The Tortoise Table! I must apologise because I've just seen that you posted another message early in September that was never answered (for some reason we weren't notified of it, and I do apologise). Love her name and she is a very pretty tortoise. Do you know how old she is? So I'...

I think the supplements you are giving are fine, so just keep an eye on him and hopefully everything will be well.

Nina

Hi TP, Sounds like Gonzales has had a good summer! I had my response all written and then saw that Lin had posted before me (so sorry if some of mine below repeats what Lin has said). It's funny about grass, as Horsfields are known to not like grass much at all, but two years ago both of mine develo...

It's horrible to watch, because you think there is no way they will be able to do it, but usually they can. The only time that it's dangerous if they are on their back for a long time is if they overturn directly under the bulb that provides light and heat, because then they can get dehydrated, but ...

Oh dear -- you do have a brave and reckless acrobat there! When he lands on his back, how long do you give him to right himself? Usually a tortoise will be able to right themselves after several minutes -- even five or ten minutes. They usually wriggle around until one of their legs comes up against...

Hi mapquestdirections -- sorry I don't know your real name, Can you tell us a bit more about your tortoise -- what species is he, how old, what he weighs now, and what sort of set-up he is in (indoors and outdoors)? If you'd like to send a photo of your set-up that can help too, as sometimes a littl...

That's great news, Phil -- thanks so much for letting us know. The vet might want to prescribe an antibiotic cream as well, but see what he says. It's so good that you have acted quickly and prevented this from getting any worse. After you see what the vet has to say about the condition of Skippy's ...

You too, Phil. You're a star, and Shelly and Skippy are really lucky to have found a home with you and your family.

Nina

Hi Tom, Usually we say that you should have a tortoise for a year before you hibernate him. This is because they need to be in great health before hibernating, and it can take a while before you are familiar enough with him to know if he is a bit off colour. However, if a vet gave him a good bill of...

I'm really sorry, Phil, but this is not good at all, and the breeder shouldn't have sold you this tortoise. Lin and I have been looking closely at the photos and we do think that it could be some sort of shell rot. With the scute at the front near the head, is that white dot softer than the shell, i...

Hi Phil, I think I can see the area you are talking about -- the scute to the left of the nuchal (small central) scute, where at the front it looks like the top layer of the scute is starting to separate from the bottom layer, and then there is a white sort of dot on the left-hand margin of that scu...

Hi Tom, Many thanks for contacting us, and congratulations on adopting this marginated tortoise -- they are a very handsome species and I think you will find him fascinating. First of all, here is a link to a care sheet for Marginateds https://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/files/Marginat...

Excellent! Can't wait to see photos, and if you do as good a job on the outside as you've done on your indoor table then it will be brilliant!

Nina

Actually, if you live in a reasonably modern house you shouldn't need supplementary heating at night unless it gets very cold. Because you've got little ones i'd say that you don't need extra heat at night unless the temperature drops below about 14C or 15C. In the wild temperatures drop at night, a...

Whew -that's good that you've got a bulb that will work with a thermostat. Yes, I think that 15C should be fine. If you're finding that they are sort of going into hibernation mode then you might consider 16C or 17C, but I would start with 15C and see how it goes. How are you going to heat it at nig...