Search found 2005 matches

by Nina
16 Feb 2019, 15:42
Forum: Rehoming
Topic: REHOMED: Spiff -- Hermann's Tortoise
Replies: 5
Views: 7059

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: 9513

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...
by Nina
10 Feb 2019, 16:57
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: need help with ideas on an indoor enclourse
Replies: 1
Views: 5487

Re: need help with ideas on an indoor enclourse

Hi Renee, We do have an article about indoor enclosure here: https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-care/enclosures/indoor-housing/#.XGBUgLjgq9t The main thing is to make a table as large as space will allow because they get bored in small spaces. And you can make a second level in a table so ...
by Nina
10 Feb 2019, 16:39
Forum: Rehoming
Topic: looking for a herman's tortoise
Replies: 2
Views: 4548

Re: looking for a herman's tortoise

Also, we are based in the UK and can only rehome wthin Great Britain. In the United States I have found this site that might be able to help you (although I don't know anything about them):
http://www.tortoise.com/need-a-rescue.html
Good luck!

Nina
by Nina
07 Feb 2019, 19:32
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Tortoise Care
Replies: 4
Views: 6129

Re: Tortoise Care

Hi A, and welcome to The Tortoise Table! First of all congratulations on doing your research before you get your tortoise (so many people don't research well enough and have lots of problems afterwards). That is lovely of your grandfather to offer you a tortoise as a graduation present -- they truly...
by Nina
07 Feb 2019, 16:55
Forum: Rehoming
Topic: REHOMED: Spiff -- Hermann's Tortoise
Replies: 5
Views: 7059

Re: Spiff -- Hermann's Tortoise needs a new home -- UPDATE

We've now received sufficient applications to rehome Spiff. Many of the applications were of very high calibre, and so we request that no more are sent. We will post updates and let you know when a new home is found, and thanks so much for your interest.
by Nina
06 Feb 2019, 20:55
Forum: Rehoming
Topic: REHOMED: Spiff -- Hermann's Tortoise
Replies: 5
Views: 7059

Re: Spiff -- Hermann's Tortoise needs a new home

Hi Sian. Great to hear from you (by the way, did you ever sort out the dust problem that you asked about a while ago?). We've had a good handful of applications (mostly through our Facebook page) from some experienced tortoise keepers, but we are always open to a new keeper rehoming a tortoise. If y...
by Nina
05 Feb 2019, 23:08
Forum: Rehoming
Topic: REHOMED: Spiff -- Hermann's Tortoise
Replies: 5
Views: 7059

REHOMED: Spiff -- Hermann's Tortoise

Spiff is still hibernating, but sadly her owner passed away a short while ago and she is needing a special forever home, preferably in the Nottingham area or with someone who is willing to travel there for collection. She is an elderly Testudo hermanni boettgeri -- her exact age is unknown, but she ...
by Nina
05 Feb 2019, 08:03
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Horsefield tortoise weight gain!
Replies: 5
Views: 12343

Re: Horsefield tortoise weight gain!

Hi Sam, Well, I must say that this little tortoise has been very lucky to find a home with you, and I think you are going to be a great tortoise keeper! He is really young, isn't he (what's his name by the way?), and I think that he does sound a bit light for his length (are you measuring it accordi...
by Nina
04 Feb 2019, 22:18
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Horsefield tortoise weight gain!
Replies: 5
Views: 12343

Re: Horsefield tortoise weight gain!

Hi Sam, First of all, many congratulations on taking on this poorly tortoise, and getting him seen to by a vet also. It does sound like he had a terrible start in life, and he is lucky to have found a home with you. 7g is a lot to gain in a month, but then he was almost certainly underweight after s...
by Nina
04 Feb 2019, 10:47
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Horsfield tortoise care
Replies: 3
Views: 9328

Re: Horsfield tortoise care

It sounds to me like you have a good set-up (so that is a great relief, as many people are badly advised when they first get a tortoise). 35C is a little too hot, but because he can wander away from it then he does have the freedom to regulate his temperature, which is important. Can you possibly ra...
by Nina
03 Feb 2019, 19:16
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Horsfield tortoise care
Replies: 3
Views: 9328

Re: Horsfield tortoise care

Hi Mrs (sorry, I don't know your name), and welcome to The Tortoise Table -- and congratulations on getting your little Horsfield. I keep Horsfields, and they are a great species with lots of personality. Do you know how old your tortoise is? If he really is a baby then they do sleep a lot, but he s...
by Nina
23 Jan 2019, 22:10
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: First time hibernating marginated
Replies: 10
Views: 13871

Re: First time hibernating marginated

And thanks so much from me too for your kind words, Steph -- it was lovely to read tha!. It sounds to me like he will be fine, and that is great that he took a drink (whew!). I think 8 weeks should be fine, especially in view of the wee it's probably wise not to hibernate him for much longer. Don't ...
by Nina
23 Jan 2019, 20:31
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: First time hibernating marginated
Replies: 10
Views: 13871

Re: First time hibernating marginated

Hi Steph, I think they do that on purpose, just to stress us out! As Lin says, you can't not leave him in there for a full hibernation, but as he has only been in for a day or two you can take him out and see if you can get him to drink -- and then put him back in. If you weigh him just before offer...
by Nina
22 Jan 2019, 12:37
Forum: UK Plant Identification
Topic: Plant identification please
Replies: 2
Views: 4644

Re: Plant identification please

For the second plant, I also think it might be sorrel, but not sure. You can taste the leaves though, and if they have a tangy, slightly sour taste (a bit like unripe green apple) then it is sorrel, and that tangy taste is because of the oxalic acid in it (which is what makes it a no feed for your t...
by Nina
05 Jan 2019, 22:07
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Female - male mating behaviour!!
Replies: 10
Views: 10884

Re: Female - male mating behaviour!!

Ha, ha, the thought of you scampering around your garden in your crocs, tryng to escape the amorous attentions of Tortilla, has really made my day. It might be wise to prepare your neighbours in advance for the sexual mayhem that is going to be taking place in your garden this summer! Happy New Year...
by Nina
05 Jan 2019, 11:38
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Female - male mating behaviour!!
Replies: 10
Views: 10884

Re: Female - male mating behaviour!!

I also meant to say that it is well known that tortoises will mate with old trainers, rubber balls etc. At the risk of getting your new year off to a shocking start, here is a video of a male tortoise trying to mate with a rubber ball. Sorry if it is offputting, but it's also kind of educational to ...
by Nina
05 Jan 2019, 11:25
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Female - male mating behaviour!!
Replies: 10
Views: 10884

Re: Female - male mating behaviour!!

Thanks so much for the kind thoughts, Heather, and Happy New Year to you too! For information (sorry, I've come in late on this thread), my Dolly (who is definitely female) mounts and 'mates' with Doris each year after they wake up from hibernation. She is relentless in doing tis and sometimes she d...
by Nina
03 Jan 2019, 14:56
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Growth ongoing?
Replies: 1
Views: 4171

Re: Growth ongoing?

Hi Heather, I'm on shaky ground here as I'm not absolutely sure, but as far as I know tortoises just keep growing until they reach their optimum size (and they do have an optimum size). A lot of factors determine when they stop growing (diet, climatic conditions, etc), so some will stop growing soon...
by Nina
30 Dec 2018, 00:16
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Hibernation
Replies: 4
Views: 6310

Re: Hibernation

Hi Catherine,
Your plan is good, but 17c is really warm for the end of wind down. Can you close the door of the room and open the window to try and get the temperature lower? That should slow him down. Good luck and happy hibernation.
Nina
by Nina
28 Dec 2018, 13:16
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Hibernation
Replies: 4
Views: 6310

Re: Hibernation

Hi Catyherine, Horsfields are often slow to settle into hibernation (mine move around in their boxes and have their eyes open for a week or more after being put into the fridge (which is very disconcerting!). I think yours will be fine. How cold is your un-heated part of the house? For a five-year o...
by Nina
24 Dec 2018, 05:34
Forum: Questions about Plants
Topic: Amelanchier spp.
Replies: 6
Views: 9684

Re: Amelanchier spp.

Hi,
I'm writing this from Uganda, where my signal is limited, but just to say I'm surprised we don't have Amelanchier in the database, as it's a common garden tree/shrub, and I have one in my front garden, so we can easily get photos. We'll write an entry when I get back.

Nina
by Nina
11 Dec 2018, 19:29
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Biting tortoise
Replies: 4
Views: 5218

Re: Biting tortoise

Sorry, just about to board my plane, but yes, a couple f hours in a viv won't be terrible. Sorry, have o go, so maybe Linn can come n with more advice.

Nina
by Nina
11 Dec 2018, 17:56
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Biting tortoise
Replies: 4
Views: 5218

Re: Biting tortoise

Hi Dot, I really sympathise with you, but this is a really common problem with all species if one male and one female are kept together. Male tortoises are relentless in their pursuit of females and will stress them out by biting and by ramming their shells. The standard advice for keeping males and...
by Nina
11 Dec 2018, 09:35
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Hibernation
Replies: 5
Views: 7939

Re: Hibernation

GlAd your fridge seems to be working well, Karon. I think that weighing every two or three weeks should be fine, and it will mean less disturbance for them. And of course it will help to keep temperatures stable (although the temps will fluctuate a bit when you open the door for a few seconds each d...