Search found 2003 matches

by Nina
11 Nov 2023, 17:52
Forum: Diet and Nutrition
Topic: Russian Horsefield Weight
Replies: 13
Views: 29545

Re: Russian Horsefield Weight

Hi Ambrosius and welcome to The Tortoise Table! It's difficult to put an exact number on how much he should weigh because tortoises are a bit like people -- some are just naturally bigger or smaller than others, and it also depends on much he weighed when he was hatched, but I would think that somew...
by Nina
09 Nov 2023, 22:02
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: Tortoise on a swing
Replies: 3
Views: 2620

Re: Tortoise on a swing

So cute! And your table is looking great too.

Nina
by Nina
08 Nov 2023, 22:50
Forum: Questions about Plants
Topic: Chellanthes distans
Replies: 2
Views: 1567

Re: Chellanthes distans

Hi and thanks for contacting us! I didn't know much about this species but have looked at the scientific literature and elsewhere, and I think it is not one to plant in a tortoise enclosure. It contains high levels of dangerous glycosides that affect cattle and sheep, among other animals. Here is so...
by Nina
05 Nov 2023, 14:20
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Hibernation time....
Replies: 6
Views: 4399

Re: Hibernation time....

Thanks, Emma -- I'll look forward to hearing a great success story this year! Mine are in their first week of wind down, and I've got my fingers firmly crossed . . . . .

Nina
by Nina
31 Oct 2023, 13:56
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: woodlice
Replies: 10
Views: 5605

Re: woodlice

Well, the fungus gnats aren't going to do the girls any harm, they're just a nuisance to people, but not harmful in any way (except to maybe very young seedlings of plants where they might nibble on the tender roots -- but to ordinary plants they do no harm). The thing is that unless you have an abs...
by Nina
30 Oct 2023, 22:09
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: woodlice
Replies: 10
Views: 5605

Re: woodlice

Yes, I think the boiling water should help, but be sure you aren't left with a substrate that is too wet for tortoises -- especially if it gets cool or cold at night, because tortoises are fine with warm and wet but they really don't do well if it is cold and wet (you want the substrate to be no mor...
by Nina
26 Oct 2023, 21:47
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Hibernation time....
Replies: 6
Views: 4399

Re: Hibernation time....

Honestly, Emma, you're doing really well, and I know it's scary (I get more stressed about my tortoises than I ever did about my son when he was growing up!), but you'll be fine. The thermometer I use is this one -- but there's no particular reason why I use that brand, and you can get similar ones ...
by Nina
25 Oct 2023, 21:08
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Hibernation time....
Replies: 6
Views: 4399

Re: Hibernation time....

Hi Emma, Sorry to be a bit late in replying, but I wanted to read through the old posts, so that I can remember what happened last year. You did have a stressful time of it, didn't you! I think your winding down time sounds good. I can't remember now, but did I send you a copy of the little sheet th...
by Nina
25 Oct 2023, 20:25
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Tortoise not eating for a long time
Replies: 5
Views: 2764

Re: Tortoise not eating for a long time

I do hope you're able to get Timmy eating again -- please let us know how it's going, and also if you want to chat about it (just contact me at nina@thetortoisetable.org.uk if you want to exchange numbers).

Nina
by Nina
25 Oct 2023, 20:22
Forum: Identification of Plants from outside of the UK
Topic: Help ID this weed
Replies: 7
Views: 10098

Re: Help ID this weed

I do envy you having all that sunshine and UVB for your tortoises! We have to provide UVB lights because of our climate, but also we are so far north that the UVB that does reach us is not as strong as it is further south. Do you have your Hermanni yet? Are people breeding tortoises in Indonesia, or...
by Nina
25 Oct 2023, 09:15
Forum: Identification of Plants from outside of the UK
Topic: Help ID this weed
Replies: 7
Views: 10098

Re: Help ID this weed

I think a tiny bit mixed in with other food would do no harm, as it is not super high in oxalates, but it is sometimes better to be cautious and avoid any problems. Oh my goodness, what gorgeous little tortoises Momon and Mimin are! And it looks like they are living in a wonderful environment too. W...
by Nina
24 Oct 2023, 17:59
Forum: Identification of Plants from outside of the UK
Topic: Help ID this weed
Replies: 7
Views: 10098

Re: Help ID this weed

Hi Anjarys, and welcome to The Tortoise Table. I've had a look at the scientific literature on limnophila aromatica, and it seems to be non-toxic, but it does contain oxalates (although the levels of oxalates in it aren't super high). We usually recommend avoiding all plants with oxalates as they bi...
by Nina
23 Oct 2023, 22:06
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: woodlice
Replies: 10
Views: 5605

Re: woodlice

Such an interesting experiment -- looking forward to the results!

Nina
by Nina
22 Oct 2023, 22:16
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: woodlice
Replies: 10
Views: 5605

Re: woodlice

The only downside I can think of is that tortoises will eat them (well, mine will anyway). If my Doris sees a woodlouse in her outdoor enclosure she practically leap up in the air and pounces on it (but that could just be mine). Mine torts also eat slugs, which is horrible, and really they should st...
by Nina
22 Oct 2023, 11:08
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Tortoise not eating for a long time
Replies: 5
Views: 2764

Re: Tortoise not eating for a long time

Hi Julie, Thanks so much for getting back to me, and including the photo of Timmy's set-up. Well, the fact that he is a Horsfield explains a lot. My tortoises are also Horsfields, and they are known to have a very strong hibernation instinct (stronger than some other species), so it can be really di...
by Nina
21 Oct 2023, 16:59
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Tortoise not eating for a long time
Replies: 5
Views: 2764

Re: Tortoise not eating for a long time

Hi and welcome to The Tortoise Table (sorry, I don't know your name). I can understand your worry, but It's a common problem for tortoises to eat less as the days grow shorter, and it's something that we all experience. However, Timmy should have been eating better throughout the year and especially...
by Nina
20 Oct 2023, 09:54
Forum: General Tortoise Care
Topic: Tortoise Rescue
Replies: 3
Views: 2783

Re: Tortoise Rescue

OMG -- those are some of the worst that I've seen! Where did you find those photos, Phil?

Nina
by Nina
10 Oct 2023, 10:26
Forum: Diet and Nutrition
Topic: Rain or Filtered Water
Replies: 3
Views: 3232

Re: Rain or Filtered Water

I'm afraid I know nothing about water filters, but I've just looked up 4 stage filters, and I guess it would be very good if it filtered out lead, etc. from the water (don't know if there are beneficial things that it would filter out too though). Rain water should be perfectly fine, and I think you...
by Nina
10 Oct 2023, 10:22
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Bed Time
Replies: 13
Views: 8137

Re: Bed Time

Here's a photo of Doris and Dolly taken a few years ago, alongside a 'topiary' tortoise that I made from bits and pieces in my shed and some succulents from the garden.
Nina
[attachment=0]IMG_5903 [Desktop Resolution].JPG[/attachment]
by Nina
09 Oct 2023, 19:02
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: Outside run finished for this year
Replies: 14
Views: 5103

Re: Outside run finished for this year

That looks like a good deal! I just looked up Fungus Gnats on the Royal Horticultural Society website and here is what they say: https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/fungus-gnats It's encouraging that they recommend the yellow sticky paper too.

Nina
by Nina
09 Oct 2023, 17:09
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: Outside run finished for this year
Replies: 14
Views: 5103

Re: Outside run finished for this year

Has your sticky paper caught any yet?

Nina
by Nina
09 Oct 2023, 09:12
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: Outside run finished for this year
Replies: 14
Views: 5103

Re: Outside run finished for this year

Are you sure that they aren't fungas gnats and not fruit flies? Where are they? If they are around the plants in your tortoise table or any other potted plants indoors then they are almost certainly fungas gnats (really tiny little black things -- they are even smaller than fruit flies). They are ha...
by Nina
08 Oct 2023, 22:27
Forum: Enclosures
Topic: Outside run finished for this year
Replies: 14
Views: 5103

Re: Outside run finished for this year

How super is that! I absolutely love your flyover -- and I can see that the tortoises love it too. It's sometimes hard to convince people that tortoises get bored and lethargic when they aren't in stimulating environments, but you've created a great looking enclosure with all sorts of interest, and ...
by Nina
04 Oct 2023, 09:51
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Bed Time
Replies: 13
Views: 8137

Re: Bed Time

It looks great!. I have a little sign that someone cross-stitched for me, and it hangs on the side of Doris and Dolly's table.
Nina
[attachment=0]IMG_9581 [Desktop Resolution].JPG[/attachment]
by Nina
03 Oct 2023, 22:34
Forum: Mediterranean Species
Topic: Bed Time
Replies: 13
Views: 8137

Re: Bed Time

Absolutely love the name plate -- did you make it?

Nina