Animal Stories - People Talking About Tortoises



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Latest Animal Stories on Tortoises (155)

Anonymous - 2008-10-05
Hi Doug,

I'm wondering where I can get the Vit. E for my tortoise?

-Thanks!

" If you want to really perk up your Tortoise, apply vitaman E on the entire Tortoise and rub in with your fingers. This keeps their shells beautiful and healthy. It also relieves any discomforts they are having from shedding of their skin. Doug Wolkow, Highlands Ranch, CO." - Doug Wolkow

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Patty - 2010-06-25
Really don't rub any oil or waxy material onto your tortoise's shell! They need to have a clean surface to exchange heat with their environment. Do not paint them with polish/paint. Do not rub oils on them. Do not apply any oils, period. Vitamin E, do not use either. What do I need to do to get this through to you people?
Pam Lane - 2013-03-03
Spend time researching please!
Dr. Ray - 2013-05-03
Vitamin E is really good for tortoise shells....you don't use it all the time but it does not hurt tortoise heating issues. You do not paint tortoises either! Vitamin e and paint are two different things. Whoever said put vitamin e on shell is 100 percent correct..

Brianna - 2013-04-24
I acquired my tortoise from a relative recently and only after much research found it to be (I hope) a Russian tortoise. Crush is a little trouble maker with some attitude lol but he is very smart and knows when it's time to eat. He has been staying in a large wooden enclosure filled with 'critter care' bedding that seems to suit him fine. Is there anything else I should provide him?

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Clarice Brough - 2013-04-24
These are great little tortoises, and it sounds like you're on your way to a great time with your new friend. The information above will give you a good overview of what they need. Wishing you and your Russian Tortoise all the best.

Hannah Thompson - 2011-01-05
Hi, I've just got a russian horsfieldi tortoise from my boyfriend for xmas!
I've named him Turk and I adore him!
I have just ordered a vivarium with lamp uv lite heater habistat thing to put him in.
I'm new to tortoises and doing as much research as I can.
Does anyone have any tips on heating, feeding handling in general?
He hasn't pooped for a couple of days either! :( ??
As many replies would be very grateful.

Thank you
Turks Mummy :) x

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chuck - 2011-01-07
....as for heating your new purchase is fine. Iceberg lettuce offers no nutrition, other types such as Boston, Escarole , Romaine are fine. Avoid kales as it will constipate them . My guys (have two) also enjoy a banana and tomatoes from time to time. Place your tortoise in a small tub 1/2 inch to 1 inch of water above room temp. The warm water will entice him to poop as well as a drink. Naturally as soon he poops take him out.
Had my guys for 7 years in a large plastic container and do very well. My opinion it's easy to clean and worry free of cracking glass.
GOOD LUCK
Billy - 2011-02-04
I've had my Russian tort a couple of months now and she is great. I was concerned about her not pooping for a while and found letting her soak in half an inch of water for ten minutes or so twice a week helped as they enjoy the water and tend to go when in it! She won't poop in her table though, she prefers the living room carpet. :)
Midge - 2011-05-03
I have only just found this site and read your message. If you are still keeping your Russian in a vivarium you are actually being cruel to your beloved pet - sorry. It needs a table top, 50/50 sand/soil substrate, uvb and heat lamp. Please read the info on the Tortoise Trust site.
Kind regards
Debbie - 2011-07-13
I was told not to put a mat in ,because they need a place to cool off, so maybe you want to go with the lights..because the mat keeps it warm everywhere. I find that if I put the red light on he sleeps and with the uv light on, he is up and going,when I am but takes a nap often.
susan - 2013-03-23
Soak him in baby temperature type water twice a week for about 20 minutes. Deepness of water just at his tail, this will relieve his bowels.These tortoises can handle 40 degree temperatures at night. I suggest turning heat off at night. They should have a temperature drop just like in their natural habitat.

leah-jayne - 2011-04-28
My boyfriend has just bought me a russian tortoise. I've named him Trevor. We bought the vivarium and was sold a heat lamp and uvb lamp and also a heat mat and I just wanted to know if you leave the mat on over night as the guy said you should but to turn the lights off. I am just checking as I havent heard or seen this on the internet, thanks! Do I leave the mat on heat overnight?

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Charlie Roche - 2011-04-28
Article on your Trevor is attached just click on it. Basically they need a warm enviornment and the uvb lamp. Based on the article and the heat requirements of Trevor, I would say to leave the heat mat on overnight. Otherwise he could get cold. If you're concerned that Trevor might get too warm, just put the mat under 1/2 the enclosure and he can get cooler or warmer by just walking on over.
Midge - 2011-04-29
Please, please, please do not put your tortoise in a vivarium!!! The clue is in the name - RUSSIAN. It needs to be in a table top on a substrate mix 50/50 sand and soil. There should be an area where it can get buried down - preferably covered, with hay in it. It needs a basking stone under a UVB lamp; a heat lamp. Heat under it is DEADLY! Check the Tortoise Trust state, but whatever you do, DO NOT USE THE HEAT PAD.
Anonymous - 2012-05-21
i have a heat pad but its not below him its next to his rock. i also have the heat lamp. but putting heat under almost any reptile is VERY DEADLY!!
Jeremy Roche - 2012-05-21
I have always used the ones that stick to the bottom of tank and actually heat the substrate so it doesn't get too hot and spreads out a bit more.
susan - 2013-03-23
Heat mat should not be used. Just use half top soil and half sand or crushed walnut shells is what I use. And your lamps. No heat mat.

Frania - 2013-01-17
Hi. I live in New Mexico, my son has a sulcata tortoise which he left with me when he moved to California four months ago. Joey did very well when we lived in California, but when we moved to NM, the winters are very cold here. Anyway, I have tried very hard to keep her inside, with a heat rock and Heating pad to keep her warm. She did all right until two days ago, when I checked her she was very cold and did not move for me. She stopped eating about two days ago also. Today I ,checked on her and there was blood coming from her mouth and we now know she has passed away. We are all very sad and I had to call my son in California and tell him Joey had died. We have had her since she was size two by two and is now fourteen years old. I know that is still young, but we lost her anyway. Could she have frozen or maybe something else? Just wanted people to know they are very hard in the cold weather. Thanks for listening.

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Kaimana Misshmacon - 2013-03-14
Yes sorry I believe your tortise was to cold...these are animals that need sun..

Joey - 2011-01-15
Hi, I have a Sulcata Tortoise for approximately 20 years. It was given to me as a present in my 2nd birthday and I am now 22.
Until Last year I lived in a large flat with a patio, where she had a lot of space. Now I moved to a smaller apartment but still there's room for her to move in a sort of laundry room with a large window where she gets sunlight. Recently I've seen her very uneasy and wants to come inside desperately. We've given her watermelon, lettuce, but she only eats a little and starts moving very fast.
Is there anything wrong?

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Heather - 2011-06-07
I am not an expert, but I have done much research on all sorts of tortoise and turtle species. I personally own a Sulcata- she is now 4 years old and she had the same problem. (Well she never quit eating! LOL but she became reclusive and such) Anyway, I decided she wanted a bigger home, so I had my husband to build her a very large tank which I keep indoors and she has completely changed and is a happy girl now. So, my guess would be that your baby might want more space and probably wants a little more attention! Thats all the info I can give you. Please email me if you have further questions. Ferrariangel2011@gmail.com
Ryan sanchez - 2011-08-03
Make sure you give Romaine lettuce that's wet rinsed with tap water.
Erica - 2011-08-14
20 years eh? Well those breeds can live up to 100 years. So it's not because age.. She's obviously sick. You need to just take her to the vet.. That's not normal.
leah - 2012-09-10
I'm no expert either, but I am a vet tech student as well as a Sulcata owner who has done some extensive research. Sulcatas should eat VERY little, if any, fruit. Dark leafy greens (like bok choy) and natural lawn grasses are best. I recommend eliminating the watermelon altogether ... There are many websites explicitly saying never to feed watermelon to a Sulcata. I'm not sure that even romaine lettuce is adequate for thier nutritional needs. They are native to the arid regions of Africa and their digestive systems are not built to process sugary, juicy fruits. Too much fruit can cause chronic diarrhea which will severely dehydrate them and cause anxiety leading to death. Sulcatas also need daily access to UVB light, either through natural, direct sunlight, or through a lamp you can purchase at a pet store ... This is critical for them to assimilate calcium for proper bone density & shell growth. Pet stores can also supply a good calcium supplement ... Just a light dusting on the food about once a week should be sufficient. Also, NO protein ... They're not designed to process that either and will cause shell deformation, as will dehydration. Sulcatas should NOT have spiky-looking shells (called pyramiding) ... This is a bad sign of very poor diet. Hope all this helps and that your Sulcata feels better.
ROBERTO - 2012-09-21
hi.i have a question. can i keep a sulcata in the same tank with a beared dragon?
Kaimana Misshmacon - 2013-03-14
Ok..everyone..Sulcats get very big..however..to big to fast is not good. .slow down the fo9d some if their 200 ponds ar 9yrs old. I raise sulcats..I have 12 now..9 juveniles. .3 adults..they SHOULD NOT live indoors..they need sun to go through their bodies. They are from S Africa..75% of their diet is grasses and hay..not alfalfa. No fruit..and occasionally a teeny treat of fruit. But prickly pear is good. They copy what they eat in Africa. .plants, make sure their safe the best are dandelion hibiscus stuff like that. Hay Bermuda. .orchard..Timothy. .I use a huge plant dish for their water..the juveniles get a little dish. They need soakings every day or so..I do it a few times a week..they are very social pets...if you can only house them indoors..plz dont get them..I have one someone kept in their kitchen 8 yrs..shes small like 25 lbs..pyramids on her shell. .my other two are like 75/80 lbs nine yrs old..shell should not pyramid...I keep learning about these daily. I have now 10 nests around my property. .. so a sale will be happening in a few mths like 8 mths from now. Keep watching. I hope this helps.

S D Lynch & Kui - 2008-07-14
Aloha from Hawaii the island of Oahu. I have a Sulcata tortoise named Kui. Kui is almost 6 years old and we have grown to become great friends. Kui and I take daily walks down our street and every one loves Kui. People find it amazing I walk a tortoise but I really enjoy it. Kui and I make new friends every day. People stop take his picture and Kui is quite a HAM LOL. About 3 years ago I was watching Kui in the back yard and I thought it would be great to write a childrens book about Kui born in African and finding his way through the African jungle and start to make his way around the world. Well to my amazement I started the book and Kui's travels has began, it was published. Titled The travels of Kui, the African Spurred Tortoise. I have found that Kui the tortoise is a very good pet and friend. I will enjoy growing old with Kui.

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ty - 2013-03-11
hey, fellow reader an just had to say kui sounds awesome :) we have two 1year old tortoise our selves lela and wiz :) an wonder how you got to get kui to be so open an just be so close with you with you? thanks an love the book!

Lauren - 2013-03-08
I have a beautiful aferican tortise named Littlefoot (named after Littlefoot in The Land Before Time). My 25 year old baby is not only smart but she is part of my life. I don't know how I would live without her.

Jenny - 2013-03-08
my tortoise is great

Joel - 2013-02-27
I have had my red foot zissou for about a month now. Firstly, he really has only taken to bananas. I'm assuming this was what he was given a majority of the time at the pet store. Is there a good way to transition him? Doesn't seem like he eats at all if there are no bananas. Secondly, he never poops in his water dish. He poops on the ground, and today i caught him eating it. I've read that this can be normal. . . . Is it?

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Jasmine Brough Hinesley - 2013-02-27
I would suggest continuing to offer him a wide variety of foods, with few bananas. I would hope that over time he would warm up to other types of foods as well. I would also keep an eye on his stools - if they are excessively runny then he is probably not getting the proper nutrients. It is normal for tortoises to eat their stool sometimes too. Yours may be getting additional nutrients from it.

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