Dead Reptile

[Razzle09]

Box tortoise has just died. What would be quickest way to decomposure - bury or leave above ground? Any other suggestions?

[4skin]

dfinately above but if you are wanting to keep the shell I would keep an eye on it.. it might go walkies

[dot.haukes]

how did it die? Were yoiu there? you should have taken it to your vet then you would not have to worry about disposal. how old was it?

[4skin]

I say keep it and use the shell as decor.

[wildwood]

You'll need to google the taxidermy sites for further info as it is not as simple as leaving it somewhere.

I believe beetles may be the best way to remove the soft tissue but best to get expert opinions.

The carapace is NOT normal skeleton bone so will decompose (if only partially) as well if buried. The 'sections' on the shell are in fact scales and may lift, if not prepared properly.

[Razzle09]

Many thanks for you answers. She was in the family for over 30 years and we estimate that she may have been in her seventies. She usually hibernated in the garden but came out of early. She hibernated in the earth for about 7 months of the year and every year we were anxious that she would not survive. She was lying in her usual state with her head lying out - in repose. I thought I might keep the shell as a memoir of her but it's not that important. Did not realise that the carapace could also decompose. I have left her in a secluded place in the garden covered with leaves. I'll maybe check up on her after the summer. There's an old saying, " A lady always knows when to leave." and she was a Grande Dame.

[rabbitygirl]

My childhood tortoise died and was duly buried. Many years later my dad accidentally dug up the remains. Just the shell remained. This started to fall apart as it reemerged and was fascinating to see how all the 'squares' linked together via tiny teeth like a puzzle.

I posted about this before to a mix of laughter and yuk and I'm not sure why.

[Ice.Maiden]

Aww...I love tortoises. Sorry you've lost your grand old lady, but if you want to save the carapace, I agree with wildwood. A taxidermist might be the right person to consult. If you bury her or leave her above ground, the carpace could split or spoil in some way, especially as insects - and birds (if above ground) would naturally move to feed on the soft tissue remaining, and perhaps damage the shell. Sorry to put it in that way, but I hope you can salvage something to remember your pet by. If not, then a vet'd should be able to take her off you.

[Razzle09]

Thanks for your kind responses. Reptiles are a kind of an acquired taste (as pets I mean). I had one for a long time in childhood and as it disappeared never knew what happened. Would like to keep the shell as a reminder. She was a free ranger; an outdoor girl and I will miss her. Will contact a taxidermist as suggested. I think I'm relucant to do so simply because - people tend to laugh, but what the Hell- not everyone can form a relationship with a tortoise. lol

[slinkycat]

Hi Razzle, can totally sympathise, one of my lads decided a few years ago to get a Hermanns, he saved all his birthday and chistmas money, plus paper round money for ages.
He eventually got a tortoise, a youngster, and he was so lovely!
We did everything by the book, started him in a vivarium, then gradually moved him outside, and hibernated him in an insulated box in a fridge, as recommended.
He was thriving, then suddenly died during hibernation the winter before last:-(
We'd had him for about 5 years and had definitely formed a relationship with him, I can't look at a photo of a tortoise without a lump coming to my throat!
We buried him in the garden, don't think I'd want to preserve the shell, but each to his own:-)

[tamborine]

I have a stuffed tortoise I found in a skip. It's intact but for a hole in top of shell with an insert metal lid to stand a pot. It was a shocking find but I kept it as couldn't bear it buried/wasted in land-fill. It stands on its legs with head extended erect and 12inches in all.

Not everyone's taste - hence it was binned but it has a home with me.

[Razzle09]

woeful for children when they loss a pet especially a tortoise as they are so expensive now. As for the ornament that Tambourine found ,I like the idea - wouldn't do it myself. I do have a fox fur, have it for over 20 years. Could not bear to burn it when animal rights had the 'Throw out your dead' campaign.

[angiealf]

First of all my condolences on losing a loved pet. Many years ago (at least 25) our beloved tortoise died, we wanted to keep the shell so my father hid it well from sight behind a load of plants in the garden (not buried).Every couple of months my father checked it, eventually after what seemed a life time he brought it in nature had done the job wonderfully, all traces of flesh had disappeared. We then covered the shell inside and out with multiple layers of gloss varnish. We still have the shell now it looks just like it did back then.

[Razzle09]

angiealf many thanks for your reply. Will certainly try as you suggest. Haven't the heart to look at her and will do so after summer. Hopefully by then I'll be able to bring her in.