Aber's That Own Tortoise

[josaphine32]

Hope you can help, this is a post from my daughter, she is currently working at st tiggywinkles wildlife hospital and working in the visitors center, she has wanted a tortoise for a while and since working with them and understanding thrm a bit more she would like one of her own. So a few questions before she goes into it:
1.size, she works with one who is 12 years old and when fully grown will be the size of a tyre we obviously dont want one that will end up being that size, maybe 14 inches maximum !
2.hybernation we have heard it is quite difficult/dangerous to hybernate a tortoise is this true ? And what is the best way to house it at that time a shed with heat lights, in the house? The ones at the wildlife hospital like in a large wendy house type shed with heated lamps is this safe all winter?
3.can all tortoises go in the garden during the day?
Any ideas
Thanks

[Mass_Hysteria]

Can't help personally but this may....

http://www.tortoisecare.org/

[rsvp]

josaphine - I've recently become the carer of four tortoise - two of one type and one each of a different type - they are absolutely delightful but if you want to keep any species correcly then I strongly advise you to contact your local tortoise group for advice - it is not just a case of offering a lettuce leaf as I'm sure you appreciate. The first thing to do is to indentify the species - this determins the diet and environment and you can go from there. As far as ' can they go in the garden during the day' - it depends on the garden and the breed of tortoise - please do a lot of research before you get one and check out the legality of the purchase.

[woofgang]

I have got tortoises, (whitei) and they are not hard work but not easy to keep.
1. I bet the one she works with is a sulcata or a leopard, they are not types which hibernate.
2. Hibernation is not dangerous, keeping the tortoise awake all winter is because the ones which hibernate in the wild are not designed to do this.
3 Tortoises can go outside when its warm and sunny but they need a LARGE SECURE enclosure with suitable plants as many are toxic to tortoises. Tortoises can both climb and dig and move FAST
They must be protected (kept apart from) from dogs who tend to view them as chew toys.
After bad husbandry (poor care) dog bite is the single biggest cause of tortoise death and illness in the UK. One bite is enough and it can be done in seconds
Tortoises that are sold through shops and dealers are farmed in europe and imported. They usually have worms and may also have other more serious diseases. They are imported boxed and chilled like meat and i wouldn't want to support the trade. If she wants one she should find a reputable breeder. She should be prepared for the third degree on care and housing. If she gets "here's a tortoise, give me money" she should decline and leave, no one who cares for their tortoises will do that. Baby tortoises live in heated well lit tables, think of a book case flipped onto its back with the shelves removed and stood on a table, she will need to have room for this and be able to afford the heat and light, Its important to not allow the babe to eat to much as they will outgrow the shell and become deformed
loads of good advice here
http://www.tortoisetrust.org
and here
http://www.tlady.clara.net/id16.htm
any more questions, give me a shout

[paddywak]

Re woofgangs post. My old nieghbour used to have several tortoise which he used to put out on his back lawn during the summer in specially built runs and it always amazed me just how fast they could move. I mean it was no wander they beat the hare.

[josaphine32]

Thanks all, It won't be a rushed decision, She is gathering as much information as possible at the moment, and will wait till one needs rehoming,

[ummmm]

Woof - my dad had a dog and a tortoise. The tortoise used to sleep on the dog in front of the fire.

[Frank97]

Hibernating them in a fridge is a good idea
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/Refrigerator.htm
Wish I'd known of this when I had them, perhaps I'd still have them today.

[woofgang]

umm there are always exceptions. The problem is that it only takes one bite and a few seconds and no second chances for the tortoise. I would never risk it.

[woofgang]

another good website here
http://www.thetortoisehouse.com

a yahoo email group
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/TortoiseFriends/

a rehoming group
http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/131.asp

The other thing that you can do is to check where your nearest specialist tortoise vet is. Good tortoise vets still aren't common and its best to know where yours is ahead of time....although St Tiggy's may already know of one.

[josaphine32]

Thanks woofgang, when needed tortoise will go to chipping norton vets, were they have 2 vets 1 exotic/ 1 Zoo 45 miles away from us but have been amazing with our ferrets, I am also looking to go to northampton reptile center soon, for further information, I have kept bearded dragons in the past, but this is daughters post, will keep you informed and thanks to all that have posted you have all helped, you would be suprised how many need homes.

[woofgang]

tortoises? no not really. they are the lucky ones when folk realise they can't do it, the unlucky ones die. Oh and never ever keep a tortoise in a vivarium, its far too humid.

[murraymints]

No no mine died..in spite of best care....no. .....

[woofgang]

sorry murray, i dont understand.

[serefosa]

Hi Josephine,
When I was 8 I had a tortoise in London (Chiswick). I don't remember too much about it (I'm 70 now) but I do recall it was small at the time. We used to put it in the garden during the day and had it for about a year before we moved to NZ. Only trouble was he used to get into the neighbours vegie garden an eat all the vegies! Made a great pet though. I'm not much help really.
Ruth

[Angelanorfolk]

To own one tortoise is cruel. The Chelonian Society will be able to advise you properly. My view is that being the only tortoise in someone's home or garden must feel like being the only human on an uninhabited planet.

[woofgang]

In fact, in the wild tortoises are not social creatures and only seek each other out to mate.