Hi, I have had my Hermans tortoise for about eighteen months, and I am worried that she is growing too fast. She is approximately four years old, weighs 800g and measures just over 15cm from one end of her shell to the other (measuring flat).
I am worried because comparing her shell to photos of other tortoises hers seems more ridged.
She is fed on dandelion leaves, watercress, sometimes bagged babyleaf salad, with occasional tomato, cucumber and the odd strawberry.
I give her a pinch of t-rex tortoise dust on her food twice a week.
I use hemp bedding which she seems fine with.
Please can anyone tell me if I am doing anything wrong, everything I am doing is just as I was advised initially but I am sure she should not be this big...
according to the jackson ratio the average weight should be around 700gms for a 15cm meds tortoise
it is not a good idea to feed strawberry or tomato and if you have to resort to shop bought salad bags, then go for floretti salad.
Weeds and wildflowers are really the best to feed for your little fella to thrive and food should be supplemented wth vitamins and calcium daily
i sprinkle limestone flour (calcium) 5 days a week and nutrobal (vitamins) the other 2 days
hemp substrate? hmm this is debatable but i use it myself and have had no problem with it, much more advice here, just look through older threads or ask questions
Hi Milli74, Welcome to the Tortoise World. Post some pics of your little fella so that we can see, if your tort has a bumpy shell, if so there is not a lot that can be done apart from feeding the right diet and vitamins, it will lesson with age but never be reversed.
(09-21-2009 06:58 PM)sky Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Milli74, Welcome to the Tortoise World. Post some pics of your little fella so that we can see, if your tort has a bumpy shell, if so there is not a lot that can be done apart from feeding the right diet and vitamins, it will lesson with age but never be reversed.
Ok here is a picture I have just taken..
Thanks for your replies.
(09-22-2009 10:23 AM)milli74 Wrote: [ -> ] (09-21-2009 06:58 PM)sky Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Milli74, Welcome to the Tortoise World. Post some pics of your little fella so that we can see, if your tort has a bumpy shell, if so there is not a lot that can be done apart from feeding the right diet and vitamins, it will lesson with age but never be reversed.
Ok here is a picture I have just taken..
Thanks for your replies.
Sorry - I don't know why it's so big! But at least you can see clearly what I am worried about..
i've seen worse at 4years old, he's not too bad really but will get lots worse and is likely to become ill if you don't change his habits, glad you've found this forum
diet and supplement is very important, it can be a little daunting for you until you get to recongise all the edible weeds, why not take pics for us to id for you, things can only get better now
you can grow and feed your own too, have a look at this for high quality and cheap
http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/tortoiseloveseeds
by the way, i think your little fella is lovely
(09-22-2009 10:35 AM)wilsonathome Wrote: [ -> ]i've seen worse at 4years old, he's not too bad really but will get lots worse and is likely to become ill if you don't change his habits, glad you've found this forum diet and supplement is very important, it can be a little daunting for you until you get to recongise all the edible weeds, why not take pics for us to id for you, things can only get better now
you can grow and feed your own too, have a look at this for high quality and cheap http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/tortoiseloveseeds
by the way, i think your little fella is lovely
Oh thank you - she is gorgeous - the whole family loves her, even the cat!
I am relieved to hear it's not too bad, I was really worried. I have just ordered some seeds from ebay this morning, I don't think it was the same one but the seller said they are ideal for hermanns so I will definately be doing that.
I have another couple of questions - the calcium supplement, is that calcium carbonate powder? Or is there a difference?
And, I was reading about people bathing their tortoises - mine sits in her water sometimes by choice, and normally poos in it, but I have never purposely sat her in it - is that something I should be doing?
Reading this forum makes me feel really ignorant, sorry!
that's what they normally do, mucky little thing, mess the water up :rolleye: limestone flour is what most people use, bathing is recommended to keep them hydrated about 2-3 times a week for approx 15mins
Thanks for your help - am glad I found the forum