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Vygoda
Platinum Member
United Arab Emirates
1627 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 2:59:42 PM
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I came in from the supermarket and the neighbourhood kids were kicking a 'ball'. Nope, it was a tortoise. It's now with me to accompany my rescue dog, cat, and parrot  . It's about the size of my hand and looks very healthy.
But how do you look after a tortoise? Bedding, food, etc? And of course a name!!
Any info greatly appreciated from you tortoise experts. And thanks in advance.
Oh, don't forget I live in Abu Dhabi and it's very hot at the minute plus I have no garden but there is a shaded area where the garage is supposed to be.
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Reagarth
Bronze Member
England
92 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 3:04:19 PM
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Hiya
I've got a very good friend who is a tortoise 'expert' and can put you in touch if you like? At least it's in the right climate - I had a rescue one for a while and a real pain to look after in the UK winters!
Judith |
Reagarth Arabians |
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Sue J
Gold Member
Wales
914 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 3:12:47 PM
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Funnily enough went to this place on Saturday http://www.owlcentre.com/ although the main attraction there was the owls, they also have lots of other animals, birds etc, they also had several tortoises of different types and we were chatting to the owner who was telling us how much it cost to keep them warm particularly in winter, at least you'll have the heat there, but they do need shade as well. Didn't ask him what they ate, but I think they're veggie and grass suits them fine. If you're really stuck why not e-mail them and ask their advice, the owner seemed a very knowlegable chap and i'm sure he would be happy to advise you. Alternatively i'm sure there'll be some info on the web somewhere.
Visited Abu Dhabi in March and it was very hot then so must be now.
Good luck Sue |
Welshpool
Welsh/Shrops border
   
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Lila
Gold Member
Netherlands
1097 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 3:16:51 PM
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Hi Jane,
When I was a little girl I used to own one. I had him for years until the neighbours grandchildren let him run away, we never found him again. In the winter he used to sleep under the CV, we were not to wake him and in spring, summertime he used to go out with the rabbits and guinea pigs in our secluded garden. He used to eat everything, from strawberries till worms etc. He did not eat in winter. My mum used to bathe him in a bit of water so he could pee and pooh, he was not under water, but just the lower half of him.
Can you put a pic on here from the little one??
Good luck with it.
Monique |
M. Lankhaar |
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LYNDILOU
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
13976 Posts |
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Vygoda
Platinum Member
United Arab Emirates
1627 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 3:25:52 PM
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Think I might go to the vet's tomorrow as they might have tortoise food with nutrients. Oh and it's a spur thighed tortoise from North Africa - found that on the web.
Please keep the advice coming, all useful. Any contacts would be good too.
I am useless at posting pictures, sorry.
Jane
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Vygoda
Platinum Member
United Arab Emirates
1627 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 3:42:09 PM
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| Tobias is the name of one of my grandsons Lynda!! So can't |
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Joto
Gold Member
855 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 3:51:24 PM
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| Ptolomy the tortoise. I think they might need a special food but not sure, where do they originate and what do they eat in the wild I wonder. Well done for rescuing him, horrid children. |
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Joto
Gold Member
855 Posts |
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Joto
Gold Member
855 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 3:57:13 PM
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| just read that they eat mainly grasses and hay and in captivity are often given too much lettuce tomato etc when they need a high fibre diet. sound just like horses! it says they are herbivores. |
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Joto
Gold Member
855 Posts |
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MinHe
Platinum Member
England
2927 Posts |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 6:00:44 PM
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I always wnated a tortoise!!
Call him Coach (as in slow coach) 
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- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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sarahjo
Silver Member
England
262 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 8:19:51 PM
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Ahhh poor thing - being kicked around!
I used to have a tropical tortoise years ago until he ran away  (or someone knicked him out my gargen) called George like the one on Blue Peter. What ever happened to the one on Blue Peter?
Anyway being a tropical one they don't hibernate and I used to have mine in a tank with a light bulb on. But should be fine in hot weather.
They eat lettice, tomatoes, cucumber, dandilions, that kind of thing.
To be honest with you though I don't think vets are partically knowledgable when it comes to 'exotic' pets - they don't see them very often. Better to find a specialist online maybe?
Oh if it's got a long tail it's a boy.
Sarah
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saraholdershaw@hotmail.com
www.arabianhalternatives.com
Nottingham |
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haggis
Silver Member
England
278 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 10:02:35 PM
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This is the only breed of tortoise I have dealt with in our vet practice......in Cumbria. " Baby" the tortoise was fed fruit and vegetables and didn't need to hibernate. He lived in the conservatory and was allowed out on nice days. They do grow quite large!!! Baby suvived being run over by his owner 
This is him having his physio in our vet practice!! |
    
CUMBRIA |
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Arabian Girl
Platinum Member
England
2893 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 11:54:16 PM
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| My tortoise use to like to bathe in shallow water on a hot day,,i use to fill the lid up on a large biscuit tin with water and he used to rest in it,,lol......his name was Tipton,,,,,,as in Glen Tipton from Judas Priest and yes i did used to be a rocker......haha,,great foto haggis btw.xx |
   
Posting from Billinge Wigan |
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shanaz
Bronze Member
England
84 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2009 : 11:57:48 PM
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I have a tortoise, a young meditteraen one. He lives in a heated tank with uv lights so he doesn't hibernate. Hes allowed out in the garden in the summer (in the day) in a dog/cat proof pen, and his diet consists of various salads. They are not meant to have too much tomato and must never have iceberg lettuce. We bed him on some pet bedding which is like a form of pellet (pony nut type) which are safe to him. Our last tortoise was kept on wood chip and he ate some and died.  |
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Rozy Rider
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4545 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 01:29:29 AM
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We had a couple at home in the UK when I was a child, a long time ago. I remember we collected Dandilion flowers and leaves, clover and groundsell for them. They roamed free in the garden and paddled a lot.
I also worked with a chap who had got a couple that were 90+ years old.
Good Luck
Sue
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Sue
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Vygoda
Platinum Member
United Arab Emirates
1627 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 07:06:25 AM
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Hello Everybody,
I am taking it to the vet's this pm. I rang last night about special food, and they said they have a huge list of approved clients who would like a tortoise if I didn't want to keep it. Plus there is a turtle club here - amazed!!
The poor chap seems to be traumatised (keep checking to see if he is alive!!), and because I know nothing, I have decided to let him go to a knowledgeable home.
Thanks for your input and time.
Jane
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Vera
Membership Moderator
United Kingdom
8652 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 11:39:51 AM
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Thank you Jane, for taking the time to help the little chap or chapess  |
    
Hampshire |
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