Dear Galapagos Tortoise Owner,
There are numerous Galapagos Tortoises afflicted with swellings in the neck and edema in the United States as well as on the Galapagos Islands. They are in private collections, zoos, and other institutions, all living in different climates and with different husbandry practices, but yet all afflicted with the same condition. There have been numerous hypotheses regarding this condition, biopsies and necropsies have been performed but there has been no consensus as to why this is occurring, what the condition is, or most importantly how to cure it. To date, no public studies have been conducted to confirm any of these hypotheses.
Thanks to a private benefactor who has graciously agreed to fund this study, the root cause of this condition will hopefully be determined. The goal of this much needed study is to determine the cause and resolution of the unexplained swelling(s) and edema of the currently afflicted tortoises and also preventing the condition from occurring in the future. These animals are depending on us!
Please complete the attached “Galapagos Tortoise Study Questionnaireâ€. This questionnaire covers health and history questions on your tortoise. Your detailed information is very important as this will determine the direction and focal points of the study. Once all questionnaires are compiled this data will be formally presented to several research institutions for their consideration.
As with any study, the more animals that participate, the greater chance of success. Please forward this cover letter as well as the attached accompanying questionnaire to other Galapagos owners whether they are experiencing this condition or not, all data is important and needed.
This medical condition is causing the premature deaths of many animals. Please return your completed questionnaire as soon as possible. Together we can make a difference in the lives of these animals!
I will keep you updated as information becomes available. Feel free to email or call me any time.
Thank you!!!!!
Wendy DeBevoise
[email protected]
602 670-5939
GALAPAGOS TORTOISE STUDY
QUESTIONNAIRE
Thank you for your participation in the Galapagos Tortoise Study. This condition afflicts Galapagos Tortoises all over the world, including on the Galapagos Islands.
The more information and details that you can give the better our success will be in discovering not only the root cause of this deadly condition but also a cure! We are not looking for right information, just real data that can be used to determine the focal points of the study. Please know that all of your data, details, specific information and photos will contribute to helping to determine what is causing and hopefully reversing this condition. Your detailed and specific husbandry information could mean the difference between life and death of tortoises in future generations.
We owe it to these animals to solve this health concern. Thank you for your care and commitment to the world’s greatest gentle giants!!
Special Instructions:
Please complete one Questionnaire per animal. In addition, PLEASE include photos of the entire animal and also of the swelling/lump with a ruler or tape measure next to the swelling/lump.
​
TORTOISE’S NAME____________________________________
1. Hatch Date:
2. Where hatched (breeder, city, state):
3. Current city, state of residence: Length of time in this location?
4. Sex (if known):
5. Current Weight (if available):
6. Straight Carapace Length in inches:
7. How long have you owned or cared for the above animal? Can you forward this questionnaire to any previous owner(s)?
8. Is he/she housed indoors and/or outdoors? How does it vary over the year and what temperature parameters (day and night)? Please be specific, if he/she has access to both please specify the approximate percent of time spent in each location.
9. How many hours of direct sunlight does he/she receive in a day? UV lighting if inside, what type and how many hours?
10. Does he/she have daily access to grazing? Percentage of diet?
11. What type(s) of grass? Percentage of diet?
12. What types of plants and/or weeds does he/she have access to? (Botanically speaking, the genus and species designation is preferred) Percentage of diet?
13. Is hay offered? What type? How much? How often? Percentage of diet?
14. Does he/she have access to drinking water daily? Is the water chlorinated, well water, rain collected, or other?
15. How often is he/she fed supplemental food? Daily, weekly, occasionally, etc. please be specific.
15a. Exactly what types of food are offered? Please be specific and list all foods even if only given occasionally. (Store produce, home grown, etc.)
16. Is he/she fed supplemental vitamins, minerals, proteins etc.? If so, for each type, list brand name, generic name, manufacturer, strength (mg/dosage), and frequency (daily, weekly, etc.)
17. Do you provide heated accommodations during cold, inclement weather? If so, to what temperature is the accommodation heated? What method of heating is used?
18. Did he/she previously share common space with other species? If so, state the name and number of each such species as well as the length of time together.
18a. Is he/she currently sharing common space with other species? If so, state the name and number of each such species, as well as the length of time together.
19. At what age was the swelling/lump first noticed?
19a. What part of the anatomy was the swelling/lump first observed, neck, legs, etc.?
19b. Date of occurrence of swelling/lump, or time of year: (spring, summer, fall, winter)
19c. Has the swelling/lump ever increased or decreased in size? If so, was it a rapid or gradual increase/decrease?
19d. If the swelling/lump decreased, for how long did the swelling/lump remain decreased?
19e. Upon palpation, (touch) does the swelling/lump feel hard, soft, painful or not?
19f. Is the swelling/lump the same temperature as the body?
20. Is edema (puffy, fluid accumulation under the skin) present?
20a. Where is the edema? Neck, legs, etc.
20b. Did the edema occur before or after the swelling/lump was noticed?
20c. Has the edema changed? (increased/decreased)
21. Do you have any past medical records including blood work, pathology reports, or other medical reports that you feel could be important? If so, please attach.
Additional Comments: (Please include any additional information that you feel is important)
Once Again, THANK YOU, for your invaluable and generous contribution to this very important study.
Please email the completed Questionnaire to [email protected]. THANK YOU!!
There are numerous Galapagos Tortoises afflicted with swellings in the neck and edema in the United States as well as on the Galapagos Islands. They are in private collections, zoos, and other institutions, all living in different climates and with different husbandry practices, but yet all afflicted with the same condition. There have been numerous hypotheses regarding this condition, biopsies and necropsies have been performed but there has been no consensus as to why this is occurring, what the condition is, or most importantly how to cure it. To date, no public studies have been conducted to confirm any of these hypotheses.
Thanks to a private benefactor who has graciously agreed to fund this study, the root cause of this condition will hopefully be determined. The goal of this much needed study is to determine the cause and resolution of the unexplained swelling(s) and edema of the currently afflicted tortoises and also preventing the condition from occurring in the future. These animals are depending on us!
Please complete the attached “Galapagos Tortoise Study Questionnaireâ€. This questionnaire covers health and history questions on your tortoise. Your detailed information is very important as this will determine the direction and focal points of the study. Once all questionnaires are compiled this data will be formally presented to several research institutions for their consideration.
As with any study, the more animals that participate, the greater chance of success. Please forward this cover letter as well as the attached accompanying questionnaire to other Galapagos owners whether they are experiencing this condition or not, all data is important and needed.
This medical condition is causing the premature deaths of many animals. Please return your completed questionnaire as soon as possible. Together we can make a difference in the lives of these animals!
I will keep you updated as information becomes available. Feel free to email or call me any time.
Thank you!!!!!
Wendy DeBevoise
[email protected]
602 670-5939
GALAPAGOS TORTOISE STUDY
QUESTIONNAIRE
Thank you for your participation in the Galapagos Tortoise Study. This condition afflicts Galapagos Tortoises all over the world, including on the Galapagos Islands.
The more information and details that you can give the better our success will be in discovering not only the root cause of this deadly condition but also a cure! We are not looking for right information, just real data that can be used to determine the focal points of the study. Please know that all of your data, details, specific information and photos will contribute to helping to determine what is causing and hopefully reversing this condition. Your detailed and specific husbandry information could mean the difference between life and death of tortoises in future generations.
We owe it to these animals to solve this health concern. Thank you for your care and commitment to the world’s greatest gentle giants!!
Special Instructions:
Please complete one Questionnaire per animal. In addition, PLEASE include photos of the entire animal and also of the swelling/lump with a ruler or tape measure next to the swelling/lump.
​
TORTOISE’S NAME____________________________________
1. Hatch Date:
2. Where hatched (breeder, city, state):
3. Current city, state of residence: Length of time in this location?
4. Sex (if known):
5. Current Weight (if available):
6. Straight Carapace Length in inches:
7. How long have you owned or cared for the above animal? Can you forward this questionnaire to any previous owner(s)?
8. Is he/she housed indoors and/or outdoors? How does it vary over the year and what temperature parameters (day and night)? Please be specific, if he/she has access to both please specify the approximate percent of time spent in each location.
9. How many hours of direct sunlight does he/she receive in a day? UV lighting if inside, what type and how many hours?
10. Does he/she have daily access to grazing? Percentage of diet?
11. What type(s) of grass? Percentage of diet?
12. What types of plants and/or weeds does he/she have access to? (Botanically speaking, the genus and species designation is preferred) Percentage of diet?
13. Is hay offered? What type? How much? How often? Percentage of diet?
14. Does he/she have access to drinking water daily? Is the water chlorinated, well water, rain collected, or other?
15. How often is he/she fed supplemental food? Daily, weekly, occasionally, etc. please be specific.
15a. Exactly what types of food are offered? Please be specific and list all foods even if only given occasionally. (Store produce, home grown, etc.)
16. Is he/she fed supplemental vitamins, minerals, proteins etc.? If so, for each type, list brand name, generic name, manufacturer, strength (mg/dosage), and frequency (daily, weekly, etc.)
17. Do you provide heated accommodations during cold, inclement weather? If so, to what temperature is the accommodation heated? What method of heating is used?
18. Did he/she previously share common space with other species? If so, state the name and number of each such species as well as the length of time together.
18a. Is he/she currently sharing common space with other species? If so, state the name and number of each such species, as well as the length of time together.
19. At what age was the swelling/lump first noticed?
19a. What part of the anatomy was the swelling/lump first observed, neck, legs, etc.?
19b. Date of occurrence of swelling/lump, or time of year: (spring, summer, fall, winter)
19c. Has the swelling/lump ever increased or decreased in size? If so, was it a rapid or gradual increase/decrease?
19d. If the swelling/lump decreased, for how long did the swelling/lump remain decreased?
19e. Upon palpation, (touch) does the swelling/lump feel hard, soft, painful or not?
19f. Is the swelling/lump the same temperature as the body?
20. Is edema (puffy, fluid accumulation under the skin) present?
20a. Where is the edema? Neck, legs, etc.
20b. Did the edema occur before or after the swelling/lump was noticed?
20c. Has the edema changed? (increased/decreased)
21. Do you have any past medical records including blood work, pathology reports, or other medical reports that you feel could be important? If so, please attach.
Additional Comments: (Please include any additional information that you feel is important)
Once Again, THANK YOU, for your invaluable and generous contribution to this very important study.
Please email the completed Questionnaire to [email protected]. THANK YOU!!