Hi everybody!

AZTorts

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Jul 22, 2014
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139
Location (City and/or State)
Arizona
Hibernation is a controversial subject and many people have strong opinions one way or the other. From what I have seen, they are fine if you do, and they are fine if you don't, but in either case, it must be done right. If you don't hibernate them, you are going to need a large indoor space for them.

As for them living outside full time, I don't go by age. I go by size. Usually around 4-5" for DTs. My preference is to have a large suitable indoor enclosure where they can live full time if need be. Then I make a large safe outdoor enclosure and put them outside in fair weather. New hatchlings only go out for an hour or two. As they gain size they stay outdoors longer and longer each day. By the time they are around 4" I usually put them out in the morning and bring them in at night. I wait for late spring time to move them outside full time and I make sure they have proper housing outdoors too. Either a heated secure night box, or an underground "burrow" of some sort.

When babies are started dry as yours were, they often grow much slower than "average", but not always. So you might need large indoor housing for two or three years.

Well I've started soaking them more frequently and for 30 minutes instead of the 15 minutes I had been soaking them for. They want out of the bin though. I don't think they're happy with me at this point. LOL It's only been 2 days with their new routine. Can I expect to see any improvement in their shells or is the damage already done and what I'm doing will just prevent them from getting worse?

This is the one that didn't even open his eyes when I got them. This picture was taken in May, just a few days after I brought them home. He looks so sick and he was. I thought I was going to lose him. Now he's all over the place. This picture also really shows the extent of the pyramiding which until you told me I didn't even know wasn't normal.
Torts on buttons 017.JPG
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
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With more humidity and hydration, the new growth will come in smoother and the shell will look better and better over time. The current growth will never be corrected, but it will fade in time and with abrasion when they start living underground.
 

AZTorts

Active Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
139
Location (City and/or State)
Arizona
Okay, thanks once again Tom. This is a picture I took of him this morning. He's come a long way in his recovery....Eyes open, walking, look of determination on his face..LOL

Baby Torts 014.JPG
 
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sillyfurby

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Jul 25, 2014
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32
I guess I'll just jump right in with a quick intro. I am new to the world of desert tortoises, however I have 2 box turtle rescues that I've had for going on 3 years. I wasn't looking to get tortoises but it just kinda happened the way so many things in life do. I went to buy a cactus in May and came home with 4 desert tortoises that were 'gifted' to me. They will be a year old in Sept. Then my tortoise research began. One of the first things I learned through my research is that there is a whole lot of disagreement when it comes to what to feed them. What one source says to feed them, another source says to never feed them. What mine all seem to love the most is grapevine leaves. Please don't tell me they're bad for them. LOL

Anyway, I have an inside terrarium where I keep them at night or if I'm not home to be able to go out every few minutes to check on them. I put them outside in a small area separate from the turtles. It is fully enclosed with a roof...lots of shade. I check on them all the time when they are out there because they seem to get themselves into odd predicaments. Their enclosure is a work in progress. As soon as they are outside they really come to life until it gets too warm, then they nap. LOL They all have different personalities too.

This looks like a fun and informative site. I'm looking forward to digging through it for information as time allows. I have so many questions.... I will be looking through the threads on here to see if I can find my answers without asking what may be a bunch of redundant questions.

Regards,
Michele
Hi, Michele. Enjoy your shelled critters with a happy heart.
 

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