- Joined
- Jul 16, 2014
- Messages
- 29,130
- Location (City and/or State)
- South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
Why was I summoned from my slumber?
Indeed, it most indisputably appears that in fact, you were, and might I venture to further elucidate upon that revelation by suggesting that you might possibly feel rather flattered by such a bold and innovative intrusion upon your somnolence.Why was I summoned from my slumber?
Here in the states crushed oyster shell is sold in feed stores for chickens. Have you tried to find it in a feed store?Thank you. I am unfamiliar with what varieties of crushed oyster shell that you have access to in America, but I would assume that your selection is superior to what I have where I currently live. Flat oyster shell would have been preferable, but I've never seen it available. I'll explore your link later for a better frame of reference.
Soo sorry TammyJ.Don't forget @TammyJ
Why was I summoned from my slumber?
Indeed, it most indisputably appears that in fact, you were, and might I venture to further elucidate upon that revelation by suggesting that you might possibly feel rather flattered by such a bold and innovative intrusion upon your somnolence.
Word salad. My employees use them on me all the time. lolIt’s too early for me for those words!!!!
Try me on a Tuesday. 😟🤕
Here in the states crushed oyster shell is sold in feed stores for chickens. Have you tried to find it in a feed store?
I asked my friend, Google, if one can buy CRUSHED oyster shell in Canada and what came back online was Amazon, Canada, and the product they sell is what you already have, what looks like little rocks. So I'm thinking it may not be available up there.
Actually, I would like to contribute meaningfully to this thread by asking a question that had been lurking in the murky recesses of my brain from the early phases: what is it with Egyptian tortoises and oyster shells? Why this substrate for just this species?
I hope you will continue to share photos and information about your tortoises. I also have Egyptians and I soak up all the information I can get.This little guy is the absolute coolest.
I have a feeling you are not going to get an answer to that question, Tammy.Actually, I would like to contribute meaningfully to this thread by asking a question that had been lurking in the murky recesses of my brain from the early phases: what is it with Egyptian tortoises and oyster shells? Why this substrate for just this species?
I agree Tammy...I know people in Oregon who keep Egyptians on fine grade orchid bark...and they seem fineI have a feeling you are not going to get an answer to that question, Tammy.
Actually, I would like to contribute meaningfully to this thread by asking a question that had been lurking in the murky recesses of my brain from the early phases: what is it with Egyptian tortoises and oyster shells? Why this substrate for just this species?
Thank you! I totally understand this now. So I can also understand why people insist that, for example, Sulcata tortoises should be kept on sand, being "desert" tortoises!? So the case for Egyptian tortoises to be kept on oyster shell in either crushed or "rocks" form, is based on flawed "tradition"!?It was used initially to try to mimic what was believed to be their natural habitat. And since then, inertia. They're rarer, more expensive tortoises so fewer people with experience with them, or willing to stray from 'what works.'
I've always wondered that too.Actually, I would like to contribute meaningfully to this thread by asking a question that had been lurking in the murky recesses of my brain from the early phases: what is it with Egyptian tortoises and oyster shells? Why this substrate for just this species?
I am not an expert by any means but what I understand from all of my research is that many very long time successful keepers and breeders of Egyptian tortoises keep them on crushed oyster shell. Many of us who are new keepers are learning from and replicating their success. I haven’t heard of any long term successful keepers keeping them on orchid bark while I know that is used very successfully for many other tortoises. I hope we hear from some of the long term Egyptian keepers in this thread.Thank you! I totally understand this now. So I can also understand why people insist that, for example, Sulcata tortoises should be kept on sand, being "desert" tortoises!? So the case for Egyptian tortoises to be kept on oyster shell in either crushed or "rocks" form, is based on flawed "tradition"!?
I personally kept Egyptian Tortoises from about 1993 to 2000 or so when I lived in CT. John Coakley (whom I believe to be the first person to breed the species in the US) also lived in CT then, and I visited him to gain knowledge prior to deciding to keep Egyptians. His kleinmanni were all kept on crushed oyster shells and were also in closed chambers.I am not an expert by any means but what I understand from all of my research is that many very long time successful keepers and breeders of Egyptian tortoises keep them on crushed oyster shell. Many of us who are new keepers are learning from and replicating their success. I haven’t heard of any long term successful keepers keeping them on orchid bark while I know that is used very successfully for many other tortoises. I hope we hear from some of the long term Egyptian keepers in this thread.