It really fascinates me how much disagreement there is on keeping an animal that was one of the most popular pet tortoises in the US for a while, and that has been kept as a pet for decades. When you review the documentation of people or groups that have kept large numbers of these for years and had solid breeding success, it is absolutely amazing how few things they agree on.
It seems that the standards by which tortoise herd husbandry is measured is- looking at the herd as a whole-:
- Healthy skeletal development- properly shaped and strong shell, and strong well-formed limbs. Shells that are flattened or depressed seem to affect the animals more than 'simple' pyramiding does- even Terry's experience seems to show that tortoises with 'simple' pyramiding (no other underlying shell deformities) reproduce well.
- Longevity
- Fertility and hatchling health
Terry's herd seems to meet the criteria- as do many other people's and group's. His methodology is simple and repeatable- almost anyone who follows it will get good result. Other people and groups use different methodologies- some are pretty easy to follow, some are pretty complex. Some break every 'rule' we make and still have great results.
It also really amuses me how different the personalities of the 'big guns' I have 'met' on-line are. There are a couple I think are insane, a couple I respect but would not particularly want to meet, a couple I would love to have an adult beverage with, and a couple I want to move in next door to. As a newbie, I just appreciate that these men and women are willing to share their hard-earned knowledge with me!
It seems that the standards by which tortoise herd husbandry is measured is- looking at the herd as a whole-:
- Healthy skeletal development- properly shaped and strong shell, and strong well-formed limbs. Shells that are flattened or depressed seem to affect the animals more than 'simple' pyramiding does- even Terry's experience seems to show that tortoises with 'simple' pyramiding (no other underlying shell deformities) reproduce well.
- Longevity
- Fertility and hatchling health
Terry's herd seems to meet the criteria- as do many other people's and group's. His methodology is simple and repeatable- almost anyone who follows it will get good result. Other people and groups use different methodologies- some are pretty easy to follow, some are pretty complex. Some break every 'rule' we make and still have great results.
It also really amuses me how different the personalities of the 'big guns' I have 'met' on-line are. There are a couple I think are insane, a couple I respect but would not particularly want to meet, a couple I would love to have an adult beverage with, and a couple I want to move in next door to. As a newbie, I just appreciate that these men and women are willing to share their hard-earned knowledge with me!