Spider torts

[Itort]

I have a young northern (brygoni) and was wondering if anyone has experience in keeping these guys. I've got him in a semi-humid enviornment (65 to 75 percent) with a damp hide, constant source of soaking water, 5 percent uv, feeding greens ( collards,mustard,endive,and turnip) and fruits such as plums,berries, and melon. He also gets weeds when available and opuntia cactus.

 

[cvalda]

not me, but DUDE i'd LOVE to see a picture of him!!!

 

[Redfoot NERD]

I think these might be.. not sure.. [ not to 'hitch' your post Larry ].. Adults..

{ It helps to know those that have.. not mine.. permission granted }

Terry

 

[egyptiandan]

I keep Spider tortoises mostly the brygooi subspecies. Your set-up isn't bad. They do like to dry out a bit in the winter time as thats when they usually aestivate. They aren't very active unless it's in their prefered temperature range, which is 85 to 90F. Mine usually aestivate all winter and don't become active again till the spring.
I'd change the greens you feed on a regular basis. I'd go with romaine, green leaf and red leaf lettuces, curly endive and escarole. The collards, mustard and turnip greens should just be fed once in a while for variety. The rest of your diet is great.
Those are adults Terry.
Here are some of mine

I don't keep them on the aspen that was just for the picture.

Danny

 

[cvalda]

Dude, Spider Torts are GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!! Great pics, everyone!

 

[TestudoGeek]

Very nice. Didn't know about this species. Loved all the pics.

 

[Crazy1]

Love their shell patterns. Gorgeous pics guys.

 

[wayne.bob]

very nice looking torts! i love the patterns.

 

[Redfoot NERD]

These are "flat-tails".. what species are they Danny?

Terry

 

[egyptiandan]

The first 2 pictures Terry are yearling Pyxis planicauda
The third picture is a group of Pyxis arachnoides, Spider tortoises.
I'd have to see plastrons to tell what subspecies
The last 2 pictures are WC adult Pyxis planicauda

They are great pictures

Danny

 

[Redfoot NERD]

The first 2 pictures Terry are yearling Pyxis planicauda
The third picture is a group of Pyxis arachnoides, Spider tortoises.
I'd have to see plastrons to tell what subspecies
The last 2 pictures are WC adult Pyxis planicauda

They are great pictures

Danny

Thanks Danny,

You not only take great pics.. you own what you pic!

Terry

 

[Itort]

Thanks everyone. I'll make the adjustments. He is a fascinating little guy and different from what I've dealt with before. I'm thinking now he's a subadult and not a hatchling as represented. Pictures comeing.

 

[egyptiandan]

Males are adult at 4 inches and so are females. Males can get up to 5 inches and females up to 6 inches.
How big is your Spider?

Danny

 

[TestudoGeek]

These guys are wonderfull.

 

[Itort]

What is does the red dot mean? Why I ask is mine has one same position.

 

[egyptiandan]

Breeders use the dots to tell one hatchling from another. Also even if you can tell one hatchling from another you may not remember who are the parents of each hatchling and that helps with that too.

Danny

 

[Redfoot NERD]

The 'red dot' location is also used in the "Studbook" ID also..

Terry

 

[Itort]

Danny, I measured it last night and it's 2.5" long. I also have question about the pastrom hinge. It won't completely close, so that would be brygooi right.

 

[egyptiandan]

If your tortoise has a hinge, even one that doesn't close, it's Pyxis arachnoides arachnoides. P. a. brygooi has no hinge at all.
P. a. oblonga is the only subspecies where the hinge completely closes.
Pyxis arachnoides oblonga

Pyxis arachnoides brygooi on the left and Pyxis arachnoides arachnoides on the right

Danny

 

[Itort]

Does carapace color have any relationship to sudspecie?