Vacation

[JenniferAnn]

Has anyone brought there tort on a plane? I'm going on vacation for Thanksgiving for 6 days. I'm wondering if I can bring him or not. I am currently looking for sitter, but I don't know if I can count on anyone.

 

[LunaLupus]

I haven't found an airline yet that will allow reptiles to fly. Good luck!

 

[wellington]

No airline will take them that I know if either. Called 4 major airlines.

 

[JenniferAnn]

Hmm. There needs to be more pet boarding for exotics. Hopefully I can find a sitter.

 

[TortieLuver]

You could try a reputable reptile vet of specialist shop to see I they do boarding good luck

 

[Neal]

Do you have timers on your lights and heating elements?

If you could have someone just swing by your place and drop some food in for the tortoise and clean out its water dish even just one time while you are gone, the tortoise should be fine at home for six days. Just give it fresh water and a pile of food before you go.

 

[JenniferAnn]

Yea they are on timers. I was worried about the soakings. Do you think his digestive system will get out of wack?

 

[wellington]

Do yours ever self soak? Go into the water source on their own? I have left mine before for four days. Well actually two whole days, left early am on the first day, two days gone, then returned on the fourth day in the afternoon. Lights on timer, water filled, pile of food given. All was fine each time when returned. When I went on a weeks vacation, I had a sitter that came every other day.

 

[Neal]

How big is your tortoise?

Personally, I think the tortoise will be just fine even if he is young. Just be sure to soak him well before leaving and that he has a full water dish. Someone to swing by the house to clean out the water dish and drop some food for him at least once would be really good. But, if you can't find a boarding service or trust someone to watch him while you're gone then that's probably your only option.

 

[JenniferAnn]

He does get soaked and he gets in the water bowl too. The person I asked said they would "try." I guess really it would only be 3 days gone, since I will care for him the days I leave and come back. I was just worried because before I soaked him daily he seemed to get constipated. But I found a large shallow dish, so hopefully that will be ok.

---

He's about 20 months old, but still very small.

 

[Neal]

OK, three days isn't bad at all as long as the tortoise is in good health and you are able to maintain his enclosure in good temperatures. If it doesn't work out with the person coming over to check on him, then I still wouldn't worry.