I don’t know what to do, please help

Jaid10

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Yes I had a look myself and yes, definitely genuine!

Appreciate not being attacked for saying something! It’s a shame we need to be so guarded and aware of scams.

Good luck to the OP. And you’re right to be careful yourself, especially as a kid. Good that you’re being so vigilant.
Ok, my mom said she’d look into it and if she knows they’re genuine she might give them my address.
 

DianeS

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Nov 21, 2018
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I'm so sorry to hear that. I know you've tried your best, don't blame yourself.

For the food problem, you can try to buy some seeds of the veggies, grass, flowers if you haven't already. You can grow them inside your house. This can save you a lot of money. Of course, you don't just start growing them when winter comes, you can grow them in some of the extra space outside. Try to grow excess amount of them if you can, so that you would have leftovers for your torts during winter. But be warned, you're gonna need quite a lot of "leftovers" as sulcata has huge appetite. This first few months, maybe even years could be difficult to catch up, but I'm sure you can do it if you have enough determination.

The real issue here though, it's managing the humidity which is the main factor for pyramiding. Now I don't know if where you from is humid or arid. If you can, try to water their shells with a bucket of water like every 6 to 8 hours, for the older one, use a tiny spoon instead. I've been doing this too my 4 month old sulcata until I get a larger enclosure for it, and it turns out pretty well. Pyramiding can't be reduced, but definitely can be stopped, it's better late than never!

The money consuming bit has to be maintaining the temperature, whether you use heater or the lights. There's nothing I can do to help with that other than saying good luck. I do apologise.

For the uvb, artificial ones aren't necessary, why not use the most natural way of obtaining uvb - the sun? All you have to do, is let your torts sunbathe half an hour per day, if you have more time, you can let them do so for even longer! Side note, during unfavourable weather conditions, like rainy days, winter, its no big deal that you don't bring them out for sunbathing for a few months. Side side note, there are calcium powder products that also contain vitamin D3 (that's what torts get from uvb), you can use those instead of you aren't too available.

If all those are overwhelming for you and your parents, your best choice would be to let someone else who's more experienced in keeping torts adopt them.

Again, don't blame yourself, and don't lose hope, believe in yourself, and be optimistic. I, and I believe, all of us on this platform will fully support you. GOOD LUCK TORTING.

I'll put in my two cents. If you go to grocery stores, you can ask, in the produce department, what you would need. When they can no longer sell the produce, they throw it away. try checking a few stores for the left overs. I've have my Sulcuta's for 14 years. I feed them romaine, broccoli and they love green beans. They do graze, but this is what they like. sometimes I'll give the an apple. When the season allow you, grow a garden with the foods they need. I do keep them warm. They have a wonderful insulted house with a heater I keep around 80 degrees. The main problem I have with that, is the poop inside, every few days, it get cleaned out....YUK!! Good luck
 

Jaid10

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I'll put in my two cents. If you go to grocery stores, you can ask, in the produce department, what you would need. When they can no longer sell the produce, they throw it away. try checking a few stores for the left overs. I've have my Sulcuta's for 14 years. I feed them romaine, broccoli and they love green beans. They do graze, but this is what they like. sometimes I'll give the an apple. When the season allow you, grow a garden with the foods they need. I do keep them warm. They have a wonderful insulted house with a heater I keep around 80 degrees. The main problem I have with that, is the poop inside, every few days, it get cleaned out....YUK!! Good luck
Ok! I will see if my parents will take me to the store to ask
 

Jaid10

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image.jpg Good news! I was able to get a hold of some new grass that is starting to grow! It was in a forest area and is not sprayed. Can I feed them the dead grass or not?
 

EllieMay

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View attachment 267107 Good news! I was able to get a hold of some new grass that is starting to grow! It was in a forest area and is not sprayed. Can I feed them the dead grass or not?

If your sure the grass hasn’t been sprayed by anything then I’d say you’ve got an excellent find. ! Good Job! We’d love to see some pics of your torts too. Don’t be disheartened if your torts turn their nose up at first, just keep offering:)
 

Blackdog1714

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Weeds, Weeds, Weeds, look in an around garages, sheds and sides of houses. If possible check to make sure nobody is spraying them - color and health are not always obvious ways. Just pick them and lightly spray with water to sorta revive the chemicals and smell- should be an obvious smell- if no odor then wash like all other veggies and feed. The Tortoisetable is free and does a good job identify what is good to feed and free. BTW very mature realizing you made a mistake and working to change it!
 

Leesa

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Jul 9, 2016
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11
Really really don’t want to be that guy, and really really want to believe everything that’s been talked about here and think the support of all the members is so good.... but... just be careful.

As ever, I don’t mean to offend anyone, especially the OP, but I was reading through the post and was just waiting for “if you can just send £100 to this Western Union account...”.

Perhaps it’s that I work in IT Security that makes me cynical. I don’t want to put a dampener on any goodwill that comes from the forum members. But like I say, just be careful.

On the flip side, to the OP, well done for coming to the forum and getting help. It’s the absolute best thing you could have done. I did the same when I first got my tort and am very pleased I did. I really wish you the best, and apologise for be skeptical!

I really doubt someone would come to a "Tortoise Discussion Forum" and pose as an 11 year old to extort turtle food from unsuspecting kind hearted people who love tortoises and want to help her enjoy her two little ones as much as the rest of us presumably enjoy ours. Sometimes it's good to be cynical, but I don't think this is one of those times.
 

Leesa

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That is an awesome idea! The only thing is that I never meant for this post to be a fundraiser. The only reason I asked for supplies is to see if you guys had anything extra that you’re not planning on using. I don’t want to make anyone spend extra money on this. The main reason I started this entire post is to get ideas.

You didn't ask, I offered. :)

If you look at my thumbnail profile picture you can see our redfoot, Oliver, with a turtle stuffed animal that my 9yo son stacked on top of him (Have you read Yurtle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss? a fav in our house). My son loves all types of turtles/tortoises and I want that for you too.
 

AudgePaudge

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Hi!! When my parents got the first tortoise that I was around for, I was super scared of him!! As I got older I never really cared about it nor learned too; my family always took care of him. But, when he died, I suddenly became VERY interested in tortoises. I felt bad about our late tortoise. So, I researched everything about everything that has to do with tortoises lol!! :p So I got a new baby who was sick with a URI when I bought him. He passed as well. I felt awful! Like his misfortune was all my fault and that I was a terrible parent! But I didn’t know how to take care of a baby tortoise, and I learned from my mistakes! Now I have a sulcata named Sprout who was a trade-in at my local exotic pet store. I’ve had him/her for 2 years now!! I know it’s rough right now, and believe me- I know the whole “pay for it yourself” dealio, after all, I’m only 3 years older than you! Here’s what I would recommend: read all the care sheets you can get your hands on! Read forum posts about problems with other tortoises and the solutions they found for it. Do your research!! ALSO: make an amazon wishlist (one with link sharing on) so that those of us with more money can help you out a little!! That way, you can get the items fast and easy, and we don’t have access to your personal information such as your adress. You should put things like a heat lamp, UVB bulbs, food (I would recommend dry pellets that you hydrate such as mazuri), and substrate (I use coconut coir). You can also add other things your torts need of course! Those are just the basics I can think of off the top of my head. Good luck!!!:):D:tort:
 

DesertGirl

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Also, if I did end up doing the mail thing I would even just need things like dandelions

ok! I’ll definitely go look for those! Can you tell me where you got some of your supplies and plant seeds? Also can they grow in the window ceil here? I’m in Utah and it is dry, cold, and doesn’t have much sunlight.
I’m next door in Nevada. Utah has plenty of sunlight to grow seeds in a window.
 

DesertGirl

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I actually take horse back riding and I bet my riding instructor might let me have some, if I sweep up. I’m not sure what kind she uses but I’ll ask when I go there this week. I might go there, I might not. I’ve been having to go on and off recently.

Just a thought here. Aren’t riding lessons expensive? Maybe you could “pause” those for a little while and funnel some of the money to the torts? Best wishes.
 

Jaid10

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Just a thought here. Aren’t riding lessons expensive? Maybe you could “pause” those for a little while and funnel some of the money to the torts? Best wishes.
Actually mine are a lot cheaper. $25 for a 2 hour lesson. Last week I wasn’t able to go so I couldn’t have anyway. This week I was definitely considering that. I’ll ask my parents if I can but they usually won’t let me do that.
 

Jaid10

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You didn't ask, I offered. :)

If you look at my thumbnail profile picture you can see our redfoot, Oliver, with a turtle stuffed animal that my 9yo son stacked on top of him (Have you read Yurtle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss? a fav in our house). My son loves all types of turtles/tortoises and I want that for you too.
Ok. I talked to my mom to see if I could and she said I could probably but she doesn’t know how to start one without you having to type in the address before. Does anyone know how?
 

Jaid10

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Actually mine are a lot cheaper. $25 for a 2 hour lesson. Last week I wasn’t able to go so I couldn’t have anyway. This week I was definitely considering that. I’ll ask my parents if I can but they usually won’t let me do that.
Sorry, that came across rude. I didn’t mean it to be rude in any way.
 

Jaid10

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Messages
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Weeds, Weeds, Weeds, look in an around garages, sheds and sides of houses. If possible check to make sure nobody is spraying them - color and health are not always obvious ways. Just pick them and lightly spray with water to sorta revive the chemicals and smell- should be an obvious smell- if no odor then wash like all other veggies and feed. The Tortoisetable is free and does a good job identify what is good to feed and free. BTW very mature realizing you made a mistake and working to change it!
I know no one has sprayed it at least for a while because the area is behind her yard. Thank you so much!
 

Jaid10

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Messages
298
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Hi!! When my parents got the first tortoise that I was around for, I was super scared of him!! As I got older I never really cared about it nor learned too; my family always took care of him. But, when he died, I suddenly became VERY interested in tortoises. I felt bad about our late tortoise. So, I researched everything about everything that has to do with tortoises lol!! :p So I got a new baby who was sick with a URI when I bought him. He passed as well. I felt awful! Like his misfortune was all my fault and that I was a terrible parent! But I didn’t know how to take care of a baby tortoise, and I learned from my mistakes! Now I have a sulcata named Sprout who was a trade-in at my local exotic pet store. I’ve had him/her for 2 years now!! I know it’s rough right now, and believe me- I know the whole “pay for it yourself” dealio, after all, I’m only 3 years older than you! Here’s what I would recommend: read all the care sheets you can get your hands on! Read forum posts about problems with other tortoises and the solutions they found for it. Do your research!! ALSO: make an amazon wishlist (one with link sharing on) so that those of us with more money can help you out a little!! That way, you can get the items fast and easy, and we don’t have access to your personal information such as your adress. You should put things like a heat lamp, UVB bulbs, food (I would recommend dry pellets that you hydrate such as mazuri), and substrate (I use coconut coir). You can also add other things your torts need of course! Those are just the basics I can think of off the top of my head. Good luck!!!:):D:tort:
Thank you!
 

Jaid10

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image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg This is my older Tortoises current situation. It makes me sad to even look at it.
 

DesertGirl

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Actually mine are a lot cheaper. $25 for a 2 hour lesson. Last week I wasn’t able to go so I couldn’t have anyway. This week I was definitely considering that. I’ll ask my parents if I can but they usually won’t let me do that.
Hang in there, girlfriend. Torts are not an expensive pet once you get their homes set up.
 

Jaid10

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I’m actually concerned for my 6 month old. He is really smallimage.jpg image.jpg
 

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