Recent content by pdelpizzo

I'm moving to Denver this weekend from S. Florida and I need to find a warm weather home for my 8 year old Russian. I wish I could keep him but I'll be in an extended stay for a few months while I find a house and then there's still too many uncertainties about accommodations for him. I'm...

With temperatures dropping significantly this week, I'm concerned about my Russian Tortoise living outside. I live in South Florida and rarely see temperatures in the 40s but this week it's forecast to drop to 40, 38, and 43 the next 3 nights with highs of 60 and 62. I'm wondering if my tortoise...

I actually lost a tortoise to bullying. I initially bought 2 yearling Russians. It was great for awhile but eventually one started to surpass the other and gradually the bullying started and intensified. I didn't know enough at the time to prevent it soon enough. Once I finally separated them...

I ended up finding a vet that had tortoise experience and he took it off. If it happens again I'll try it myself but he was due for an exam anyway. The vet said this was a tick that only bites tortoises and that tortoise ticks are generally much larger than others. He suggested there are...

I just discovered a what I think is a very engorged dog tick on my Russian tortoise. His vet and the next closest exotic vet are out of town for the weekend. The 3rd closest exotic vet is fully booked. I'm reluctant to try to remove this myself. Is it critical that it be removed? Not sure what...

I recommend the san diego tortoise society. They will take good care of him and find him a good home. Patrick Del Pizzo Cooper City, FL

A cattle egret has been frequenting my backyard recently. He occasionally eats anoles and drinks ftom my pool. Has anyone known egrets to go after smaller torts? I have a 4 yr old Russian that sometimes roams around back there. Thanks! Patrick Del Pizzo Cooper City, FL

I noticed a wide growth line circling the shell of my Russian this morning. Does this look normal?

We'll be here for a year and then probably move somewhere more permanent. Hopefully a house. I didn't have the luxury of being too choosy this time around. I could let her bask indoors in the morning and then put her outside if I can find a suitable heat source. Otherwise, I suppose she'll have...

I'll try to post a pic tomorrow. What about a surface heat source? I've seen some reptile heating pads. There is no direct sun at all. Is there enough uv in the shade without direct rays?

I just moved into a new apartment in Miami and realized that my north facing balcony gets no direct sun (at least this time of year). My small Russian was living happily in an outdoor enclosure on my sunny balcony in San Diego and I had hoped to have the same set up here in Miami. I assume...

Are these ok to use outdoors? And would it focus the heat well in an outdoor environment? Or would it need to be enclosed? [hr] This is the enclosure I'm dealing with. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-49165.html#axzz2CQdsUtxY

I just moved into a new apartment in Miami and realized that my north facing balcony gets no direct sun (at least this time of year). My small Russian was living happily in an outdoor enclosure on my sunny balcony in San Diego and I had hoped to have the same set up here in Miami. I assume...

I came across this 35 gallon pond liner at homedepot today. It's 38 inches across at the top (exterior) and 31 inches across at the interior midpoint. At $30 it seems like a great enclosure option. Patrick http://www.homedepot.com/buy/beckett-35-gal-plastic-patio-pond-pp1035.html#.UH3FgMXA98s

I recently drove my tortoises from San Diego to our new home in Miami. Can anyone recommend a good tortoise vet in the Miami area based on personal experience? Thanks! Patrick