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Tom
Last Activity:
Nov 21, 2019 at 11:43 AM
Joined:
Jan 9, 2010
Messages:
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Gender:
Male
Location (City and/or State):
Southern California
Occupation:
Animal Trainer

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Tom

The Dog Trainer, Male, from Southern California

5 Year Member Platinum Tortoise Club

Ask me questions in a forum post. Not enough space to answer correctly here. Jul 19, 2018

Tom was last seen:
Nov 21, 2019 at 11:43 AM
    1. Dayway
      Dayway
      Hi,Tom,I read many post about diapause of Burmese tortoise eggs,but still confused....Can u teach how to setup for these eggs(Just have 9 eggs...)
      Oct 22, 2019
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Dayway
        Dayway
        How about humidity? Should I add water to the Vermiculite? And I saw Deadheadvet's post ,he said 60F too cool,What do u think?
        Oct 23, 2019
      4. Tom
        Tom
        I add water to vermiculite at a 1 : 1 ratio, by weight. So 300 grams of vermiculite would get 300 grams of water. A few times during incubation I carefully add a little water to the media to maintain that level of moisture. When they begin to pip, I add more water to simulate rain and help them get out.
        Oct 23, 2019
        Dayway likes this.
      5. Tom
        Tom
        Oct 23, 2019
        Dayway likes this.
    2. Skm107
      Skm107
      @Tom I have a sulcata 4 years old and I need to make a winter home. Any recommendations? Tight now he is longing in this and has to be covered since we have hawks but I would like to attach something that he can go in for winter
      Oct 10, 2019
      2. Skm107
        Skm107
        New to this don’t know how to post picture
        Oct 10, 2019
      3. Tom
        Tom
        Make a thread on the forum. You can post pics there, and explain where you live and what size tortoise we are talking about.
        Oct 10, 2019
    3. Zuki
      Zuki
      Hi Tom,
      I'd like to see your night boxes. You put a link that shows tinypics to access your pictures but they shut down on September 2019. Did you save them?
      i'd appreciate if you can post them again as well as the outside enclosure you did.
      TIA
      Oct 3, 2019
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Zuki
        Zuki
        Nice!!!
        Thank you
        Oct 4, 2019
      4. mullisjr
        mullisjr
        I'm building my box tomorrow with your plans. I've looked all around and the 1.5" foam board isn't available in my area. Do you think that the .5" would suffice?
        Oct 10, 2019
      5. Tom
        Tom
        They sell it at every Home Depot and Lowes. .5 inch won't work. The 2x4 framing is 1.5 inches thick, so the 1.5 inch rigid foam fills that gap perfectly. You could buy triple the sheets of .5 and make it three layers as you go. I'd order it if your local stores are out of it.
        Oct 10, 2019
    4. Millerlite
      Millerlite
      Hi Tom. Just wanted to give you a heads up tinypic announces they were no more hosting which I've noticed messes up a lot of post. Your heat box threads super helpful all need updated photos, idk maybe a moderator can upload it or something.. not sure I'd another good photo just too as I use tiny pic myself. Such a pain In the butt

      Kyle
      Sep 18, 2019
      1. Jimmie and Zuki like this.
    5. dbrown2572
      dbrown2572
      Hi Tom. Last weekend, I saw the pictures of the outside enclosure you built with the bricks and wood. Is there any chance you can post the pictures again. They have disappeared and I would love to build this :-)
      Sep 13, 2019
      1. Zuki likes this.
    6. Aidan814
      Aidan814
      Hey Tom! Just wondering where you think I should purchase a baby Russian tortoise from.
      Sep 4, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        Many good sellers here. I have personally bought from @Carol S and from @kanalomele and highly recommend both.
        Sep 5, 2019
    7. leoturt
      leoturt
      And I will get a PVC enclosure like you've mentioned bc it's the best for humidity and ambient temp, which you've said and also that maintaining them are v important factors to minimize pyramiding. Do your leopards have minimal pyramiding from living in such conditions? So many leopards I've seen on the web all have bad/lots of pyramiding, and I wanna do everything I can do minimize pyramiding on my leopard. Thanks
      Aug 31, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        Yes, the closed chambers minimize pyramiding.

        Soil is not a good substrate choice. You can't know what composted material it is made of and it could be something toxic. It also turns to mud when wet and gets very messy.
        Sep 1, 2019
    8. ramorningstar
      ramorningstar
      Hi Tom, I'm looking for baby Indian Star. Do you have any for sale ? Thank you.
      Aug 28, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        Aug 28, 2019
    9. charl19
      charl19
      Hi Tom, I am building a new enclosure for my sulcata. Buliding it 8 foot by 30 inch wide. How tall should it be? Going to put the t5 lights in it. How many do I need and what length do I need? Thanks.
      Aug 15, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        I'd go at least 18" tall and up to 30" tall inside. There are many ways to do lighting. I'd use LED for daylight all day, and one HO bulb for UVB. Length of the UV bulb doesn't really matter. 22" would be fine, and I like to run these for only 3-4 hours mid day to simulate the UV spike that happens outside in the middle of the day.
        Aug 15, 2019
        Zuki likes this.
      3. charl19
        charl19
        I have a ho t5 light in the enclosure I have now. I have it on for 12 hrs a day it is 22 inch. Should I not have it on for that length of time? Also in the new enclosure you mentioned led lights for daylight. Do I not need a incandescent flood light for basking? Thanks
        Aug 16, 2019
      4. Tom
        Tom
        Not enough room to answer here. PM sent.
        Aug 16, 2019
    10. Logan436
      Logan436
      Hey Tom do you have any pancake torts, also do you think they are a good “2nd” tortoise
      Aug 5, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        None here, and they are a great tortoise for anyone, anytime.
        Aug 5, 2019
        Logan436 likes this.
    11. Mkarl
      Mkarl
      Hello, do you have any of your leopard tortoises for sale?
      Jul 24, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        The South Africans are very seasonal. I will have a bunch of them hatching in late September.
        Jul 24, 2019
        Mkarl likes this.
      3. Mkarl
        Mkarl
        What do you sell your babies for?
        Jul 25, 2019
      4. Tom
        Tom
        Hatchling South Africans sell for $300 each. I do volume discounts for lots of 6 or 10.
        Jul 25, 2019
        Mkarl likes this.
    12. Mazie Davis
      Mazie Davis
      Hi there tom! I was wondering how to get ahold of you? Thanks! I have a few questions.
      Jul 20, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        Send me a private message. AKA "conversation".
        Jul 20, 2019
    13. SoWrecked
      SoWrecked
      Hey Tom, are you selling any baby sulcatas?
      Jul 8, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        Should have some hatching soon.
        Jul 20, 2019
    14. Pickle407
      Pickle407
      Hey Tom interseted in one of your Burmese Stars if you have any left. Preferably a female, I know not for sure but I’ve read how females might grow slower but let me know. Thanks for your time. Nick
      Jun 26, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        I've got some left. I'll message you.
        Jun 26, 2019
    15. AzDesert
      AzDesert
      Hi Tom,
      I just wanted to simply let you know that I greatly appreciate you and several others on here and value and respect your suggestions and information. I have 5 sulcatas ages 20 yrs to 9mos, 3 aldabras, and 2 radiated babies.
      You are a true blessing to this website and I just simply wanted to tell you that. Thanks for all you do for us on the TFO (and for the torts!)
      Jun 21, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        Thank you.
        Jun 21, 2019
    16. charl19
      charl19
      Hey Tom,
      I need some help on what type of grass seed I need to plant in pots for baby sulcata. Will Kentucky 31, fescue, and the blends of grass with rye grass work? Thanks.
      Jun 16, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        I wouldn't buy anything from a hardware store. Its treated with all sorts of wired stuff. Get grass seed that is meant for horse pastures. I like the one from Tyler at tortoisesupply and the ones form grow organic.com.
        Jun 16, 2019
    17. huyct
      huyct
      Hello, I came across your forum postings today when doing research because my grandma bought herself a young Russian Tortoise. I'm researching what a good enclosure for him would be. Most people say turtle tables, but you say vivariums/closed habitats. Could you elaborate? Thanks in advance.
      May 28, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        What size Russian?

        There isn't much room to answer questions in profile comments. Will you start a thread so we can converse more thoroughly?
        May 28, 2019
      3. huyct
        huyct
        I'll try to figure out how. I'm assuming I can tag you on it.
        May 28, 2019
    18. SLOsurf805
      SLOsurf805
      Do you have any of your stars available still?
      May 16, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        I do. Send me a message?
        May 16, 2019
    19. Tiny_t
      Tiny_t
      I read mistakes forum. What important things TO DO for russian tort 4 inches?
      I live in utah & want to build outdoor enclosure but weather changes quick. What is too cold?
      He will only eat romaine (no weeds, veggies, etc). Should I soak grass pellets & mix with food?
      INdoor enclosure: I want to build a big wood enclosure but worry wood will get damp & stink.
      And Best substrate?
      Heat lamp off at night? Ideal temps?
      Apr 27, 2019
      2. Tom
        Tom
        Apr 28, 2019
    20. Ben02
      Ben02
      Hey Tom, my torts are approaching a year old in may and 1 is 250 grams, another is 222 grams and the third is 140. Each are in there own closed chamber enclosure. They have minimal pyramiding that I have put a stop to. I’m worried they are growing to fast. They are completely healthy and happy little torts all from the same clutch. They are Greeks.

      Cheers Tom
      Apr 15, 2019
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  • About

    Gender:
    Male
    Location (City and/or State):
    Southern California
    Occupation:
    Animal Trainer
    I got my first box turtle in 1979. I started caring for Chelonians and other animals as a paid profession in 1986, and I'm still doing it. I've been keeping sulcatas and leopards since the early 90's. I've been using humidity and hydration to grow smooth tortoises since 2008, after many years of trying and failing using other methods and advice for two decades.
    :D :tort:

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    Knowledge is learning from your own mistakes. Wisdom is learning from the mistakes of others...