Despite having a large outdoor enclosure, my Cholla seems to want to spend most of her day in her hide. I thought it might be due to the hot weather (high nineties here for weeks), and the hide is under a big shady bush, so that made sense. However, even though it's cooled off quite a bit...
Thanks to you all, my little Cholla remains a contented and healthy little Chelonian. Her sweet and personable little ways continue to give me and my family so much delight.
I shudder to think how little I knew about how to provide her with the environment or even the food she needs, and how...
Howdy, all!
We intend to use a plastic wading pool as an occasional playpen for our 3 1/2-year-old Desert Tortoise. We want her to able to amble around safely while inside our house in chilly weather.
Cholla already has an outdoor enclosure with the necessary furnishings, but she has long...
A lovely afternoon, sunny but cool, today just lying around in the grass with my beautiful Chelonian baby, as she basked, and grazed, and tromped through her food dish or just relaxed in a modified "superman position" while gazing upon me with pleasant satisfaction.
What a balm to relieve...
If I use a mini radiant oil heater, do I need any other heating devices in my DT's outdoor house?
It's been a couple months since I posted any threads, so I'll start with the basics.
Background: My Cholla, a Desert Tortoise, is 3 1/2 years old now, about 5 1/2 inches long, and weighs about...
Howdy, everyone. SIL needs answers to 2 questions below.
Sorry, I searched my threads but couldn't locate the answer.
1. Reptile Supply Company has RHP's in 28, 40, and 120 watts. Which to order?
2. How far above the Kane mat should the RHP be placed?
Muchas gracias, todos.
Greetings, all!
My husband wants to know if we should paint the exterior of Cholla's night box, either that or seal it with Thompson's wood sealant in order to preserve the plywood exterior. Is either of those options advisable?
In the meantime, Mm son-in-law is still wanting to put the...
Greetings, all!
My husband wants to know if we should paint the exterior of Cholla's night box, either that or seal it with Thompson's wood sealant in order to preserve the plywood exterior. Is either of those options advisable?
In the meantime, Mm son-in-law is still wanting to put the...
Hello, all!
I'm sorry I don't know how to send a picture, but perhaps someone can tell me whether a 3 year old Desert Tortoise's carapace should be entirely smooth?
I posted a thread about this yesterday or the day before, and no one has responded, so I thought I'd try again.:)
I want to...
I would post my own photos of Cholla's carapace, but my husband and I are both technologically challenged and haven't figured out how to do that. Would appreciate instruction from any of you in this area.
I don't see any signs of pyramiding that are obvious to me, but I'm a beginner and could...
Yesterday afternoon I did something that Tom and other experienced tortoise keepers have repeatedly warned against : I took my 3 year old desert tortoise out of her enclosure and into yard. My intentions were good: to provide her with excercise and stimulation while he permanent large...
I'm going to begin by venting, then I'll pose my question.
The background: People on the forum pointed out to me a few months ago that both the indoor and outdoor enclosures for my 3 year old desert tortoise were far too small for her. I was ashamed and distressed to hear it, and ever...
For a 2X4 box? (He thinks this is big enough for Cholla at her small size; also thinking it would fit better in long narrow enclosure. Any comments?
For a 4X4 box?
Recommended brand or models for Kane mat and RHP?
Thank you, compadres.
I've been posting so many threads lately, I'm a schoolteacher working from home due to Covid19, so I have a lot of time tto obsess over my Cholla. I hope I'm not becoming a nuisance on the forum.
So . . . I'm concerned about the lack of poop. Her last one was quite large--since then...
Tom suggested a 65 watt incandescent flood bulb, but since they're no longer available in California, what's the next best thing for now ?
Also we need to know what wattage that "next-best-thing" should have. And to be sure we have the right base for whatever it is.
Also, the RHP . . ...
Hi, everyone.
I'd like to establish a relationship with a doc that people on this forum trust.
I have no reason to think there's anything wrong with my 3 yr. old DT, thank God, but I've read several posts generally critical of veterinary care for tortoises, and yesterday, I read of one...
Hi, y'all,
Son-in-law is about to build outdoor tortoise house for our Desert Tortoise. He needs three questions answered before he begins construction.
I know that Tom and others have already answered these questions on their posts. But if my son-in-law could have the answers in a short...
The answer to this question may seem obvious, but I've received contrary opinions about various things, as well as corrections (all good and necessary). I feel properly humbled and frankly, I need the reassurance that I'm doing the right thing by Cholla now.
I notice that most of the pix in...
This question will show my ignorance big time, but here goes.
If my 5 inch long Cal. Desert tortoise is going to be hibernating, does she need an enclosure bigger than 50L 24W and 12H?
I'd rather hibernate her in a heated tortoise house in a large enclosure outside, as the experts on this...