Really surprised this afternoon to see one of my Leopard tortoises mounting another one. As best I can tell, they're all females - flat plastron, short/stubby tail.
Got a video of what was going on - is this something other's have seen before?
Best,
John
One of mine had that rust coloration - as she got older, the color seemed to fade (or the new growth that came in later was lighter and made the red/orange appear less noticeable)
I’ve heard anecdotes about a lack of humidity causing pyramiding, but this is the first time I’ve seen heat linked to it. Only formal study I’ve seen on the topic, as well...
Hi Bill,
We met back in 2011 - I think via Chris Raxworthy - and visited at one of the herp shows in Atlanta. The bellsouth email address you gave me bounced back and I'm having issues sending PM's to you here. Will you ping me back at [email protected]?
Best,
John
Tom,
You've clearly had great success with your tortoises, so I'll generally defer to that experience.
Regarding temps - I'm seeing ground level temps in the sun around 120 here in Central Texas and the tortoises seem to love alternating between sun/shade. They're more active in these periods...
I've often let my temperatures range in the basking spot, as the tortoises are kept outside and in winter daytime temps can fluctuate significantly here.
They likely see anywhere from 100 to 120 directly under the bulb... and take turns sitting under the light.
Assuming they can bask, heat up...
Jodie / Gillian - I'll definitely keep a close eye on it the next couple days. If any deterioration, I have a vet I've taken them to before for concerns and will bring them back. For odd-ball things like this that aren't traumatic or acute (and might not even really be anything wrong), I'll...
Jodie - I wondered about the surface yesterday, as well. The odd walk was easier to show on an unobstructed, flat surface... but it does seem like she's walking funny on the grass as well. Here's an example -
https://goo.gl/photos/sEfoB29YGgsnPCpL8
I do supplement calcium... though this...
My largest, but otherwise very healthy, Leopard tortoise has started walking funny. A tilt with his back half up higher than his front - walking using the sides of his arms rather than the pads.
https://goo.gl/photos/UjsrnRidwiKWXdC19
I did a couple searches and it appears the more common...
It would be hard to miss the dates, since they're featured so prominently and frequently in the article. I also didn't miss that it had been updated as recently as early 2014.
Just a topic for conversation, guys. I hadn't seen anything related to this discussed on this board and thought it...
When I brought my leopards in today to see the local Herp vet, he gave me some information. One of the things printed for me was this on mercury vapor bulbs. Wanted to share here for discussion
http://www.anapsid.org/mercuryvapor.html
Yes. Not at all worried about the old school long tube uvb bulb - question is only about this incandescent and whether it's too bright at 1490 lumens or some other aspect of it.
Thanks!
Just wanted to tap the experience of the knowledgeable people here about the incandescent replacement bulbs being sold now. Any worries using them with Leopards?
100w replacement (uses 72w), 1490 lumens, clear soft white... and sold by ecosmart
Thanks in advance!
Turbotort - cactus pads are great but keep in mind you're going to have to chop them up really tiny for a tortoise that small. At least with mine, when they were 32g in size they did not have the jaw strength to bite through even sectioned (ie. a slice down the middle, making the pad 1/2 as...
I had good success with mine by increasing the spotlight temp... did this after talking to a couple breeders and doing a test of ground temps in TX sun, which would show 115+ on a 9X degree ambient day. Noticed markedly improved behavior when I couldn't get them outside.
Important that you...