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  1. xirxes

    Aldabra yard expectations

    I am aiming to bring home 13-14" aldabra at the turn of the year to Southern CA. I have a nice large 4x4x2' heated enclosure for overnights and cold/rainy days in the welcome home season. My question is that it is coming from a 5x8' cypress mulch outside enclosure, i will have 6x20' fully...
  2. xirxes

    Sulcata needs a larger outside winter/night enclosure, also making room for 2x aldabras

    Back to the drawing boards for designing a long term outdoor housing for some XL torts. My 5 year old sulcata has just about outgrown his evening hot-house, which is about 3x3', with floorspace taken up by an enclosed oil heater and a tortoise zoomed floor heater. He lives outside year round...
  3. xirxes

    Interested in large Aldabras

    Hello, I’m seeking out a reputable source of 1.1 or 2.2 20+ year old Aldabras of size that breeding would be possible given everything in order in their paddock. It appears that like Galapagos, very few breeding these successfully and even fewer selling torts of age. I understand about hefty...
  4. xirxes

    4 Cherryhead hatchlings SoCal local pickup

    For sale here are 4 Cherryhead redfoot hatchlings from Kenan Harkin out of Florida. Sizes range from 39g to 72g Local pickup only San Diego CA Hate to see them go, but with the rest of the animals, just too much on my plate. $225 ea...
  5. xirxes

    Baby food soak help appreciated

    One of my hatchlings was attacked by a predator while I was on vacation over the weekend, probably a rat, damage to carapace and one foot. Emergency vet visit until the early hours of this morning, but he's home after that hydrated, pain medded and antibiotic pasted. He's not eating actively...
  6. xirxes

    Plumeria flowers as good?

    I've seen yes, I've seen be careful, but never a no. I have a lot of these flowers this time of year and would love to feed them if they are safe. So....are they safe??? There will be no sap anywhere near these flowers and certainly nothing sprayed on them.
  7. xirxes

    Starting to get serious concern for cherry head hatchling weight loss.

    I am tracking each week, and although almost all of the hatchlings have shed their egg teeth, I'm seeing either flatlined or retreating weight on the smallest each week. The rest are gaining quite well. Here is chart: Cherry heads: Duplex- 5/31 31g 6/4 34g 6/10 37g 6/18 41g 6/24 44g 7/1 44g...
  8. xirxes

    Front scute split down middle....anything to be done?

    I don't have reference all the way back, but it seems every pic I have of Tortilla has this split.... anything I need to do? She's almost 2 now and shows no other issues at all besides pyramiding I'm correcting now.
  9. xirxes

    Cherry head hatchling growth rate question

    At what point should I be concerned with a stagnant growth in hatchlings? 3 of my 5 seem to be stalled. For 5 weeks gaining 2-3 grams a week, now no weight added 3 weeks in a row. The largest two are adding 2 grams per week still. I put the two smallest in front of soaked mazuri and they...
  10. xirxes

    Opened full yard to sulcata, checking the plants for safety

    Decided to start offering Tortilla at 2 years old, 12" plastron our whole yard during the day, wanted to make sure I am safe with plants. She will have access to: 5-7 different varieties of succulents, including sticks on fire, elephant food and a few other common ones I can get pics of later...
  11. xirxes

    Cherry head hatchling: start of shell rot or just new growth?

    This just showed up last few days on most of the hatchlings, to varying degree. Substrate in housing is DRY to touch, kept at 80-88F depending on part of day, 90-95% humidity. They have humid hides/areas of damp sphagnum that they always head towards, and they get daily baths. Any advice...
  12. xirxes

    Cherry Head Hatchlings have landed

    Starting my long term log here for the 5 cherry heads that arrived today. In that they live for 50+ years I'm waiting on names for fit. Without further adieu! First meal
  13. xirxes

    Tree ID safe for sulcata/future red foot enclosure?

    This was a stump and has grown back in last three years without direct water. What is it and is it safe for tortoise enclosure? I'd prefer to keep it for shade, as the leaves are all that drops. Thanks!
  14. xirxes

    Cherry head hatchlings with "smushed" shell from hatchmates

    I've been told that this reforms to full roundness in short order, and I want to make sure that this is true, and that the shell will not retain this shape full life thanks!
  15. xirxes

    Cherry head hatchlings enclosures ** rapid fire critique request!**

    I know I must be a masochist, but I have this weekend to fine tune these enclosures to accommodate 5x cherry head hatchlings. I know that humidity and temp are key with these, so let me list what I have done, and what I plan to do before tomorrow eve. My plan is to keep them in a fully shaded...
  16. xirxes

    Cherry head tortoise hatchlings

    Looking for 5 cherry head red foot tortoises to start a breeding project. Prefer local pickup here in Southern California, but shipped OK.
  17. xirxes

    Tortilla gets a photoshoot

    Tortilla should be hitting 4 lbs this week, setting up this thread for future weigh ins and updates! She has had a bit of pyramiding for about a year, but as you can see in album, it seems like i am improving her shell shape over time. Enjoy! https://flic.kr/s/aHskX56C5g
  18. xirxes

    Pyramiding research question

    I have read far and wide about the potential causes for pyramiding in sulcatas, and have read two research papers on the issue, but I am having trouble finding what I'm looking for. I have seen that while holding diet and indoor location size constant, adjusting humidity variable, lack of...
  19. xirxes

    Cold weather behavior question

    My 9" length 2 yr old sulcata is not wanting to come out of her enclosure in the cold weather. It's been 57-66F here and drizzling, and it stays 74-75F in her hide. I brought her out yesterday and today, and she won't eat mizuri, which she clears her plate every other day, won't drink water...
  20. xirxes

    Sulcata house training: how to get her to use it?

    I've built an enclosure that is ~32x32x36" inside diameter, fully insulated on all sides including top, 250 watt ceramic heating element bulb connected to thermostat set at 75F (Won't get to 80 this time of year it seems.) It has a small ramp because it is built on a crate, and although she...
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