LittleBuddy
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2017
- Messages
- 2
Long story short, my brother got himself a pet tortoise (Marginated, I think), and circumstances keep him from taking care of it. So now it's up to me to take care of the 'lil guy, and I'm feeling kinda overwhelmed and lost. My largest pet experiences have been a betta fish and a cat, not a reptile.
What can I do to make sure I'm the best possible caretaker I can be? I went through the FAQ boards and I also went through the "newbie mistakes" thing. I still have a few questions, though. I'm really new to this forum, so I'm super sorry if I accidentally broke a rule or something.
I promise, I'll learn! That's why I installed this app. Meanwhile, prepare for a barrage of stupid questions.
1. Best kind of food? My brother's been using storebought lettuce and salad leaves for the little guy. I've also got a kale garden. Anything else? What is a definite no-go to Marginated Tortoises? Any strage feeding habits for tortoises I should know? Schedules?
2. He didn't have calcium for a month or so, how detrimental will that be in the long run? I know the shell is made of bone, so does that stunt its growth? How big should they be at a year old? How fast do they grow?
(I ordered the calcium power inmediately, and it's here at home. I just sprinkled a little on his dinner)
3. How intelligent are they? Can they learn their names? (Can I teach it to play soccer, like I once saw a tortoise do?) Do they experience boredom? Idk about loneliness, since they're supposed to be solitary, but can they feel sexual frustration? When he gets bigger, can it become aggressive?
4. What age can I sex it? It's already been at least a year, so...? I remember something being said about a bulging belly?
5. Will my cat be a danger to it? Can I let my cat approach it, under supervision, of course, or should I keep her away from the little guy? If yes, will I have to do that forever, or is it "safer" when it gets bigger?
(For reference, my cat has a nipping habit, but that's because when we were younger I didn't train her properly, and played with her with my hands and feet. Everyone was kinda dumb when they're twelve, especially me.)
6. I may be going to get some higher education soon, after I get my AA from a local campus. If I go to a University, and I need to travel, what's the safest way to take it places? Do I need special accommodations, or can I just secure its tank into a car or something without the poor guy croaking?
7. As for tanks, we have this. When will this be too small? Will it ever outgrow the need for a tank at all? If I want to save energy, can I leave it by the window to get sunlight (Miami sun), or is that just not a good idea?
8. Is it safe to take him outside with supervision? Spring's nearly here, and I live in Miami. Will it always need supervision?
9. I took a cute photo a while back, with it being surrounded by (disconnected) headsets. Funny as it was, is that a bad idea? Can they enjoy music, even if they don't hear in a traditional sense? How can I tell?
10. Speaking of telling, these guys aren't cats or dogs (no crap). How do I tell what they feel? I mean, retreating into its shell is a giveaway for fear, but anything else I should know? What does discomfort look like? What are the signs of illness?
11. Are most vets able to help if a tortoise gets sick? Or are tortoises considered "exotic" and need specialized care?
Ahhh, sorry to overwhelm with questions my dude. I just want to give Buddy here the best life it can get as long as its under my care.
Here's some pics of the guy, if it helps any.
http://m.imgur.com/a/asu39
What can I do to make sure I'm the best possible caretaker I can be? I went through the FAQ boards and I also went through the "newbie mistakes" thing. I still have a few questions, though. I'm really new to this forum, so I'm super sorry if I accidentally broke a rule or something.
I promise, I'll learn! That's why I installed this app. Meanwhile, prepare for a barrage of stupid questions.
1. Best kind of food? My brother's been using storebought lettuce and salad leaves for the little guy. I've also got a kale garden. Anything else? What is a definite no-go to Marginated Tortoises? Any strage feeding habits for tortoises I should know? Schedules?
2. He didn't have calcium for a month or so, how detrimental will that be in the long run? I know the shell is made of bone, so does that stunt its growth? How big should they be at a year old? How fast do they grow?
(I ordered the calcium power inmediately, and it's here at home. I just sprinkled a little on his dinner)
3. How intelligent are they? Can they learn their names? (Can I teach it to play soccer, like I once saw a tortoise do?) Do they experience boredom? Idk about loneliness, since they're supposed to be solitary, but can they feel sexual frustration? When he gets bigger, can it become aggressive?
4. What age can I sex it? It's already been at least a year, so...? I remember something being said about a bulging belly?
5. Will my cat be a danger to it? Can I let my cat approach it, under supervision, of course, or should I keep her away from the little guy? If yes, will I have to do that forever, or is it "safer" when it gets bigger?
(For reference, my cat has a nipping habit, but that's because when we were younger I didn't train her properly, and played with her with my hands and feet. Everyone was kinda dumb when they're twelve, especially me.)
6. I may be going to get some higher education soon, after I get my AA from a local campus. If I go to a University, and I need to travel, what's the safest way to take it places? Do I need special accommodations, or can I just secure its tank into a car or something without the poor guy croaking?
7. As for tanks, we have this. When will this be too small? Will it ever outgrow the need for a tank at all? If I want to save energy, can I leave it by the window to get sunlight (Miami sun), or is that just not a good idea?
8. Is it safe to take him outside with supervision? Spring's nearly here, and I live in Miami. Will it always need supervision?
9. I took a cute photo a while back, with it being surrounded by (disconnected) headsets. Funny as it was, is that a bad idea? Can they enjoy music, even if they don't hear in a traditional sense? How can I tell?
10. Speaking of telling, these guys aren't cats or dogs (no crap). How do I tell what they feel? I mean, retreating into its shell is a giveaway for fear, but anything else I should know? What does discomfort look like? What are the signs of illness?
11. Are most vets able to help if a tortoise gets sick? Or are tortoises considered "exotic" and need specialized care?
Ahhh, sorry to overwhelm with questions my dude. I just want to give Buddy here the best life it can get as long as its under my care.
Here's some pics of the guy, if it helps any.
http://m.imgur.com/a/asu39