Hello from England! I need some opinions on my sulcata please :)

gg888

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Funny you mention that. I am constantly enlarging those door holes in my humid nodes for all my tortoises… :)

All my tortoises eat and trample any live plants, so I don't bother. Some people have good luck using potted plants. Just make sure they aren't full of the commonly used systemic pesticides. Any plant bought in a store over here is not trustworthy.
I went to Asda, and had to buy the biggest one I could find because he wouldn't fit in any of the others! I'll have to think of something else as soon as he outgrows it :)
 

Lyn W

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I went to Asda, and had to buy the biggest one I could find because he wouldn't fit in any of the others! I'll have to think of something else as soon as he outgrows it :)
My leopard is about 11" long and stands abut 8" high so I use the top of an enclosed cat litter tray (£9.99 in The Range)
I removed the swing door flap as he wouldn't go in with that there
The tray is handy for his soaks.
This may be a bit big for your enclosure at the moment though, but worth bearing in mind for the future.
 

Lyn W

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I might attempt to grow them myself, at least then I'll know they're safe and what soil I've used! I debated plastic plants for something for him to hide in but I wasn't sure if they were safe, so I didn't bother!
If you know someone who has had one for a while you could ask for cuttings.
I have 6 'babies' growing from my originals.
I think there is a risk torts will nibble fake leaves, so I've avoided those too.
 

gg888

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If you know someone who has had one for a while you could ask for cuttings.
I have 6 'babies' growing from my originals.
I think there is a risk torts will nibble fake leaves, so I've avoided those too.
I've been using a litter tray for soaks too, it's the only thing I could find big enough! I think Barnie will be ok where he is for another 6 months to a year (hopefully) but then I'm going to have to build something bigger. Eventually my father in law is building us a garage for him, which will make life much easier! I just need to get better at growing things!
 

Lyn W

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Leicester (East Midlands). Not a good place to keep tortoises that like warmth!
There is a good Tortoise group in Leicester (Blaby) they also meet in another place that I can't remember at the moment but if you google it you will find their webpage. They have meetings and vets to visit to check the torts and give health checks.
 

gg888

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There is a good Tortoise group in Leicester (Blaby) they also meet in another place that I can't remember at the moment but if you google it you will find their webpage. They have meetings and vets to visit to check the torts and give health checks.
Really?! I hadn't heard about that, I'll definitely look into that. I have been worrying about if my torts get poorly, because I don't know any local specialist vets! Thanks Lyn :)
 

Lyn W

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Really?! I hadn't heard about that, I'll definitely look into that. I have been worrying about if my torts get poorly, because I don't know any local specialist vets! Thanks Lyn :)
Your welcome - my sister lives in Leics.
I wish I had a tort group near me!
 

gg888

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It's literally just down the road from me, near to where I work :) from reading the website I think the meetings star again next year. I'll take my father in law along though, as he's got three torts :)
 

Lyn W

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It's literally just down the road from me, near to where I work :) from reading the website I think the meetings star again next year. I'll take my father in law along though, as he's got three torts :)
If you contact them they will recommend good vets in the area.
My sister spoke to one of the members for advice when I first had Lola and he was really helpful and said I was welcome to go and see his torts and set up anytime. I think he had a leopard.
 

gg888

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That's really cool. I can't believe it's so close to me and I hadn't heard about it! That's a big relief though, now I know what to do if Bertie or Barnie have any problems. Phew!
 

Lyn W

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That's really cool. I can't believe it's so close to me and I hadn't heard about it! That's a big relief though, now I know what to do if Bertie or Barnie have any problems. Phew!
There is actually a vet list which recommends 2 tortoise vets in Leics. - hopefully you won't need them but at least you will know where they are.
 

Lyn W

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we should start a South Wales group
I think there is or was one in Neath/Swansea area but not really looked into too much as it is about and hour away from me.
I will see if it is still running.
 

pepsiandjac

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I think there is or was one in Neath/Swansea area but not really looked into too much as it is about and hour away from me.
I will see if it is still running.
I think I read about that 1 before too.havent heard anything about it for a long time
 

gg888

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I think there is or was one in Neath/Swansea area but not really looked into too much as it is about and hour away from me.
I will see if it is still running.
Just a quick question, how do you weigh your torts? I want to keep a log of their weight to keep an eye on it, but Barnie won't sit still on the scales so I can't get an accurate reading!
 

Lyn W

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Just a quick question, how do you weigh your torts? I want to keep a log of their weight to keep an eye on it, but Barnie won't sit still on the scales so I can't get an accurate reading!
Some people raise the tort using an upturned bowl, tub etc so his legs can't touch the scales and he can't move , don't forget to adjust the scales back to zero once the tub or whatever is placed on so you get a accurate reading when you add the tort.
If you do a search you may find some of the pics that have been posted.
 

Gillian M

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Leicester (East Midlands). Not a good place to keep tortoises that like warmth!
I have the same problem; as I live in Jordan; the climate of which is "desert climate:" VERY HOT Summer and FREEZING COLD Winter with...SNOW, which is hard to believe. OLI:<3: (my beloved tort) and I both love Summer, by coincidence.;)
 

gg888

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I have the same problem; as I live in Jordan; the climate of which is "desert climate:" VERY HOT Summer and FREEZING COLD Winter with...SNOW, which is hard to believe. OLI:<3: (my beloved tort) and I both love Summer, by coincidence.;)
I guess I can't complain too much then! Although I'm now going out every night and picking weeds for Barnie and Bertie, my garden will be empty soon as they eat so much!
 
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