gfergo2
New Member
Hi all, I am English but I live near Valencia, Spain. Last week a tortoise appeared in our garden and I’ve been trying to look after him(?) since. I took him to the vet to see if he was chipped so I could reunite him with his rightful owner but sadly he is not.
I’ve been advised not to advertise locally with “Tortoise found” posters because apparently everyone will claim he is theirs so until something happens I’ll try to do my best by him.
Where we live is on the very edge of a forest and is very rural and mountainous. In fact we don’t really have any neighbours as most homes in the vicinity are holiday rentals and rarely occupied. Our property is the very last one before the forest starts so all we can see for miles are trees. Wherever he walked from to get to us must have been quite a way away! I’m told they don’t live wild so he must have escaped from his owner (or been released sadly!)
The climate here is very hot and dry. The summer days (March to November) peak are over 40c (100f) and the nights 25c (80f). In the winter (December to February) we do drop to just above freezing. Needless to say, currently it is VERY hot and this is expected until at least October. Also, there isn’t really anything noticeable which could be regarded as spring or autumn! Hot or cold, take it or leave it lol.
Photographs attached so hopefully one of the experts here can tell me what type he is and that will start me off in the right direction for his care. Marking a piece of paper with him sat on it puts him 13cm in length and 10cm wide (at the widest point)
At the risk of being slated for being an idiot I’ll come clean with all we have done so far as I’d rather know if I’m doing something wrong rather than say nothing and put him in any danger.
I have been feeding him on demand with iceberg lettuce, grated carrot and chopped cabbage with a little occasional unseeded tomato and apple. He has a shallow water bowl and a large ceramic dish for bathing in too (see photo).
In the day he strolls around our very large patio area (see photo) which is escape proof. He has a shoe box house with wood shavings and a stone inside which he uses as and when needed for sleeping in. Of a night I take him and his shoe box in and put him in a large plastic cage (20Dx40Wx80L) again with wood shavings, food and water. He goes in our utility room which is dark, warm and ventilated.
Reading all the threads on hibernation, humidity, lamps, etc, etc terrifies me! I guess time will reveal all and for now I need to walk before I can run. I just hope I’m as good a walker as he is!
As you may have guessed I’ve not owned a tortoise before so ANY help and advice would be greatly appreciated and is very much needed.
Thank you all in advance, I have tried to be thorough above but if you need any more photographs or have any questions please just ask.
I’ve been advised not to advertise locally with “Tortoise found” posters because apparently everyone will claim he is theirs so until something happens I’ll try to do my best by him.
Where we live is on the very edge of a forest and is very rural and mountainous. In fact we don’t really have any neighbours as most homes in the vicinity are holiday rentals and rarely occupied. Our property is the very last one before the forest starts so all we can see for miles are trees. Wherever he walked from to get to us must have been quite a way away! I’m told they don’t live wild so he must have escaped from his owner (or been released sadly!)
The climate here is very hot and dry. The summer days (March to November) peak are over 40c (100f) and the nights 25c (80f). In the winter (December to February) we do drop to just above freezing. Needless to say, currently it is VERY hot and this is expected until at least October. Also, there isn’t really anything noticeable which could be regarded as spring or autumn! Hot or cold, take it or leave it lol.
Photographs attached so hopefully one of the experts here can tell me what type he is and that will start me off in the right direction for his care. Marking a piece of paper with him sat on it puts him 13cm in length and 10cm wide (at the widest point)
At the risk of being slated for being an idiot I’ll come clean with all we have done so far as I’d rather know if I’m doing something wrong rather than say nothing and put him in any danger.
I have been feeding him on demand with iceberg lettuce, grated carrot and chopped cabbage with a little occasional unseeded tomato and apple. He has a shallow water bowl and a large ceramic dish for bathing in too (see photo).
In the day he strolls around our very large patio area (see photo) which is escape proof. He has a shoe box house with wood shavings and a stone inside which he uses as and when needed for sleeping in. Of a night I take him and his shoe box in and put him in a large plastic cage (20Dx40Wx80L) again with wood shavings, food and water. He goes in our utility room which is dark, warm and ventilated.
Reading all the threads on hibernation, humidity, lamps, etc, etc terrifies me! I guess time will reveal all and for now I need to walk before I can run. I just hope I’m as good a walker as he is!
As you may have guessed I’ve not owned a tortoise before so ANY help and advice would be greatly appreciated and is very much needed.
Thank you all in advance, I have tried to be thorough above but if you need any more photographs or have any questions please just ask.
