Patsy Tortoise - Adopted full grown in 1962

[Amber White]

Hey! So I thought it's about time I start learning from other experienced tortoise handlers regarding our little being that I have loved and has been loved for three generations. Patsy the desert tortoise was adopted full grown so we figure she was between 12-20yrs at least when we got her. So that makes her at least 65... I really hope she lives for a fourth generation to experience her awesomeness. I hear she could live to be 100 - fingers crossed. <3

Now, I don't understand how she has survived so many years on just a few ice-burg lettuce leaves daily, (that is little to no benefits for her). That was her diet before I inherited to responsibility to care for our green eyed family member. Since starting to really learn about her I have gradually increased the nutrients and proper diet. However that as when we still had a little porch where I could grow her favorite sprouts.

Occasional treats that she likes like seedless watermelon, cantaloupe & broccoli.
And not too much- Just sometimes.​

At first I tried to give her nutrient pellets but that didn't curb her enthusiasm- so now I mix up grassland pellets (soaked in purified water) along with mixed greens.
Found on this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0061S80WA/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20



But NOW I just have a balcony and a heat lamp set on a timer....she doesn't get to burrow into the ground naturally and that makes me sad. I keep telling myself we'll get a house someday witha proper back yard and all this is only temporary...

She still does her "lazy happy spread sunbathe" however I want her to be fulfilled with the digging she has known every season for decades.


As she is coming close to hibernation- I worry because the closet we have doesn't keep at a steady 50 degrees as I'd like it. And this summer heat in L.A is not a suitable winter outside on the balcony, even if I were to try and insulate a good sleeping den - let alone all the traffic that will probably keep her up (we live right on a really busy street).



I hear of people putting tortoises in mini fridges with a set temp gauge but that creeps me out. I am at a loss with about 1 more week until she is ready to hibernate. I hope to come up with a solution....

 

[Yvonne G]

What a beautiful tortoise. I have one with that pretty green eye too. And what's with the "cocaine toe nail"? LOL!

Welcome to the Forum! I hope you can figure out the hibernation thing. Maybe just keep her awake?

 

[Boris&Nellie]

Those eyes are incredible... I wish I had the knowledge to help you out!

 

[bouaboua]

She is a beauty for sure. But I have no idea regarding the fridge hibernation. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Keep her up, it won't hurt her.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Nice looking! Id keep him up during the Winter, make him warm n comfy. Seems happy.

 

[Amber White]

What a beautiful tortoise. I have one with that pretty green eye too. And what's with the "cocaine toe nail"? LOL!

Welcome to the Forum! I hope you can figure out the hibernation thing. Maybe just keep her awake?

Hahah thanks! I know....that nail has just always stayed long... I have always figured that it was long because of the direction her feet dig....like she just misses that one "cocaine toe nail".

 

[Amber White]

What a beautiful tortoise. I have one with that pretty green eye too. And what's with the "cocaine toe nail"? LOL!

Welcome to the Forum! I hope you can figure out the hibernation thing. Maybe just keep her awake?

Thanks! This is my first time doing stuff like this- so far I love it <3 So much info. Well...hmm, we've never kept her awake. She has always slept from Oct - April. I feel like, "if it ain't broke don't fix it" with her sleeping schedule. It's just that now that I keep pursuing what is "supposed" to be provided I start to worry.

 

[Amber White]

Those eyes are incredible... I wish I had the knowledge to help you out!

Thanks she does have some pretty greenies...

 

[Ciri]

As she is a desert tortoise, and a beautiful one at that, hibernating her in the closet is just fine. I have done it with mine. As I'm in Tucson, my reptile vet has said that it's okay to hibernate them 40°F-70°F. As long as it's within that range you're safe. And I have measured temperatures for outdoor hibernation and it's not always exactly the same either. I suggest sticking with what you've been doing for hibernation since it's worked well.

I always prepare my animals for hibernation by first getting a pre-hibernation check up with a good reptile specialist veterinarian. This is a good way to ensure that you're not inadvertently putting a sick animal into hibernation, risking them getting sicker and possibly even dying. I see that she means a lot to you. My animals mean a lot to me to and it's really nice to have peace of mind.

This is a brochure listing lots of really healthy foods for desert tortoises:
http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/tortoise/documents/NativePlantsforDesertTortoises_2008.pdf

a good source of seeds (they even have a desert tortoise wildflower mix):
http://shop.nativeseeds.org/pages/seeds

Winter is a great time to start planting things that she can eat when she gets up next spring. I know you have a much more limited space than you would like to have for her, but you can do a lot with potted plants that she will enjoy.

I love reading about desert tortoises – you might enjoy this also:
http://www.desertmuseum.org/programs/tap_tortcare.php

Best wishes for Patsy's winter snooze.

 

[Sue Harvey]

She is beautiful -we are new to tortoises - we have always had box turtles. We adore this lil one don't know if its a boy or girl.

 

[Amber White]

She is beautiful -we are new to tortoises - we have always had box turtles. We adore this lil one don't know if its a boy or girl.

AWW! of course you do that little one is so super cute!

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello Amber welcome to the TFO from AZ . Great looking desert tort . Have a great tort day !

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Welcome to TFO!

 

[stojanovski92113]

What a sharp looking tortoise you have. Sorry I can't help you out on hibernation as my torts don't hibernate. But I loved your pics and those torts eyes!!! I love the first pic, that should be on a calendar or a postcard, it's beautiful

 

[tortadise]

Welcome

 

[Jodie]

Beautiful tortoise for sure. Love the eyes.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

If you will be hibernating her in say a box in a closet, just make sure you allow for her to clean out her gut. Give her a good soaking. Check her for internal parasites. Then let her crash for a few months. Just don't be feeding her while she is down. You don't want food rotting in her gut if it's not warm enough for her to digest it. And if it's warm enough for her to digest food, she should be up.
Check the specie specific section here on the forum and read up on these great critters. Learn, grow and ask questions. Soon you too will be answering questions from newbies.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

And welcome to the forum. We're a pretty good group of friendly folks that really only care to help tortoises and turtles have long, healthy lives to fill our days with amusement.

 

[Amber White]

What a sharp looking tortoise you have. Sorry I can't help you out on hibernation as my torts don't hibernate. But I loved your pics and those torts eyes!!! I love the first pic, that should be on a calendar or a postcard, it's beautiful

THANK YOU! She is a cherished one for sure. I'm glad I finally get to share my pictures to others that are interested. I enjoy seeing everyone else's as well.