I'm new to the forum. She is the first tortoise we have ever had. She is about two. Weighs almost 3 lbs and is almost 8" long. I live in North Florida and keep her outside all summer. She comes in whenever it is very rainy or the temps go down. When she is out, I don't feed her. Her yard is grasses, dandelions, clover, lettuces, and hibiscus( and the ever-present dollar weed. Too bad she won't touch that). When inside, she gets organic spring mix and greens. Have tried to add Mazuri many times. She won't eat it.
I have attached several photos of her for your assessment. She is pyramiding, which I take from this site is bad. Please advise on that. I soaked her when she was teeny, but stopped. She has her own private shallow pond outside, but I never see her in it. She used to get into her water dish inside, but doesn't fit anymore. I have soaked her every few days and will up that to every day again. She does not drink when I soak her. How can I tell if she is hydrated? She just looks 'dry' to me. A silly comment from someone who owns 15 water turtles to compare her to. We have high humidity here. If she is pyramiding anyway, what can I do the stop it? Should I try to supplement calcium? Sprinkle it on her greens?
On the welcome forum, I was advised to go ahead and move her outside year-round. I guess I can do that after this winter, but today I took her out. She went right to her sleeping spot where the heat pad is. It was 65 and sunny. ( Several RESs were basking. I use them as a guide on whether or not to try her outside)I had not fed her yet, she was all toasty from basking under her light, and she only took a few quick bites on her way to her spot. I brought her in and fed her. She ate and ran around the office while I took pictures of her. What temperature is warm enough for her to be out? Is it ok for her not to eat because its too cold? If not, should I bring her in and feed her? It worries me because I cannot tell if she doesn't eat without putting a camera on her, but when it gets chilly, she stays on her heating pad. That's when I bring her in.
How can I tell if she is getting enough to eat? I have seen fat turtles/tortoises. Do fat sulcatas look the same? Seems easier to spot a fat one than one that isn't getting enough.
While she's inside, how much exercise is enough? Her tub seems so small. Its a big storage bin. I see Sulcatas on YouTube that look like they can't get all the way off the ground. These are generally the same people that are feeding them fruit on the video too. I use fruit only as a treat to make sure she is acting plenty spunky. Yet, I have seen and read about so many people feeding fruit, I questioned my judgement. I feel reassured after reading up on here, but feel free to advise if you disagree. I have a good picture of her walking, so you can see her ground clearance. Please comment if that matters. I can put her on the treadmill (kidding).
I see several references to not mixing species on here. I have unintentionally done that. A few months ago, while at the dog park, my Dane pup brought me a box turtle. He weighed nearly 100 lbs at that point and when I saw what he had, I nearly had a heart attack. I recognized it as a box turtle, but have never even seen one and didn't know what to do. She was thoroughly slimed, but unharmed from her run in with my dog, but I figured her luck would not hold out living in a dog park and took her home to figure out where to release her. Some research let me know that was not a viable option, so she is living in the same part of the yard as Charlotte. She appears to be an Eastern Box turtle. She's looks healthy and is either nowhere to be found or trucking around doing whatever it is that she does. I don't see her for weeks, and then every day for a few. I have tried to feed her, but she ignores it and the lizards get fat and happy on her food. So, I stopped worrying about her. They have come across each other several times that I have seen, and shown no interest in one another. Charlotte is a bigger than her already. Are they not going to be alright in there together? Their yard is about 15x20'. There is a huge jasmine vine covering one side of the fence which gives shade and hiding spots, we let the grass get high, have some fountain grasses, ferns, peace lillies, and an elephant ear for them to hide in. Part of their enclosure is covered and stays dry except for the rainiest times. I guess I hoped it would be big enough. Not sure what to do with the displaced box turtle. I want to do the right thing for her, but for now, this is my biggest question.
Wow, that was a lot. Sorry, but all these questions are why I am here. No need for everyone to try to answer everything. Just please look at her and tell me if anything concerns you. Any amount of information is much appreciated. Thank you!
I have attached several photos of her for your assessment. She is pyramiding, which I take from this site is bad. Please advise on that. I soaked her when she was teeny, but stopped. She has her own private shallow pond outside, but I never see her in it. She used to get into her water dish inside, but doesn't fit anymore. I have soaked her every few days and will up that to every day again. She does not drink when I soak her. How can I tell if she is hydrated? She just looks 'dry' to me. A silly comment from someone who owns 15 water turtles to compare her to. We have high humidity here. If she is pyramiding anyway, what can I do the stop it? Should I try to supplement calcium? Sprinkle it on her greens?
On the welcome forum, I was advised to go ahead and move her outside year-round. I guess I can do that after this winter, but today I took her out. She went right to her sleeping spot where the heat pad is. It was 65 and sunny. ( Several RESs were basking. I use them as a guide on whether or not to try her outside)I had not fed her yet, she was all toasty from basking under her light, and she only took a few quick bites on her way to her spot. I brought her in and fed her. She ate and ran around the office while I took pictures of her. What temperature is warm enough for her to be out? Is it ok for her not to eat because its too cold? If not, should I bring her in and feed her? It worries me because I cannot tell if she doesn't eat without putting a camera on her, but when it gets chilly, she stays on her heating pad. That's when I bring her in.
How can I tell if she is getting enough to eat? I have seen fat turtles/tortoises. Do fat sulcatas look the same? Seems easier to spot a fat one than one that isn't getting enough.
While she's inside, how much exercise is enough? Her tub seems so small. Its a big storage bin. I see Sulcatas on YouTube that look like they can't get all the way off the ground. These are generally the same people that are feeding them fruit on the video too. I use fruit only as a treat to make sure she is acting plenty spunky. Yet, I have seen and read about so many people feeding fruit, I questioned my judgement. I feel reassured after reading up on here, but feel free to advise if you disagree. I have a good picture of her walking, so you can see her ground clearance. Please comment if that matters. I can put her on the treadmill (kidding).
I see several references to not mixing species on here. I have unintentionally done that. A few months ago, while at the dog park, my Dane pup brought me a box turtle. He weighed nearly 100 lbs at that point and when I saw what he had, I nearly had a heart attack. I recognized it as a box turtle, but have never even seen one and didn't know what to do. She was thoroughly slimed, but unharmed from her run in with my dog, but I figured her luck would not hold out living in a dog park and took her home to figure out where to release her. Some research let me know that was not a viable option, so she is living in the same part of the yard as Charlotte. She appears to be an Eastern Box turtle. She's looks healthy and is either nowhere to be found or trucking around doing whatever it is that she does. I don't see her for weeks, and then every day for a few. I have tried to feed her, but she ignores it and the lizards get fat and happy on her food. So, I stopped worrying about her. They have come across each other several times that I have seen, and shown no interest in one another. Charlotte is a bigger than her already. Are they not going to be alright in there together? Their yard is about 15x20'. There is a huge jasmine vine covering one side of the fence which gives shade and hiding spots, we let the grass get high, have some fountain grasses, ferns, peace lillies, and an elephant ear for them to hide in. Part of their enclosure is covered and stays dry except for the rainiest times. I guess I hoped it would be big enough. Not sure what to do with the displaced box turtle. I want to do the right thing for her, but for now, this is my biggest question.
Wow, that was a lot. Sorry, but all these questions are why I am here. No need for everyone to try to answer everything. Just please look at her and tell me if anything concerns you. Any amount of information is much appreciated. Thank you!
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