May 12
9
The Horsfield Tortoise
The Horsfield tortoise is a very popular pet tortoise. It is not shy around humans, and it is naturally curious about its environment. Plus, the Horsfield tortoise only grows to be between five and ten inches in length, the female being the larger of the species.
It is easy to recognize the Horsfield tortoise. They have a sandy, straw colored yellow body and their shells are usually a dark muddy color or black. Many people do not consider them particularly attractive, although they are quite pretty to look at. The Horsfield tortoise also has a long life span and can live to be between fifty and seventy five years old. This means that as a pet they are usually passed down throughout the generations of a family.
These little tortoises are also naturally excellent diggers. If they are kept in an outdoor habitat, it is important to dig the habitat deep into the ground so they can’t escape and get hurt. They also need a warm and dry habitat to love in because they do not do well in cold or damp weather and can become ill. It is best to keep them outside at least daily giving them plenty of sunlight. These tortoises require sunlight to digest their food.
They love to eat raw vegetables such as romaine lettuce and dandelions, however, don’t give them too many fruits. The sweetness of the fruit can upset their stomachs.
Give your Horsfield tortoise plenty of water daily. It is also recommended that you give them a daily bath in shallow, warm water to keep them hydrated. Because of their natural knack for burrowing, give your Horsfield tortoise plenty of grass, straw, or other materials for crawling under. This tortoise is a natural hibernator and will need a place to burrow and hide during hibernations.
You must keep your tortoise warm by giving it a UVB lamp and keeping it indoors during the winter months. However, it is always nest to have your tortoise living outdoors when weather permits so that they get plenty of much needed fresh air and sunlight. When keeping them outdoors, make sure they are in a safely locked enclosure so they don’t get out and get injured by natural predators.
The Horsfield tortoise is known most commonly as the Russian tortoise. You can find these particular tortoises in areas such as Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan as well as their surrounding areas. The horsfield tortoise makes and excellent pet and was even the first tortoise in space.
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Apr 12
24
Making Tortoise Housing
There are plenty of ways for making tortoise housing, however, it is very important to know which species of tortoise you have. There are numerous species of tortoises and they come from all over the globe. Some tortoises are better in dry, desert climates whereas others are better in hot, humid climates. One thing is for certain, no tortoise can swim, so they must have a land dwelling habitat.
Tortoises make excellent pets and they can be kept indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather. It is mostly recommended they are kept outdoors. Tortoises require a lot of warmth to keep from getting ill and they need sunlight to be able to properly digest their foods. An outdoor habitat is bet, however, if the temperatures are too cold, keep your tortoise indoors and give them a UVB heating lamp to bask under.
If you are wanting to make your own tortoise habitat, keep a few things in mind. Some tortoises do not like to share their space. Make sure the species you have is a communal species. For example, there are a few tortoises in which keeping more than one male together could be potentially harmful. Other tortoises are fine living socially with each other.
If you have a species that is a digger or burrower, make sure you build the enclosure properly to keep your tortoise from being able to dig under it and escape. Also, keep the enclosure well ventilated and make the walls high enough so that they cannot crawl over them. If the wall is twice the size of the length of the largest turtle you have, then there should not be a problem.
Turtle enclosures can be made from wood or plexi glass. It is important, however, to make sure that your enclosure is large enough for your turtle. Giving a space nine times larger than the largest turtle will assure your turtle has plenty of room to run around and play in. Plant edible plants in and around the enclosure when possible. Tortoises like their food on the go.
Indoors, keep your tortoise in a nice, large aquarium, but remember they don’t swim. Simply fill the aquarium with plenty of earth resembling its natural habitat and keep your tortoise warm and comfortable. Making tortoise housing requires you to research your pet’s natural terrain and try to copy that terrain for their new home.
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Apr 12
9
How To Build A Tortoise House
If you are thinking of keeping a pet tortoise, you might want to know how to build a tortoise house. Tortoises are lovely, land dwelling creatures. They are quiet and gentle and they are not high maintenance pets. However, tortoises do have certain needs and one specific need is that they require room to roam. Tortoises love to explore and walk around and climb, so keeping them requires they are allowed to have enough room for their curious nature.
The first thing to keep in mind is that turtles are land dwellers. Because of that, they will not like living in a pool or a large water aquarium. In fact, a tortoise cannot swim and keeping your pet tortoise in an aquarium could potentially cause it to drown. This is why it is important to build an enclosure either outdoors or make an inside enclosure look like the outdoors. In other words, they will need grass and leaves and places they can hide in the even they feel frightened. Turtles are very reclusive and shy, so they need a place to hide.
The size of their habitat depends on the size of the tortoise. A general guideline is that for every twelve inches of tortoise, you need three yards of home. So, if your pet is two feet in length, you need and eighteen foot by eighteen foot enclosure. You can build an enclosure out of wood or plexi glass. Make sure they have a large enough opening for getting in and out of their home. Also, keep the walls of the home high enough to keep your tortoise from climbing out. Make the walls twice the size of the length of your tortoise.
Different species of tortoises require different habitats. Some tortoises are desert dwellers and instead of leaves and dirt, they will need sand and a lot of warmth. You can add a heating element to your tortoise habitat by using a heating lamp. Be sure to keep the cords well out of the tortoises reach so they won’t chew on them or trip over them and injure themselves.
Tortoises will need a lot of ventilation and if they are being kept outside make sure you can lock them in their home at night to keep any predators out. There are many materials and methods or designs you can use when learning how to build a tortoise home, however, room, heat, ventilation, and natural landscaping are the key components.
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Mar 12
25
Preparing Tortoise Housing
Just as it is important to keep in mind a tortoise’s natural wild environment when choosing foods to feed your tortoise, the same concept is important in choosing tortoise housing. A best-case scenario would be to keep your tortoise in a suitable outdoor environment. If you, however, have a desert tortoise and live in a tropical environment, your tortoise could get skin and shell infections from being outside too often. It is important to try to recreate your tortoise’s natural environment as closely as possible when choosing a home. Tortoises absorb essential vitamins just from being outdoors in their natural habitat, so even if you are unable to keep your tortoise outside full time, it is a good idea to make a space where your tortoise can be outdoors some of the time.
Space is another important consideration to keep in mind when choosing housing for your tortoise. Even small tortoises need a lot of floor space so that they can remain active and engaged in their environment. It is very important when choosing a tortoise to keep as a pet to determine how much space you have to dedicate to the animal. If you don’t have a lot of space to provide a tortoise, choose a tortoise that is on the smaller end of the scale of the various species. Otherwise, if you keep your tortoise in a cramped area, it may exhibit lethargic behavior. For example, putting your tortoise into an aquarium would not provide ample space for it to wander and explore. They also are difficult to regulate correct temperatures or circulate proper airflow. Oftentimes, the best way to find a home for your tortoise is to build a simple enclosure for it.
If you are building an outdoor pen for your tortoise, make sure that the walls are high enough to prevent escape, and prevent predators from entering. Some tortoises are very good climbers or burrowers, so it is very important to pay attention to the security of the pen you are building.
There are many resources online, which give more details on building an enclosure for your tortoise. Please visit them and find out what type of tortoise housing will best suit your tortoise’s needs and natural environment.
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Mar 12
16
Building A Tortoise House
When you make up your mind to get a pet tortoise, you need to build an appropriate house for it. A glass aquarium is not a very good home for a tortoise because they are too small, and tortoises don’t like to be seen all the time. Even though tortoises are slow, they like to move about and roam. So, plan a house of 3 square feet for a 12 inch long tortoise. It’s better if you use a house made of wood for the tortoise. A homemade wooden box is generally preferred for the purpose of indoor housing. A huge wooden box with a large floor space is constructed. Following are the steps that would be helpful for you to build a tortoise house.
1. Make a wooden cardboard box approximately three times the size of your tortoise. Cut out one side of the cardboard box for making a place for the tortoise to hide. Tortoises like to hide in caves, for avoiding other animals and also for shade. The box should be large enough so that your tortoise gets enough room to move, but it should not be made close to the side for the tortoise to climb up and escape.
2. Try to create a natural environment for the tortoise, such as rocks, edible plants and some logs for making your tortoise more comfortable.
3. Install a UVA/UVB lamp so that the tortoise gets sufficient UV rays. The lamp should be able to emit a temperature of approximately 80-90 degrees, which would help to regulate the tortoise’s body temperature.
4. For small tortoises some people use boxes made of plastic. They are lightweight, easy to clean and come in quite large sizes. However, their sides are tall so there might be a problem of proper ventilation. Drilling small holes in the sides would be helpful.
Ensure that your tortoise house is safe and prevents the tortoise from escaping. Also keep in mind that the various furnishings that you use inside the tortoise house are such that they don’t help the tortoise to climb up and out of the walls of the box. The sides of the box should be double the height of the house. Lastly, it is very important for all the animals that are placed in captivity to get a natural environment. So, build a tortoise house that is most close to nature.
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Mar 12
4
The Gopher Tortoise
The gopher tortoise, a semi-tropical dweller native to the Southeastern States of America, generates a remarkable impact on its environment. By creating an extensive network of burrows in its immediate surroundings, it provides a home not only for itself, but also for a surprising amount of other life.
Animals as widely divergent as skunks, indigo snakes, rabbits, foxes, mice and frogs share in the housing of its Chelonian landlord, the gopher tortoise. While the burrows can be anywhere between 6 ft (1.8m) and 50 ft (15.24m), 30ft (9.14m) is a good average.
The gopher tortoise eats just about anything it can find, even carrion and bones, but they prefer grasses, herbs, saw palmetto berries and gopher apples.
Gopher tortoises are listed, as a threatened species in Florida, South Carolina and Louisiana and it is illegal to remove them from their environment. There are circumstances under which a human carer might be issued with a permit to take in an injured or rescued tortoise that cannot be returned to the wild. Permits are also required to relocate tortoises and it is forbidden in certain states to smoke out rattlesnakes, which are sometimes co-habitants of gopher burrows.
These tortoises live up to 40 years and mature in 10 to 15 years. After the lengthy progression to adulthood, they are reticent breeders. Interestingly, while their burrows protect them from fires, they do benefit from the after effects of those same fires. It clears the tree canopy and promotes the growth of the herbaceous plants they eat. Ideally, the area they live in is sandy and well drained, with plenty of open spaces where they can bask in the sun.
The population numbers of gopher tortoises are threatened in various ways. The encroachment of human development compacts their natural habitats, but also drive larger numbers of other animals into those territories. Often attempts are made to relocate the gopher tortoises occurring in land earmarked for development. A reasonable retention rate is achieved, although respiratory ailments have been detected in a small amount of relocated tortoises. In such instances, care should be taken in monitoring elements such as fire hazards and predators in the new area. During the first few years after hatching, when the shell is still soft, gopher tortoises are particularly vulnerable to predators such as raccoons, indigo snakes, black bears, and red-tailed hawks.
They belong to the only group of tortoises native to the United States. The shell is flattened and there is a size discrepancy between the legs. The back legs are much larger than the front legs. The gopher tortoise is estimated to have been around for 60 million years, belonging to a group of tortoises of which only four species remain.
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The galapagos tortoise is the largest living species, measuring at up to 5.9 feet (or 1.8m) and weighing in at 880 lb (or 400kg). It is also famous for its longevity. One example was Harriet, a passenger aboard the Beagle’s famous voyage of 1835, who died in 2006 at the ripe old age of 175.
The Galapagos Islands, their native home, is located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America, and was famed for a vastly divergent proliferation of life.
For this reason, Charles Darwin spent some time there, an exercise that may have contributed to his famous work ‘The Origin of Species’. The name “Insulae de los Galapagos” translates to the Islands of the Tortoises, after the giant species that live there.
Due to the isolation of some of the territory, a variety of subspecies and adaptations have occurred within this breed. For example, some of these tortoises are known to eat the plant ‘Hippomane mancinella’ or Manchineel, which is highly poisonous, without coming to harm. They can also survive for long periods on little or no water. In nature they have developed a symbiotic relationship with the finch, which rids them of ticks and other parasites.
Two distinct shell forms, the flatter ‘saddleback’ and the more regular domed shape characterize the breed. A few subspecies are classed intermediate, as they seem to have bridging characteristics. The saddlebacks that occur in the drier regions of the islands, also boast noticeably longer necks and legs. The long necks of the saddlebacks intrigue scientists. Some theorize that it evolved to help them reach taller vegetation, while others allege that the males with the longest necks are more desirable as mates. The domed galapagos, which occur in the wetter, more densely forested regions, are known by their shorter legs and shorter necks.
Galapagos tortoises are now considered endangered through past overexploitation. Four of the subspecies are extinct, one male named Lonesome George who lives at the Charles Darwin Research Station being the last of his kind.
Some islands were severely depleted due to whalers of the 19th century regarding them as a ready source of food. In places the sex ratio of those left behind complicated breeding, while the introduction of domestic and other animals that ate the tortoise eggs further impacted on population numbers. The government of Ecuador, which controls these islands, have stepped in to introduce strict laws to protect the galapagos tortoises.
The galapagos tortoise takes up to 40 years to reach full size, but is ready to mate from the age of 20 to 25 years.
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Feb 12
9
All About The Hermann Tortoise
The Hermann tortoise is golden brown in color and has two dark stripes on the bottom of its shell. These stripes are very bright but are likely to fade as the tortoise grows older. These creatures have an upper jaw that is slightly hooked, and just like other tortoises, they don’t have any teeth. The upper part of its shell, the carapace has scales that extend over the hind legs and flares out a little. The male tortoises are generally smaller than the females and have comparatively thicker tails.
The Natural Habitat of the Hermann Tortoise:
Hermann tortoises are generally small to medium in size and they belong to southern Europe. These animals live in hollows that are usually protected by dense bushes. These creatures like to live in Mediterranean forests and parched grasslands. However, it is very unfortunate that a lot of its natural habitat has been lost because of the recent urbanization.
The Hermann Tortoise As A Pet:
The hermann tortoise is very strong and sturdy, but it needs a sunny and dry outdoor cage or enclosure. It can tolerate dampness better a damp enclosure is very suitable for it. These creatures hibernate in winters and extra care must be taken to ensure that they hibernate healthy. If they hibernate while being ill or unwell, they are likely to die in the process.
The Diet of A Hermann Tortoise:
The Hermann tortoise likes fleshy vegetables and a variety of herbivorous foods. They decide what to eat by their sense of small. They also eat tiny insects, such as slugs and snails, which these creatures catch in their enclosure.
The Breeding Habits of The Hermann Tortoise:
The male Hermann is not as aggressive and rough as the females. They lay their eggs in clutches, and they need to be incubated in a special type of incubator. It is very important that the temperature is constant and should be 91 degrees. The humidity should be 0-8%. The hatching time is generally 60-70 days.
Hermann tortoises make excellent pets subject to the condition that you provide them a well built and a desirable enclosure. They like to eat plants and love to hide under the leaves rather than digging burrows in the earth. So, you have make provisions for a lot of hiding places for it inside the enclosure. Also make sure that you place proper type of plants inside the enclosure because many wild plants are toxic and can be poisonous to your Hermann tortoise.
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tortoise housing must primarily provide the tortoise with refuge from the harmful elements within its immediate surroundings. When in the wild, they use whatever cover is available in the form of bushes or hollows and eat what Mother Nature provides.
Caring for a tortoise in captivity means safeguarding its environment against those hazards that it might not be adapted to deal with on its own. Hard as the tortoise shell is, it can still suffer a painful fracture that may be complicated and expensive to correct.
For outside tortoise housing, safeguarding the area against predators should be an overriding consideration. Dogs and cats, for example, should not be able to get to your tortoises. By that token, you should include your own pets too, as dogs, especially puppies sometimes view a tortoise carapace as a great teething ring. At night, when you are asleep, your outdoor living tortoises would be most at risk. Strays and wild animals could find a way into your garden or nocturnal predators might well decide to make a meal of one of your tortoises, especially if you have tender young hatchlings.
Land dwelling predators are not the only threat that could target your tortoises at night. Raptors such as owls have no difficulty getting past basic fences. The most effective strategy would be to close the tortoise pen off with wire mesh, which is close to impenetrable.
As with small children, when you are planning the purchase of a tortoise you should scrutinize your grounds for potential hazards. Take garden steps for instance. A tortoise could topple and crack its shell when trying to master one. Although a tortoise needs access to water, it is not a good idea to give it a free run towards the fishpond or worse yet, the swimming pool. A tortoise needs a shallow dish to bathe in. It cannot swim very well and could drown if it accidentally falls into a deep body of water.
You will also need to keep poisonous plant matter such as ragwort and foxglove out of the tortoise’s reach. Do not spray pesticides on any of the tortoise’s edible plants or near it, as this will be damaging to its health.
While a tortoise living inside the house is safe from nocturnal hunters, it could easily encounter other threats to its health. Beware, for example of overheating, if you place the tortoise table near the window while the sun is shining. The glass could magnify the temperature without any other benefits being enjoyed.
If you have the habit of sometimes removing your tortoise from its enclosure, do supervise its movements. If leaving it on a shelf or a table, it could easily fall down while your attention is elsewhere. Do not allow children or other household pets to interact with the tortoises without an adult being present. When in doubt, it is safer to return it to the sanctuary of its tortoise housing.
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Jan 12
5
Breeding The Horsfield Tortoise
Modest in size and hardy, the Horsfield tortoise makes a sought after pet for reptile enthusiasts. This may be enticement enough for some owners to try their hand at breeding the species.
Horsfield tortoises are genetically programmed to mate and reproduce in the spring. Some tortoise owners report that their Horsfields begin to make attempts to breed from the age of four, but they are rarely fertile before they reach the age of six. For optimum results, you can expect them to be completely ready to reproduce by the time they are eight years old.
Thinking in terms of human monogamy, one would be tempted to start of with a single pair of one male and one female. In the animal world, though, this might well drive the poor female to exhaustion. A suggested ratio is that of three females to one male. When he is ready, the male will leave little doubt of his attentions. Horsfields often utter loud cries and follow the female around, nodding his head and even attempting to snap at her.
Afterwards, the female will be the one suffering restlessness. She might make several attempts to nest before she is completely satisfied with the results and lays up to five eggs. The next step will involve incubation. According to various experienced breeders, you can decide the sex of your hatchings by manipulating the temperature of incubation. For females you would need a slightly hotter setting, although it may be unsafe to go over 32 degrees Celsius.
The moment any tortoise breeder eagerly awaits is the appearance of the first crack. Patience is required, though. horsfield tortoises can take as long as 48 hours to hatch. During that period, the yolk will still feed and sustain them.
You may have to wait as long as fourteen days until the hatchlings eat normally, but do not be too concerned. The yolk reserves are enough to nourish them. Hatchlings eat the same food as adult tortoises, but they will need more frequent doses of calcium allow their bones and shells to grow in a healthy fashion. Add some to their food, but also seed their area with cuttlebone.
There are circumstances under which attempts to breed your tortoises are not exactly recommended. For example, an aging female may fall prey to a condition known as egg binding, where an egg becomes blocked inside her. This most often occurs when that egg is of rougher consistency and sterile. The complication could result in the female’s death.
Sometimes, if a tortoise pair spends much of their daily lives together, they might grow complacent and not display any mating behaviour. The trick is then to separate them for a couple of weeks or perhaps a month. When your Horsfield tortoise couple are reunited, they might well celebrate in amorous style.
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