Tortoise stray!!

Re: Tortoise stray!!

Sammy82 — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 10:30:57 GMT

They seem to go for anything red, tomatoes as well as painted toe nails. Clover inluding flowers is a favourite too. And you should provide some drinking water as well, although I must say I have never actually seen my parent's tortoise drinking in all my life (which is only half of it's life)

Re: Tortoise stray!!

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 22:19:45 GMT

You had me worried then... I thought paint or a drill might be involved...but that is actually hilarious and weirdly brilliant!

Re: Tortoise stray!!

Michael Woodhouse — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 22:09:55 GMT

To prevent it happening again:

http://youtu.be/X1n0rJ4AvL0

Re: Tortoise stray!!

ruths — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 20:23:34 GMT

I would also give him a nice warm bath- Have a look at the tortoise foundation ( I think) they have lots of good advice. They also like strawberries

Re: Tortoise stray!!

Sarah Bolt — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 14:26:04 GMT

Thank you very much for all the help and suggestions! All going OK so far so we'll get about finding a home/fosterer after the weekend! :-)

Re: Tortoise stray!!

Gillian Mostyn — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:45:31 GMT

(Dandelions cold....tortoise warm)

Re: Tortoise stray!!

Gillian Mostyn — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:43:53 GMT

Hahaha. Roasted tortoise....isn't that what the sailors used to eat? Easy to store them on ships apparently....

Re: Tortoise stray!!

Julian Earl — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:54:21 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

Looks like a horsefields? Does it have only 4 claws on the front feet?

All tortoises need supplementary heating in the UK. At this point don't worry about absolute temps and method....just provide heat. Ideally a heated kennel or box, but IG not then a heat pad, hot water bottle or box next to a radiator is better than nothing.

As far as feeding, offer weeds like dandelions and green leafy veg. They eat better when they are toasty warm.

Good luck![/quote]

Do you mean the dandelion leaves or the tortoise being toasty? I'm sure there's a law about toasting a tortoise y'know?!! ;)

Re: Tortoise stray!!

Gillian Mostyn — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 08:01:11 GMT

Looks like a horsefields? Does it have only 4 claws on the front feet?

Have you checked for a microchip? Wave scanner just in front of the left hind leg.

Tortoises are very good at digging and wandering and it looks in fairly good condition. It is worth putting signs up in the local area to check someone isn't looking for it. There is usually some kind of distinguishing mark on the shell to help with ID.

Next step is to get hold of someone who can arrange to look after it until owners come forward or it needs rehoming. It shouldn't be put with any other tortoises due to disease risk (people with tortoises already are often keen to take a new one... But they must use strict quarantine.) The British Chelonia Group and The Tortoise Trust are good places to start for further help and info.

As far as feeding, offer weeds like dandelions and green leafy veg. They eat better when they are toasty warm.

Good luck!

Re: Tortoise stray!!

Clare Tapsfield-Wright — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 23:45:38 GMT

Hi Sarah , if you can get hold of Mike Jessop on SPVS list then he is great with tortoises, I think that beak is very overgrown but I'm no expert . Good luck