Summer newsletter 2002

Questions

As a new feature in our newsletter, we would like to introduce a section where we can answer our members' queries.

Is it possible to feed my tortoise TOO MUCH calcium?

No. If you feed your tortoise a lot of calcium, he will excrete any that he does not need. Tortoises need as much calcium as you can give them. Tortoises, particularly hatchlings and juvenile tortoises, are particularly at risk from metabolic bone disease if they do not have enough calcium. The way in which you can feed calcium is by sprinkling limestone flour, crushed egg shell or grated cuttlefish onto their food. Some tortoises like a piece of cuttlefish bone to bite at. This also keeps their beaks from overgrowing.

I have heard that my tortoise needs vitamin D3 to go with the calcium. Is this correct?

Yes, he does need D3, as this is the vitamin which helps him to use the calcium that you give him to make new bone and shell. In the wild he would get this from sunshine. As we have a problem getting enough sunshine in this country, many people use UV tubes or the new UV active bulbs. It is also possible to give vitamin D3 as a supplement on your tortoise's food. You must be careful, however, not to overdose with this, as too much can be harmful. If for example, you use the combined calcium and D3 spray, you need only use it once or twice a week.

Fingerprinting

Thank you to those members who are waiting patiently for the fingerprinting records taken at the April Open Day. Paul is working on completing these for us and they should be with you shortly.

Plant food list for Mediterranean tortoises

We have recently updated our list of plants suitable for feeding to Mediterranean tortoises. The main points to note is that food must be HIGH in fibre, with lots of additional calcium and some vitamin D and if possible, vitamin and mineral supplement.

The diet for Mediterranean tortoises must be 100% herbivorous

Please make sure that anything that is picked from the wild has been thoroughly washed in case it has been sprayed with any type of chemicals.

Make sure that your tortoises are regularly soaked, as recent research shows that a high percentage of tortoises suffer from dehydration. Leave your tortoise to soak for 20-30 minutes at least once a week. Some tortoises will drink, some will not. Leave the choice to them.

My tortoise Snoopy - by Joan Edwards

I ought her when we were allowed to buy

Before the ban, and the hue and cry

When importing caused so many to die!

I can tell her off till I'm blue in the face

And then she'll retreat into her carapace

And comes out again at her own steady pace

I'm sure she knows she's in disgrace

She gets up in the morning and sits by the light

Her head's alert and her eyes are bright

She expects her food to be in her sight

At least I knows she's had a good night

If the weather's poor, she'll sleep all day

But if the sun shines, she'll wander away

I talk to her often but she doesn't respond

But I'm sure we have a sort of bond

Two cranky oddballs I'm sure we are

Who cares, she's always my shining star

She's not a cuddly sort of pet

She's hard and spiky, and can be wet

I feed her well, she continues to grow

Why tortoises appeal to me I do not know

Some year she has laid a wonderful clutch

But then the hatchlings have been too much

To look after and cope with from day to day

I've had to send them on their way

Still, I lover her to bits, she's part of my scene

Torts have come and gone but she's always been

That priceless pet who has a special place

Hopefully she'll outlive me given God's good grace

Reminder

Members with fostered tortoises must bring them for their annual health check. Ryton on September 8th is the only remaining Open Day this year when you can do this!