As we said, it is not important for a pet tortoise to eat on a daily basis. While the jury is out on the perfect feeding schedule for an adult tortoise, skipping a day or two a week is perfectly normal. This is where a sort of plug forms in the digestive system and the tortoise can no longer poop.
This is pretty serious and needs a veterinary operation to remove the plug. The theory goes that tortoise digestion is dependent on their body temperature. That means, overnight — a tortoise is going to be cooler than during the day and that will slow their digestion down, potentially causing blockages.
Rather like human beings can skip a meal, your tortoise will not waste away if they find themselves going a few extra hours between meals. The rule of thumb is to feed them an amount of food equivalent to the size of their shell.
You should mostly be providing dark leafy greens though there are exceptions such as spinach — please see the linked article below about feeding a tortoise , some occasional fruit, and other veggies sporadically such as a bit of shredded carrots. In general tortoise poops are solid and damp.
When in doubt peruse some web sites. Good ones include tortoise. Any food questions? For more information, e-mail American Tortoise Rescue at info tortoise.
About Us. American Tortoise Rescue is a nonprofit founded in for the protection of all species of turtles and tortoises. We have rescued more than 4, since our inception. Foundlings that cannot be adopted because of ill health remain at the sanctuary for the remainder of their lives. ATR acts as a clearinghouse for information about turtle care.
Featured Posts. Posts are coming soon. Recent Posts. Save Us! May 1 1 post April 1 1 post February 1 1 post January 1 1 post May 1 1 post. Salad items, such as lettuces, have little nutritional value and contain little fibre. As a result, they pass through the tortoise's digestive system quickly, often giving rise to loose faeces.
Salad items should not be offered on a regular basis but can be used to supplement other food when overwintering your tortoise when healthier foods are less available. Vegetables such as Peas and Beans are high in protein and phytic acid should be avoided where possible. Root vegetables such as Carrots or Parsnips are high in carbohydrates and should be limited and preferably not fed at all.
Dark green leafy vegetables such as Cabbage are often recommended for tortoises when flowering plants and weeds are not available but remember they are high in goitrogens and should not be fed exclusively. Kale is one of the better vegetables, as it has a high iodine content which counteracts some of the effects of the goitrogens and it also has a better calcium-phosphorus ratio.
This website uses cookies in order to enhance your user experience. By using this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies from this website. This is what you receive when you purchase a tortoise smaller than 60mm. These tortoises are too small to microchip, therefore have a different certificate to those who are microchipped see next question.
This copy is sent to you as, by law, we only have to give you the certificate number, but feel it is better to send you a photocopy, as that is easier to store and keep safe.
This certificate has our name and address on, therefore, if you wish to sell your tortoise on, legally, you must chip your tortoise and apply for a species specific certificate. This means you have received the one and only certificate for your tortoise, there will be no other copies anywhere else.
This is a species specific certificate, required by law, for tortoises over 60mm. This means your tortoise will be microchipped and there will be a long number underneath the hatch date.
This is your microchip number, it is blank, so will need registering on Pet Registry UK. This certificate MUST stay with your tortoise it's entire life, there is no need to apply for another. If you had a yellow certificate, you had the only copy. It is not easy to apply for a new certificate without background information.
You certificate number, not only holds important information like country of origin, but also parental information. So you will always know where your tortoise came from. Applying anew will remove such important information, such as country of origin. If you happen to be purchasing your tortoise in the Spring and the tortoises are listed as microchipped, they will be coming up to a year old and will have already reached chipping size.
Always read the description when purchasing a tortoise, we will always state if the tortoise is microchipped we will not state if they are not.
On your certificate under the hatch date, there will be a long number, this is your tortoise's microchip number. Your tortoise's microchip is blank.
It is not registered to the breeder, ourselves, or yourself. You must register your microchip on Pet Registry UK to your own name, address and contact details.
A complete guide to rearing healthy Horsfield and Mediterranean tortoises written by The Tortoise Shop. Booklet includes: Accommodation, Diet and Hibernating techniques. A complete guide to hibernating your tortoise written by The Tortoise Shop. Booklet includes: the wind down, boxing your tortoise, waking up time. This website uses cookies in order to work correctly. No personal data is stored. Accept Cookies Read More.
Welcome visitor Login or Register. Call us: 22 22 14 Email: sales thetortoiseshop. Testimonials Marie, Aberdeenshire Both our torts died coming out of hibernation this year and I was very nervous about getting another. Lisa, Northampton love the new arrivel. Cas , Leeds It's my first time getting a pet Tortoise and I have absolutely no regrets.
Angela , Just a note to thank you for such a fast delivery. Vicky , Brighouse A massive thank you for the excellent service. Margaret, Glasgow My boyfriend got me the horsefield tortoise, which I have named Hugo, he arrived safely in Glasgow last Wednesday a.. Sally , I bought a marginated tortoise 'christmas pack no.
Jaqueline, Ramsgate Just received our delivery of 2 Horsefield Tortoises and Tortoise home, they've both arrived safety and pleased tha..
Courtney, Richmondshire thank you so much for all ur info! View All Testimonials. Remember Mediterranean and Horsfield tortoises take the same general care as each other.
General Care Does my tortoise need water? Yes, fresh water should be supplied daily and left in the run, indoor and outdoor. Regular bathing also helps to keep your tortoise hydrated, but should not be a replacement for the water dish. How often should I bath my tortoise? Young tortoises under 1 year must be bathed daily. However, there is no harm in continuing this practice into adulthood, especially during extreme weather, overwintering, heatwaves, etc.
Why should I bath my tortoise? What should I feed my tortoise? How much and how often should I feed my tortoise?
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