It is very important to know the important detail regarding the tortoise before the users decide to get them home. To know the details means to know everything about the pet that involves housing, set up, temperature, food requirements and the life of the pet.
So, to get to know about the tortoise you should read ahead.
Contents
Interesting facts about the tortoise:
- The tortoises can grow about 10 inches in length.
- These are vegetarians
- These creatures live on land and these are not like the turtles who swim
- These are cold-blooded creatures
- Their life is for about 50 years
Tortoise home:
Tortoises are seen to be present in different parts of the world. There are various species of tortoises that can go along very nicely. Moreover, it is seen that these species are very happy when they are grouped together with the same gender.
Enclosure:
The tortoise that is fully grown needs about 50 gallons of volume. Moreover, they need an enclosure that is ventilated and properly lit.
Lighting:
The tortoises like to soak their bodies in sunlight and these creatures are most active during the day. If you find that your pet isn’t getting enough sunlight then you need to provide the appropriate bulb that provides the UV rays for about 12 hours. Moreover, there are certain bulbs that won’t disturb your pets sleep and you will also be able to see your pet while it is sleeping.
Climate control:
It is important that you keep the environment of your pet toasty as well as damp. This is to be somewhat like the climate of countries from where they come. Moreover, the degree or the extent of heat will depend on the breed and the humidity levels of the climate that the pet has survived in. The Russian Tortoises usually live in drier environments that have about 50% of humidity. But the Greek Tortoises live in an environment that is wet and have a humidity of about 80%.
So, what you can do is keep different temperatures, that is keeping one side warm and the other side cold. This will help the pet to decide by itself for which side of the terrarium is suitable. Moreover, during the basking situations, the warmer side of the terrarium is very helpful. It is important that you place a thermometer at each end of the terrarium; this will help in keeping track of the temperature.
Moreover, you can turn off the heat lamps during the night and this will help your pet to sleep peacefully.
Temperatures:
It is seen that the Greek tortoise should be kept in temperatures of 65-75 degrees F in the nighttime while the daytime temperatures should be about 75-85 degrees F. On the warm side of the terrarium, the temperature should be 95-105F.
Also, for the Russian tortoise, the temperature should be around 65-75 degrees F and this is for the nights. The temperature in the daytime should be around 70-75 degrees F for the cool side during the day and 95-100 degree F for the warm side.
Tank décor:
It is seen that the tortoises like dry. Also, we find that 2-3 inches of calcium blend with soil can make the tortoise feel safe and right. But for the Russian tortoises, the layer of coconut fibre will hold the humidity.
You can easily decorate the enclosure using plants as well as sticks. Moreover, make sure that the plants you use are edible and do not cause any serious issues to your pet.
Also, keep the space clean and make sure you clean the enclosure once a week and also change the bedding once a month. Make sure your pet is able to adjust in the new home and give it space for about 3-4 days. Also, a tortoise can feel sick even if it is in the settled space for a long time. If you find any of the symptoms then you can go to the vet immediately:
- Hiding
- Loss in weight
- Swollen joint
- Discharge from eyes, nose or even mouth
- Discolouration of shell
- Droppings
The tortoise that is new and brought recently home should be checked for parasites. You need to quarantine the pet for some time and ensure that it is healthy. Some of the tortoises can be aggressive and if these are kept in a small enclosure for some time they might even result in fighting.
It might even lead to some injuries and serious ones in some cases as well.
It is important that you select the appropriate species for the tortoise and depending upon the housing needs and the diet requirements choose the one that you can easily take care of.
Moreover, do appropriate research regarding your pet.
Health problems:
Most of the reptiles suffer from some respiratory issues. The tortoises that are raised in the wild might suffer from infections and these will further lead to unsanitary conditions. The tortoise might even feel lethargic or might even face weight loss. They might even gather a lot of mucus around their nasal passages and mouth. The signs of infection will involve refusing food and even wheezing.
Respiratory infections also can be treated with antibiotics. But for this, it is necessary that the owners get their pet checked by a vet. Moreover, these pets are also prone to Metabolic Bone disease and this result due to deficiency of calcium.
Also, as with the other reptiles the tortoises need to be exposed to some UVB radiations. This can help them absorb the required calcium. If the tortoise will not get enough calcium then the signs can be noticed easily. If the tortoise is young then the shell won’t grow at a fast rate, and the ones that are old may even suffer from fractures.
Conclusion:
Well, the users should do their research before they shop any tortoise to keep as a pet. Moreover, as long as you provide the appropriate requirements and meet their needs they are suitable as pets.
More:
