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| 1 |
Mediterranean
tortoise are the most common tortoise living in this
country. |
| 2 |
There are
many captive breeding programs in this country at
present. |
| 3 |
By
Mediterranean tortoise we refer to the Spur thighed and
Henman's |
| 4 |
Thankfully
these species were banned from importation in the
seventies. |
| 5 |
Many of the
tortoises living in this country to-day were brought in
before the ban. |
| 6 |
There are
many different species- from the Mediterranean tortoise
that hibernate, to the tropical species that do not. |
| 7 |
Tortoises
are cold blooded reptiles. |
| 8 |
Tortoises
need the warmth from the sun to warm their blood. |
| 9 |
As we need
food for energy, they need the sun. |
| 10 |
Once they
are warm they can eat and digest food. |
| 11 |
Temperatures
up to 90 deg F are required depending on species. |
| 12 |
Tortoises
living in our climate require extra light and heat from
a basking lamp. |
| 13 |
A basking
lamp is a reflector lamp - not a heat lamp. |
| 14 |
They require
UV rays from the sun and turn this into vitamin D. |
| 15 |
The tortoise
should be allowed to have access to an outdoor garden. |
| 16 |
One of the
two main parts of a tortoise diet is fibre, secondly
calcium. |
| 17 |
Foods such
as bread, milk, cereal, tinned fruit and dog food have
been given to tortoises in the past with detrimental
effects - causing lumpy shell and overweight leading to
many internal problems. |
| 18 |
Weeds -
Dandelion, clover, Sow thistle and plantains are best
offered. |
| 19 |
The life
span can be 100 years or more. |
| 20 |
Different
species/sexes of tortoise should be housed separately. |
| 21 |
Tortoise
produce eggs and bury them in the ground. |
| 22 |
As many as 6
eggs are laid twice a year. |
| 23 |
The sex of
the hatchling is determined by the temperature in which
the egg is incubated. |
| 24 |
Hatchlings
are as Independent as adult tortoise. |
| 25 |
Hatchlings
are normally kept in a vivarium for two years. |
| 26 |
Hatchlings
can be hibernated for a short period - by experienced
owners. |
| 27 |
Adult
tortoise hibernate for four months of the year normally
from November to February. |
| 28 |
Only healthy
tortoise should be hibernated. |
| 29 |
In the wild
they would bury themselves into the ground. |
| 30 |
In captivity
the most common methods are the Box or Fridge method. |
| 31 |
Not all
tortoises hibernate naturally - depending on the
species. |
| 32 |
Ideal
temperature for hibernation are 5-6. deg c |
| 33 |
Freezing
temperatures can cause blindness or be fatal. |
| 34 |
Owners
should weigh and measure their tortoises regularly. |
| 35 |
Vitamin
Injections should not be given unless there is a genuine
vitamin deficiency. |
|
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We trust
this Information has answered some of your questions on
tortoises. |
