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Tortoise Care: A Few Tips For Beginners
By Dog Lover | May 20, 2009
One of the most popular types of tortoise is the Sulculta Tortoise, yes, there is also the Galapagos Tortoise, but personally, one of our favorites is the sulculta. Sulculta Tortoises are the second biggest in the world. We have a sulculta as well as some other reptiles and snakes. We have tons of advice to give you. Do we label ourselves an expert? When it comes to caring for a pet tortoise, we sure do. Continue reading this article in order to learn what you need to do.
Sulculta tortoises are known for having a long lifespan. They actually have been known to outlive humans! If you want your tortoise to live a long time, you need to understand what responsibilities are included in his care. It is kind of bizarre to think that humans can pass colds on to tortoises. Unfortunately for a tortoise, such a cold could be deadly to him! They also are prone to developing “crust” in their eyes, so you must keep a look out for that.
Tortoises may be (very gently!) handled when they are young, however most of them grow too large to be held comfortably. Moving a turtle is simply a case of appealing to their tastes. A bright edible flower or a piece of fruit may be used as a luring device. Tortoises can eat fresh grass from outside as long as you are positive that it doesn’t contain any chemicals which can be harmful. If you want an “outside tortoise,” you can build a covered shelter for him, but it HAS to have a roof to keep him from being preyed upon. Also, depending upon the temperature where you live, you may have to have the housing temperature controlled, as tortoises can be very sensitive to temperature.
If you do keep your tortoise outside, you need to make sure that he is able to find both direct sunlight as well as shade. If your tortoise is brought indoors, you will need to set up some form of artificial sunlight that can last around 14 hours or so. This can be done by using a full spectrum UVB light, as long as you replace the light on a regular basis. Tortoise care can be very rewarding, but it is best that you only take on the responsibility if you understand WHAT the responsibilities are. Do a lot of homework and gain as much knowledge about your breed of tortoise as you can. If cared for properly, you and your tortoise can develop a wonderful relationship.
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Topics: Reptiles and Amphibians | No Comments »