New Baby Tort Sheldon!

[magoo]

We got him on May 12th - he was only a hatchling. The store had about 8 or 9 of them - we looked in the case and he was the only one looking at us, so we got him!
I wish I could have bought them all and given them a good home - I hate to see them in a bare glass vivarium on generic alfafa pellets. I just hope that the rest of them go to good homes...
We are already considering getting another as a buddy for Shelly.

He's so cute!
 

[magoo]

We were a bit concerned the first few days, as he didn't seem to have much of an appetite, but now he's chomping away on spinach, alfafa, hay and pretty much anything he can get.
He weighed in at a huge 42 grams when we got him - he went up to 42.5g in a day, which is pretty good.
I'm betting he'll be about 43 grams tonight.

We made him a little "turtle table" out of wood, with 1/2 an inch or so of topsoil/playsand for him to burrow in, and hay on top. A small plantpot, water dish and "light bulb packet hidey hole" complete his living quarters for now!

It's vital that he gets the correct temperature (and even more important that he can shelter in cooler areas when needed).
Around 85f is a good temperature at one end - the other end is probably a little above room temperature - about 74/75f

We have a UV lamp providing the necessary UV and heat for him, and at night, a moon bulb keeps him nice and warm.

Also vital are regular soakings in warm water. I'd say twice a day, for 5-10  mins each time is ideal. They need moisture for proper kidney function - in the wild they burrow in moist soil, so this allows them to absorb the needed water through their shells.

We also have a water "spritzer" to provide a little extra humidity in his home when needed.

[bc1940]

Have you thought any more about getting another tort for company for shelly?  I  think you should get one pretty quickly if you intend to have two together as they will get used to living together while young.
Does it mean you have to have two of everything?  Probably make everything twice as big.  Will need more food as well.
How is Magoo outside?
from bc1940

[magoo]

We've thought about getting a friend for Sheldon, but haven't done so yet. The food isn't an issue, but I'd need to make them a larger enclosure, I'm sure. shelly is already starting to outgrow his little space. (well, he's not really outgrowing it, but he's definitely getting bigger!)

[bc1940]

Have you thought a taking pictures of Magoo aand Sheldon together, to show us the difference in their sizes.  Would Magoo attack the baby Tort, I am interested
to know is they would get on together. What would be your answer.
bc1940

[bc1940]

Hi,
Can you transfer a picture of Shelly the tortoise you have on this site and put it next to Magoo.  I have just been looking at Magoo and would like to see pictures of both tortoises next to each other.
More information on Shelly, his weight gain and size please.
Shrek the yellow person.

[bc1940]

Hi everyone,
need an update on Sheldon the tortoise and friend Nugget, weight, size, date of birth etc.  Set up a file on all the details please and keep a monthly progress report to see how quickly they grow. Shrek

[magoo]

It's all a matter of time - I know they are growing pretty quickly (at least I hope they are, judging by the amount they eat!)

[bc1940]

Hi,
Anymore information on baby tortoises, what  size and weight are they compared with everything when you purchased them. Have you built them a larger home.  Have they moved outside yet.  Will they take part of Magoos pen or will you have to build them a separate enclosure.  Not many months left before the bad weather, when I assume you will have to keep them indoors.  More pictures of them running about in the house.
bc1940- shrek

[magoo]

I am currently in the process of building them a new home - will post photos and details when finished and I get chance!

[bc1940]

Hi,
Hope your new home for tortoises is coming along.  Look forward to pictures.  It is getting very cold at night.  Looks like there is a frost on the grass is the early morning.
When do you bring Magoo inside?  Been looking at pictures of all tortoises and Magoo looks massive against baby torts.  Will they all live inside during the winter months?
More work to build a pen for Magoo inside.
Information please.
Shrek bc1940

[bc1940]

 Just been looking at pictures of new baby tortoises and their weight when you first had them.  Would be interesting to know their weight now.
 Have you thought of adding an extension to their present home, which you say they are growing out of.  You will have to do a "Holmes on homes"
 and knock it down and rebuild it larger.  Thats what Mike Holmes does on his t.v. programme.  Mainly repairs the homes.
 Hope they are keeping well and warm this cold weather.
 best wishes to all bc1940 Shrek.

[magoo]

I am going to have to abandon the "duplex" plan for the little nuggets because they are just getting too big to fit down the ramp now!
I am just going to pull the top and bottom apart and lay them side by side, making a "doorway" between the two areas so they will have pretty much instantly twice as much space.

If they get much bigger, I'm going to have to make the sides taller so they don't climb out!

It's amazing how fast they grow. I will weigh the little blighters when I get change and post more pictures.

[bc1940]

will you be making the baby tortoises a new home over Easter.  Pictures and weights  please.
Looking forward to seeing their new home.  Hope you get a few days holiday.
shrek bc1940

[bc1940]

Hi,
Has anyone got any interesting information on their pets.
Have a nice Easter with lots of chocolate Easter eggs.
I know dogs like chocolate dont know about the other animals.
Perhaps someone will let me know. Will be here (on the computer)
over Easter.

Happy Easter to everyone.