Re: Read, read some more, then decide (more)

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Posted by Matt Hybel on November 29, 2000 at 14:36:50:

In Reply to: New to the tortoise world. Help! posted by Hank on November 29, 2000 at 12:48:37:

1. If there is a post with no message before this one, that was a posting error on my part.

2. I just attended the White Plains, NY reptile show on 11/19/00 and bought one of A.C. Highfield's pamphlets "The Tortoise and Turtle Feeding Manual". I already have his "Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping and Breeding Tortoises & Freshwater Turtles" and recommend that also.

3. Tortoises are grouped by type of environment they have evolved in the wild. The most important aspects of captive care are: proper substrate, humidity, heat gradient, and DIET.

4. Sulcattas and Leopards eat mostly dry grasses and have evolved to digest them. NO FRUIT OR MEAT. DO NOT HIBERNATE.

5. Mediterraneans (Greeks, Egyptians, Hermann's, Russians, Marginateds, etc) eat about 70% succulents, green weeds (e.g., dandelion) and flowers (approx. 10% recommended). NO FRUIT OR MEAT. SOME HIBERNATE, SOME DO NOT.

6. Tropical torts (Redfoots, Yellowfoots, Hingeback torts) DO EAT FRUITS & SOME MEAT along with some greens. DO NOT HIBERNATE.

7. The importance of proper mineral supplementation is discussed (especially calcium).

8. The importance of reading is to consider what sort of enclosure you really want to maintain and the work involved.

9. Ideally all torts do well if kept outdoors during the warm months of the year, then allowed to hibernate or maintained indoors in winter, as appropriate.

10. Good luck.

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: 1. If there is a post with no message before this one, that was a posting error on my part. : 2. I just attended the White Plains, NY reptile show on 11/19/00 and bought one of A.C. Highfield's pamphlets "The Tortoise and Turtle Feeding Manual". I already have his "Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping and Breeding Tortoises & Freshwater Turtles" and recommend that also. : 3. Tortoises are grouped by type of environment they have evolved in the wild. The most important aspects of captive care are: proper substrate, humidity, heat gradient, and DIET. : 4. Sulcattas and Leopards eat mostly dry grasses and have evolved to digest them. NO FRUIT OR MEAT. DO NOT HIBERNATE. : 5. Mediterraneans (Greeks, Egyptians, Hermann's, Russians, Marginateds, etc) eat about 70% succulents, green weeds (e.g., dandelion) and flowers (approx. 10% recommended). NO FRUIT OR MEAT. SOME HIBERNATE, SOME DO NOT. : 6. Tropical torts (Redfoots, Yellowfoots, Hingeback torts) DO EAT FRUITS & SOME MEAT along with some greens. DO NOT HIBERNATE. : 7. The importance of proper mineral supplementation is discussed (especially calcium). : 8. The importance of reading is to consider what sort of enclosure you really want to maintain and the work involved. : 9. Ideally all torts do well if kept outdoors during the warm months of the year, then allowed to hibernate or maintained indoors in winter, as appropriate. : 10. Good luck.

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