Re: Tort for a beginner

Posted by LauraO on June 07, 2001 at 12:04:30:

In Reply to: Re: Tort for a beginner posted by Eric T. on June 07, 2001 at 10:08:24:

: : I agree with Justin. Of course I'm biased and think that Russian tortoises are innately the best.
:
I have a trio of Russians which have done well for me so far. I've had two of them for one year and a third for one month. All appear healthy and are very responsive.

But they did all have pinworms. I've seen a lot of Russians imported in, and they always are loaded with pinworms. Once,I saw a box just being opened up at a reptile retail place, and one took a poop, and you could actually see it writhing with adult worms!

Practically all imported animals (which nearly all tortoises are) have some sort of parasite load that needs to be taken care of. Otherwise, the health of the tortoise will slowly go downhill. Don't be fooled by a tortoise that eats and acts healthy. All of mine were just that way, despite having worms. Find an experienced vet and get a few fecal samples taken when you get a tort. Or try and find a captive bred one. They are less likely to be infested.

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: : : I agree with Justin. Of course I'm biased and think that Russian tortoises are innately the best. : : : I have a trio of Russians which have done well for me so far. I've had two of them for one year and a third for one month. All appear healthy and are very responsive. : But they did all have pinworms. I've seen a lot of Russians imported in, and they always are loaded with pinworms. Once,I saw a box just being opened up at a reptile retail place, and one took a poop, and you could actually see it writhing with adult worms! : Practically all imported animals (which nearly all tortoises are) have some sort of parasite load that needs to be taken care of. Otherwise, the health of the tortoise will slowly go downhill. Don't be fooled by a tortoise that eats and acts healthy. All of mine were just that way, despite having worms. Find an experienced vet and get a few fecal samples taken when you get a tort. Or try and find a captive bred one. They are less likely to be infested.

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