questions about my greek tortoise hatchlings enclosure -

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Posted by obakefan on May 03, 2002 at 12:05:59:

Hi everyone!

A few questions about my Greek Tortie hatchlings -

1. First, I had already posted a while ago about the size discrepancy between the two girls, who are from the same clutch. I'm not worried about that too much anymore, as I've watched and am certain that both are eating plenty. But one is very obviously much bigger than the other. No pyramiding, shell problems, MBD, etc. They're very healthy, just very differently sized.

I was planning on moving both girls into a new 55-gallon tank that I got - it had been suggested that I might want to separate the two girls because of the size discrepancy. Do you think that's a good idea? I would be quite able to leave one in the tank they now have (actually a Rubbermaid that's approximately the same square footage) and move the other two the 55-gallon if you guys think that would be best. Or would they be better off being together since they have been for their entire lives.

2. I have had them both on the artificial turf-grass that the pet stores sell for reptiles. The breeder had suggested keeping them on paper towels or newspaper for a while after I first got them, but never said when to switch them. I picked up a couple of bags of the reptile alfalfa-pellety things last night. Is this a more appropriate substrate for them or should I stick to the Bed-A-Beast I use for my boxies?

3. How often do you find it appropriate to feed hatchlings? I know with my boxies, you feed several times a week, but skipping a day here and there is appropriate. I've been feeding every day with a diet created from the Tortoise Trust tortoise diet book. The girls are approximately 7 months old now -

4. Several books I've seen, and from the breeder, too, I've heard that feeding Greeks any kind of fruit with lots of sugar is really bad for them. So I haven't been feeding fruit. Is there something that you guys have experience with that is good for them but not too much sugar to cause yeast issues in the stomach?

I love the girls! They are very different from my boxies - plus I'm getting to watch them grow up from the beginning :-) I'm strongly considering a redfoot hatchling, too, because I've enjoyed these ones so much. I do a lot of research, but since folks on this board have hands-on experience, I feel more comfortable asking y'all how you have handled your babies.

Thanks in advance!!!

Jenny

Follow Ups:

Re: questions about my greek tortoise hatchlings enclosure - Robyn Steve 05/08/02 (0)
Re: questions about my greek tortoise hatchlings enclosure - Hudson 05/03/02 (9)
- Hudson - question for you - obakefan 05/03/02 (8)
  - Re: Hudson - question for you - Hudson 05/03/02 (7)
    - Re: Hudson - question for you - wendi 05/03/02 (6)
      - Amen to the Siamese thing - more obakefan 05/03/02 (5)
        
        Re: Amen to the Siamese thing - more wendi 05/04/02 (0)
        
        Posted the list once before but here we go again Shane 05/04/02 (3)
        
        Great Googly Moogly! that's a lot of animals!:) N/P Lacy 05/05/02 (0)
        
        Show off! wendi 05/04/02 (0)
        
        you win!!! n/p obakefan 05/04/02 (0)

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: Hi everyone! : A few questions about my Greek Tortie hatchlings - : 1. First, I had already posted a while ago about the size discrepancy between the two girls, who are from the same clutch. I'm not worried about that too much anymore, as I've watched and am certain that both are eating plenty. But one is very obviously much bigger than the other. No pyramiding, shell problems, MBD, etc. They're very healthy, just very differently sized. : I was planning on moving both girls into a new 55-gallon tank that I got - it had been suggested that I might want to separate the two girls because of the size discrepancy. Do you think that's a good idea? I would be quite able to leave one in the tank they now have (actually a Rubbermaid that's approximately the same square footage) and move the other two the 55-gallon if you guys think that would be best. Or would they be better off being together since they have been for their entire lives. : 2. I have had them both on the artificial turf-grass that the pet stores sell for reptiles. The breeder had suggested keeping them on paper towels or newspaper for a while after I first got them, but never said when to switch them. I picked up a couple of bags of the reptile alfalfa-pellety things last night. Is this a more appropriate substrate for them or should I stick to the Bed-A-Beast I use for my boxies? : 3. How often do you find it appropriate to feed hatchlings? I know with my boxies, you feed several times a week, but skipping a day here and there is appropriate. I've been feeding every day with a diet created from the Tortoise Trust tortoise diet book. The girls are approximately 7 months old now - : 4. Several books I've seen, and from the breeder, too, I've heard that feeding Greeks any kind of fruit with lots of sugar is really bad for them. So I haven't been feeding fruit. Is there something that you guys have experience with that is good for them but not too much sugar to cause yeast issues in the stomach? : I love the girls! They are very different from my boxies - plus I'm getting to watch them grow up from the beginning :-) I'm strongly considering a redfoot hatchling, too, because I've enjoyed these ones so much. I do a lot of research, but since folks on this board have hands-on experience, I feel more comfortable asking y'all how you have handled your babies. : Thanks in advance!!! : Jenny

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