I really don't know anything about my greek

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Posted by dormus on May 21, 2003 at 04:04:23:

In Reply to: I really don't know anything about my greek posted by sacred_dragons on May 20, 2003 at 21:25:12:

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Your tortoise needs time to adapt to its new surroundings, this may take about a week or so. It is therefore very important that you leave the tortoise to itself for the next few days, making sure, of course, it has fresh food and water available.

I don't think that red lighting should be a problem as long as the temperature below it is correct. However, it is very important that the lights are on during daytime. If I have understood it correct, you turn on the lights at nighttime which is very wrong. Mediterranean tortoises are active during the day and sleep at night, thus it is extremely important that light/heat is turned on every morning and turned off again in the evening. This cannot be stressed enough.

As for diet, the best things you can feed your tortoise are weeds from the garden like dandelions, plantains, clover etc.
They can eat cucumber, but it should only be given as a snack from time to time since it contains too little calcium and vitamins. The same goes for tomatoes.
Generally the diet should be as varied as possible to raise a healthy, even growing tortoise. Fruits and high protein vegetables (like peas and sweet corn)should be avoided, especially for younger tortoises since it will make them grow too fast.

Check the links below for care sheet and an excellent guide on diet for meditteranean tortoises. Check also http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/hermannstortoisecare.htm
You are also welcome to email me for further questions.

:I got my greek tortoise from the LLLReptile stand at the LA IRBA show sunday(Anyone go?). SO far on sunday and monday, HE ate alot of romaine lettuce, and on monday he had some cucmber seedless(CAN THEY EAT CUCUMBER?). I checked his whole body, clear black eyes, smooth not lumpy skin and shell, clear nostrils, and pretty heavy. Today i put down clean romaine lettuce twice, but all he would do was stomp over it(IS SOMETHING WRONG?)He still pooped once tooday. Also, I only have a red nightime bulb, i start it at about 6pm when its still bright, could the lighting colors be a problem? I am worried whether whats wrong and dont know any reptile vets around here. I need as much feedback as possible.

:Thanks alot, i appreciate it.

T'lady's diet guide and care booklet

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