smelly tortoise

[EVIEMAY]

Originally Posted by Denise aka Martini

hi all! well i went to countrywide today, got my limestone flour, also got some more sand for my suspected gravid tortoises nesting area, she doesnt seem that fussed with it to be honest. She wanders around my house and lies in most awkward places. Think she wanted to go out, but today its been raining and really cold all day, so couldnt let her out. I will try and post a piccy of her on here, may have to get my daughters help to do it, im not that great with computers

Denise if it is her first time and she really doesn't look like she is going to take to the nesting area maybe a trip to the vet would be a good idea - I paid a total of £180 for scan which showed she had eggs and then 3 weeks later xray and oxytocin but it put my mind at rest and she laid 6 eggs that evening and the last one after a second dose.

[Denise aka Martini]

I would really like to keep my tortoises outside, like i read other people do, i have a garden shed it just means i would have to run electricity out there, not a biggy! I just worry about silly little things like, what if mice or worse rats "if there are any about" get in. Well you dont know whats prowling around your gardens at night do you.
How easy is it to maintain the correct temps out there, what could i use to help reduce heat loss, any ideas plz plz.....

[EVIEMAY]

I had my Leopards indoors for 3 years before I finally let them go into their outside enclosure - I really miss them but they love it in there -they stay much warmer at night and have a more natural enviroment than indoors.

[Denise aka Martini]

yes to be honest i think thats gonna have to be my next option, i know its not cheap, but it is peace of mind isnt it. Im actually hoping it is something as simple as she does have eggs, otherwise what other explanation for this odd behaviour could it be, well, its odd to me, but to a tortoise expert it may not be. OH THE WORRY

[Denise aka Martini]

yes i agree, the closer you can get to giving them their natural enviroment the better

[Denise aka Martini]

what should i ask the vet to do, a scan or an xray?

[EVIEMAY]

Xray is probably kinder to be honest - I really didn't like seeing her having a scan.

As long as the eggs are calcified they will show up - I only say that as both my females first eggs were uncalcified this year

They are a worry Denise - I have had quite a year with mine !!!!!

[Denise aka Martini]

My leopard has laid an egg what do i do i havent got anything ready oh god im sooo woried now!!!!!!

[EVIEMAY]

Originally Posted by Denise aka Martini

My leopard has laid an egg what do i do i havent got anything ready oh god im sooo woried now!!!!!!

Keep it the up the way it has been laid Denise - put a little mark on the top - pop it in a container half filled with soil and put it in an airing cupboard for now - then google home made incubators or see if there is a sticky on here on how to make one for the time being.

She may have more to come.

[Denise aka Martini]

How long can an egg go before it needs to be put in an incubator? How long before she lays another? sorry for all the questions am abit scared......