Check list for buying a healthy tort!

[Mollbags@blueyonder.co.uk]

Hi All,

I have noticed their are no check lists on any of the sites, giving newbies advise on how to spot a healthy tort, when buying one.
So i have put this one together of all things you should look for!
That i have read in many books and looked for myself, exept for the eating part because the babes i got had already been fed when i got their.




Check list for buying a healthy tortoise.
Before I go through the check list, I just have to say when buying a tort
U.K. bred is best, so please check out the breeders list on the TPG or T.T.
Sites;


1) Eyes should be clear and bright.
2) Nose should be dry, their should be no signs of bubbling or sneezing.
3) Check the mouth, the tongue should be a healthy pink and again no signs of bubbling.
4) Shell should be firm, after the tort is a month old, should not feel soft or spongy .
5) Make sure you see the tort eating.
6) Reflexes, ever so gently tug on the back leg, to see if the torts pulls it back towards the shell.
7) Activity, make sure the tortoise is active.

If there is anything you think should be added to this list please let me know!

[Tomcat]

Can i just ask, What happens if you ask them to feed it and they say no?

[Mollbags@blueyonder.co.uk]

Originally Posted by Tomcat

Can i just ask, What happens if you ask them to feed it and they say no?

Hi,

Most breeders will be more than happy to show their torts eating, you could also phone the breeder before hand and ask to see the torts at their feedig time.

Ahyone that is not happy for you to do that, you should ask your self why and have they anything to hide!

Watching them eat is important you don't want to come home with a tort with a geneticly deformed mouth!

[Andy b 1]

sometimes tortoises wont eat for a few days so it might be a problem

[Esarosa]

nice mini guide rachael! I'm in process of writin care sheets up but hadn't even thought of doing something like this!

My tortoises eat every day andy.. they dont at the hottest times of the day tho. But providing temps etc are fine u should be able to see them eating. even if it may take a couple of hours


Katie

[Mollbags@blueyonder.co.uk]

Originally Posted by Andy b 1

sometimes tortoises wont eat for a few days so it might be a problem

Thats ok Andy, i know not all torts will play the game when you need them to, but it dosn't hert to know what you should be looking for!

[Mollbags@blueyonder.co.uk]

Originally Posted by Katiexx

nice mini guide rachael! I'm in process of writin care sheets up but hadn't even thought of doing something like this!

My tortoises eat every day andy.. they dont at the hottest times of the day tho. But providing temps etc are fine u should be able to see them eating. even if it may take a couple of hours


Katie

Thanx Katie,

i was really worried what people might think of me doing this, but only want to help and this list is important to start in the right way when it comes to owning torts!

[Shot]

Superb Mollbags

would just like to add another one:

- Make sure torts aren't breathing through their mouths, i.e. constantly opening their mouths to breathe and wheezing.

I looked at some UK bred hatchlings that were advertised as a year old and they were in an awful state they were opening their mouths wide to breathe and making a wheezing noise. They were all kept in a small viv and fed on pellets and were huge for their age, with noticeable pyramiding of shell.

so we can add some more:

-check that they have been given a diet of a variety of weeds
-make sure they havent been living in a vivarium
-check that shell is smooth

great stuff mollbags

[Mollbags@blueyonder.co.uk]

Hi Shot,

Thanks for your help i will make the changes and shortly put on the up dated list!

The love hearts are really sweet!