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 Tortoise protection Group, Tortoise Trust and Southern Torts Association Sites.



1) Eyes should be clear and bright.

2) Nose should be dry, their should be no signs of bubbling or sneezing and that there is No wheezing or breathing through the mouth.

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, yet the Plastron can still have a little spring to it after they are a month old, I have to stress it is very bad for babies to be squeezed And should be done ever so carefully with very little pressure and only done this one time to check when buying the tort, The shell should also be smooth and still have lustre.

5) Make sure you see the tort eating and that the tort is being fed a healthy diet
Of weeds and not pellets.

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.

8. Check that it is being kept in the right conditions not in a viv.

9) Certificates, check the place of origin on them, all certs are issued in the U.K.
But that does not mean you have U.K torts, the place of origin tells you where their from.
If place of origin says Slovenian , please do not buy them

10) With any good breeder you should be able to see the parents and that there is the right
Amount of parents for the number of babies they are selling.

11) Also make sure as it walks, it walks tall and doesn't drag its plastron or back legs along the floor.


Written by Rachael ( Mollbags)

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paypal is tropicalwaters@btinternet.com
we also have a 09 jungle jag sib that has been donated to help Raise funds and a baby crested gecko. pm for details or watch out for threads on the classifieds in the next few days.
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Good Guide, Thank You

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HI,

Thanks for your lovely comment!!

I wanted to write something i knew hadn't been done before and i remember wishing something like this was around when i was buying my torts from the breeder!

I'm quite proud of this because the TPG, T.T. Have approved it and shelled warriors, hampshire tortoise soc and Southern torts association have put it in their newsletters!

So thanks again!!

Rachael

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I hope to put ur tips into practise...if i can find a breeder!

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I have just bought an Giant african Spur thighed Tortoise........ should it have came with a certificate or any papers????

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Em
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
0.1.0 Grammostola Rosea (Spinxy)
1.0.0 Royal Python (Norbs)
1.0.0 Boyfriend (George)



"WHEN YOUR GOING THROUGH HELL KEEP GOING!!!"

giant african spur thighed i.e. sulcata do not need certificates

ok cool thanks

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Em
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
0.1.0 Grammostola Rosea (Spinxy)
1.0.0 Royal Python (Norbs)
1.0.0 Boyfriend (George)



"WHEN YOUR GOING THROUGH HELL KEEP GOING!!!"

What does it mean if the tortoise bubbly from the noise or mouth only on the odd occasion.?

Discharge from the nose is usually caused by Runny Nose Syndrome which needs to be treated by a vet.

Sometimes times runny nose can be caused by irration from i.e. sand or overly dry soil, please air on the side of caution before antibiotics are given.