Micro-chipping tortoises

thelooneyflyer · #1 (**permalink**) 28-12-2007, 03:50 PM

Hi my insurance advised me to get my tortoise micro-chipped but when i mentioned it in another thread someone said it can irritate the tortoise, does anyone have any advice. My vet has said its personal choice but he can do it as the shell is over 10cm.

shootinglou79 · #2 (**permalink**) 28-12-2007, 04:48 PM

You only have to chip a tort if its over 10cms carapce and you wish to sell or breed from the tort(s), if any of the above is not the case then theres no need to have this done and stress the tort.

slither61 · #3 (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 02:48 AM

HI all,

I am getting ready to book my appointment at my Reptile Vet in January for my Hermans they are just over 100mm it says on my papers they have to be chipped at 100mm, I did not see it mention selling or breeding only I donot think its an option it has to be done to all Hermans.

I will check papers in morning.

slither61

Katiexx · #4 (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 03:22 AM

If you intend to sell the tortoise or breed they have to be chipped.. just like you can own them without the certs but you can't have bought them or sell them on the tort has to be gifted to you

hermannslover · #5 (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 08:04 AM

i was actually under the imression that i HAD to microchip my tort?... until now of course!

phew! dont wanna put her under stress unnecessarily!

crafty · #6 (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 12:03 PM

on my paper work for my hermans it says
this certificate is valid until the tortoise reaches a plastron length of
100mm, when the specimen must be microchipped and a new certificate must be applied for
is this wrong or will i have to apply for a new certificate
when he/she reaches 100mm

hermannslover · #7 (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 12:08 PM

yeah but like people have said, this may only be in the case of selling your tort or breeding it.

MissHayho · #8 (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 01:30 PM

i have always been advised that you should have torts micro chipped and i know there are alot of contreversal opinions in this subject but i have had one of my torts chipped -

it took about 5 mins, he went in his shell briefly when it happened but came straight out and as far as i can see he has never had n e pain or trouble with it.

When my other tortoises are big enough they will also be micro chipped as i feel in this day and age it is the only safest way to prove this is your tortoise if it goes missing or n e thing (not that it should!)

at the end of the day i really think this is personal preference though!

Athravan · #9 (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 01:32 PM

I have had a tortoise stolen who was not microchipped. All I can say is that if she had been microchipped - maybe a vet would pick up on it, maybe not today, or tomorrow - but years down the line. If she was handed in to the police or an RSPCA shelter it is most likely she would be checked for a chip.

Without it there is no real way of me identifying her in years to come and I would always microchip any animal that may be lost, or stolen to ensure the best chance of return - unless a vet actually said it was a negative health risk. All the vets I have spoken to say that microchipping a reptile should not cause any damage - I will be getting my more valuable snakes done when they are big enough also.

tokay · #10 (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 03:12 PM

Has the laws changed then?
as when i used to keep Dumerils boas and argentines (i know not torts but are all cites 1) i was told by defra issuing the certs and microchips that i didnt have to actually have it injected all i need was permission to sell from them and have the correct chips and paperwork together at the time of sell

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