San Diego Turtle and Tortoise Society

AWESOME!  That’s the word to describe this fantastic organization.    As you guys know I have had the priveledge of rescuing and rehoming a couple of amazing tortoises and know how hard it is to take care of these guys, heal them and then find them some loving and secure homes.  Consequently I can’t help but to be in awe of the scope of this delightful organizations dedication and hard work at rescuing and then rehoming these awesome animals!  I have made a new friend in the director of the organazation, who seems to always be busy doing good for the little guys!  Anyway there website is www.sdturtle.org and I encourage you to check it out and if its in the cards provide a loving home for some of these deserving pets!

Leonidus… The Greek Tortoise

Guys…. Leonidus is a tiny 2″ carapace greek tortoise who is amazing!  I have a backyard that my tortoises live in and leonidus has managed to escape 2 times.  The secound time over 5…. FIVE cinder block walls I set up to keep him in the yard!  If anyone has stories of escaping tortoises share them!

My New Title….

I have been going through an incredibly difficult time the last 2 years… full of illness, family conflict, loved ones passing, loved ones hurt, moving, losing a job and gaining 3 more, but enough about the negative!  My point is that no matter what may be messing up your day today remember that no matter what you can not control anything or anyone other than yourself.  Ultimatly your mind shapes your realitity so if you stay positive than those negative experiances will pass more quickly and you might be able to see the reason that they happened, because EVERYTHING happens for a reason!    O…… FYI ill be putting an article on my extreamly GNARLY Greek tortoise Leonidus up shortly!

Tortoise Husbandry is an Odessey

So I have been super into Tortoises lately…. as if that isn’t obvious But I have had a hell of a time trying to find a decent pair of breeding tortoises. Obviously people are hesitant to separate from their money making pairs of tortoises but I am trying like crazy! I have found the best classifieds are located HERE! Well guys short blog entry but check that out and if anyone has any suggestions as to where I can find some proven Breeding Pairs of Greek Tortoises let me know!

Indoor Tortoise Heaven

What could a silly looking reptile that has been alive since the dinosaurs possibly need in terms of a living environment right?  Well they love to be pampered and then left alone to eat, sleep, piss and shit(a lot).  Well following my advice we can make sure that they can do all of the above in as much comfort as possible.  Being a college student my self I dont have the luxary of a back yard and consequently I had to create a tortoise paradise in my tiny apartment.  What you do is this;

• Go to Walmart
  • Get the biggest plastic bin you can affod and fit in your apartment
    • Clear is nice for you but scares the tortoises senseless
  •  Then get yourself a hut or make one for your tortoises to hide/climb
  • Most people don’t realize tortoises love to explore/burrow and climb
  • Well then get yourself a water and food dish
• Alright now you need to get to a pet store to get yourself some substrate.
  • I had previosly suggested sand because it is good for them because of the calcium, easy to clean up and looks super good!  However I have been talking to a consomate Tortoise expert who can be found HERE and he has had reports of babies being “impacted” by the sand.  I havn’t had this happen but it makes since so the next time I change the bedding im following his advice an getting some indoor/outdoor carpet.
  • Then you need to get a good UV light it should be both UV-A and UV-B so as to facilitate the digestion of their food.
  • Also you need to get a heat lamp to provide a nice basking spot.
  • The whole cage should be about 60-70 degrees with one 90-100 degree basking spot.  These are temperate tortoises so they like 60-70 so make sure the whole cage is not super hot!

  Follow this advice and your little/big guy will be in heaven.