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Toxic Plants and Tortoises
Caesalpinia gilliesii seed pods are toxic to tortoises Different species of animal vary widely in their susceptibilities to individual...
tortoisetrust
Apr 45 min read
187 views
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Warming up after Brumation (Hibernation)
The Tortoise Myth Busters - Episode 8 As usual, let's start by looking at some of the (very confident!) misleading advice seen on this...
tortoisetrust
Feb 234 min read
517 views
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How Heat Lamps can Harm the Health of Tortoises and Contribute to Growth Deformities
'Hotspots' caused by artificial heat lamp in close proximity while most of the body remains too cold. An important consideration for all...
tortoisetrust
Feb 1934 min read
719 views
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Treating Sight-Damaged Tortoises
A specialist ophthalmic exam will be required to establish the extent of the damage. Andy C. Highfield The recent winter proved to be one...
tortoisetrust
Feb 67 min read
281 views
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Common Post-Hibernation Problems in Tortoises
Check weights before, during and following hibernation (brumation). Tortoises which emerge from hibernation (technically it is more...
tortoisetrust
Jan 317 min read
767 views
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Out of Africa: 18 Months of Observations on the Captive Care of Rescued Kinixys homeana Hingebacks
Dr Mark R. Webb This species requires a relatively low-light, humid and forest-floor-like habitat. This article originally appeared in a...
tortoisetrust
Jan 1213 min read
91 views
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Rehabilitating Hingeback Tortoises
by A. C. Highield/Tortoise Trust Hingeback tortoises are often rescued in very poor condition and can be challenging to rehabilitate. K....
tortoisetrust
Jan 86 min read
95 views
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Brumation Mysteries
The precise combination of 'triggers' that tell Mediterranean tortoises it is time to dig down for brumation (hibernation) over winter...
tortoisetrust
Dec 8, 20241 min read
70 views
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Renewal
Recovery of natural vegetation after drought and rain. A short video report:
tortoisetrust
Nov 21, 20241 min read
18 views
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Brumation (Hibernation) of Juvenile Tortoises
Juveniles and adults live in the same locations, in the same habitat, and experience exactly the same environmental conditions. They...
tortoisetrust
Nov 16, 20245 min read
490 views
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Companions for Existing Tortoises - Yes or No?
Understanding The Risks A recipe for disaster: multiple different Testudo from differing origins (North Africa and Turkey) mixed at high...
tortoisetrust
Nov 3, 20247 min read
336 views
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Poppies: Feed or 'No Feed'?
The Tortoise Mythbusters - Episode 8 Poppies are often listed as a 'no feed', but certainly some species are eaten by tortoises in the...
tortoisetrust
Oct 8, 20247 min read
276 views
1 comment


Some Common Autumn Hibernation Problems
A. C. Highfield This article is a brief guide to how to handle some very common problems that arise in autumn during the period when...
tortoisetrust
Oct 4, 20246 min read
336 views
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Promoting proper bone development: Choosing and Using Supplements
This is a simplified, but updated, article including advice incorporating our latest research, experience and observations. Obtaining...
tortoisetrust
Sep 28, 202417 min read
957 views
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Overwintering Tortoises Successfully
Andy C. Highfield A typical 'Tortoise Table' setup with overhead basking lamp 'Overwintering' is a term that is used to describe keeping...
tortoisetrust
Sep 17, 202415 min read
1,455 views
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Constructing a Simple Open-topped Tortoise Enclosure
By Sue Brooks 'Tortoise-tables' offer many advantages over enclosed vivariums. Here's how to make your own! This simple enclosure can be...
tortoisetrust
Sep 13, 20244 min read
713 views
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Hydration and Your Tortoise
A Galapagos tortoise soaks on Isla Santa Cruz There is a considerable amount of misunderstanding on the subject of the water requirement...
tortoisetrust
Sep 6, 20249 min read
1,292 views
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Safer Hibernation & Your Tortoise
This is the current and updated version of the classic booklet of which well over 100,000 copies were distributed free of charge in...
tortoisetrust
Aug 31, 202419 min read
1,705 views
1 comment


Refrigerator Hibernation (Brumation) Methods for Tortoises & Turtles
Andy C. Highfield Refrigerators have been used successfully to artificially hibernate (brumate, in the case of reptiles) many animals....
tortoisetrust
Aug 29, 202413 min read
1,213 views
0 comments


Notes on Refrigerator Hibernation for Mediterranean Tortoises with temperature and weight graphs
Kate Bradley This is a very useful and important article that we first published on our old website. As it still remains highly relevant...
tortoisetrust
Aug 28, 20244 min read
491 views
1 comment
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