It may be cuz if what the petstore fed him...but Im not sure..thats prob what it is though

& while we are on the subject of their food, someone told me that mixed into their food I should be giving tortoise pellets. Is this true? Is there really such thing? I haven't seen any.
I find it REALLY funny that people are approaching me with these "have to's" & I find out the one's telling me do NOT have any kind of a tortoise nor any reptiles or pets in general.
There are some funny people in this world
I do thank all of you who have responded to my postings for your help & advise.
If there is anything that I may have left out that you have noticed. please let me know & add it to my knowledge. Maybe there is just any advise you think I should have to raise my baby happy & healthy, please let know of it.
Thanks again!

i've had my spur theigh (also known as a salcata)...i think 5 years now.

i don't leave water in the tank with him either. like lyn I also give him occasional baths in the winter time when he's indoors.

i've fed him ReptoMin Softgel ever since getting him and he seems to love it, its made out of all kinds of fruits and vegies. it actually looks and smells like a fruit and vegi dip, i once got a friend of mine to have some with a cracker and even he seemed to like it :P

as for holding him, he'll probably stay in his shell most of the time he's held for a while.
but after a while he'll get used to you and not always hide when picked up.

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i'd be better off opening my own small zoo.

Hello, Butternut squash, yam and dark greens are the staple diet for my torts, the Reptomin gel is also a great addition. Torts are attracted to the bright colors of the yam and gel.

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Answers are great. But I prefer questions!

Visit me at www.jaysreptiles.com

Hi & thank you for replying
As far as my holding Peak-a-Boo...........that seems like the only time he comes out of his shell??? He/she does move around in it's cage, don't get me wrong, but VERY little. He spends most of the time in the cage (aquarium) tucked away in it's shell & it seems that he only comes out to eat & then goes right back into his shell Is that not right???
Maybe I have a VERY spoiled Tort on my hands???
This gel stuff, can it be purchased @ any regular pet store? Can you give it to them daily?
I was told that dandelions are a good source of calcium for torts, can I go get them out of my yard & give them to Peak-a-Boo? Do they have to be the actual flower or can they be those white fluffy ones that make me sneeze?
Geez. I'm just FULL of questions here!

Hiding in the shell is most likely due to not being allowed to get settled in to the new home(too much loving).
The dandelions that are recommended are the green leaves themselves not just the flower. You can feed the yellow flowers too, but I wouldn' use the seed head(the fluffy ones) Just make absolutely sure that they have not been sprayed with any sort of chemicals such pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Even if you don't spray make sure your neighbors don't either since the wind can carry the sprays across property lines.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Thanks you Merlin
We don't spry anything for our dogs sake & our neighbors only have cement in their yard.
Thanks for the great help!

Ha ha
I just went out back & got some of the dandelion leaves & I did rinse them off first just as an extra step of precaution. Anyway I put it in the food tray for Peak-a-Boo & he/she came out of his shell, crawled across his aquarium, & started chowing down like he hasn't eaten in a week, which isn't the case.
Boy did he really enjoy that

Funny question
Looking for answers when someone gets around to reading this, please.
I know I am supposed to spot clean Peak-a-Boo's cage everyday but I look & look & it's as though he is NOT going to the bathroom. How often do Torts poop or how often should they poop???
Thanks!

Im not sure how often they go honestly...