My family purchased a African Spur Thigh Tortoise only three days ago. We have named him/her Peek-a-Boo.
We have a aquarium, 20 gallon, for now. We are well aware that we will be needing something bigger REALLY soon like the table. We have the UVB light, heat lamp, under habitat heating pad, & the bottom is lined with rabbit pellets. I have also purchased a log for Peek-a-Boo to hide under, however I have just read that I have it on the wrong side of the tank so I will be moving that.
I am confused on the water situation. @ one place I hear NOT to even have water in the habitat & another place I hear to have water. I know with or without water in the home, Peek-a-Boo will need to be soaked once a day, but should I have a water dish in his/her home???
I have been feeding Peek-a-Boo all the right stuff, however am I doing it right??? Should I be shredding the food, leaving it chunky, medium???
Peek-a-Boo does NOT seem to be eating well, the ONLY thing Peek-a-Boo seems to eat a little of is the collard greens I bought, NOT eating the pear, carrots, or alfalfa. I even went out last night & bought some special Tortoise Bites formulated with an appetite stimulating color & scent "Cactus Pear Flavor" & NOTHING.
I'm sure I will have many more question as time goes by. For now does anyone know the answers to my many questions???
Oh & a question that my children & I are arguing about ALL the time, is it possible to hold Peek-a-Boo to much?????
Thanks for your time,
Cheyenne

im sure you dont want to hold her too much..it may cuase stress since you just got her home 3 days ago..as for your other questions someone will be along to help you soon..oh yeah..I almost forgot.. welcome to the HC

Hi Cheyenne, Welcome to HC Network. I moved your post and made it a new thread. I would give your baby a little time to get used to his new surroundings and make sure he is eating better before too much handling....I know how absolutely adorable they are...I love mine dearly....

As for the water. I do not leave a water dish in the cage but once a week or so I put one in so he can run through it...I have never witnessed him drinking, but he will walk through it...bathing isnt a bad thing and I make sure his greens are soaked with water when I serve them to insure he is taking in enough water....let us know if you have any other questions.....Lyn

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

Thanks for the warm welcomes & the VERY helpful answers!
& yes, It is VERY hard to leave Peak-a-Boo I nhis/her home. I am quilty & I have to now admit.............................
My children think it was bought for them but Peak-a-Boo is MINE I have been taking him/her with me EVERYWHERE I go. Peak-a-Boo seems to REALLY love my pockets
For the health & LOVE for Peak-a-Boo, I will leave him/her alone & allow him/her to get used to the new home!
It's a promise, a hard one, but I'll keep to it!

lol..well congrats on your baby tort and im glad to see you rnjoy her so much!!

Yes I do enjoy Peak-a-Boo VERY much. Mykids have always LOVED going to Prehistoric Pets & seeing the Tortoises there. Sat. we were there for a birthday party, along with my father-in-law & the kids said to him that they wanted a turtle & some how, some way, one of my three mentioned how cute the tortoises were & how much they would LOVE to have one & watch it get HUGE. $200.00 + later Papa had bought it for them There was just no way my husband & I would have bought one for that price other wise
Thank God papa was there @ the right time & right place!

lol..I payed $300 for my suriname red tail boa...its amazing the aamout of monry you will be willing to spend once you become hooked

I know, I'm actually scared now. It has been 3 days & I am already telling my husband that Peak-a-Boo is lonely, he needs a friend

Just remember that Peekaboo will weigh upwards of 200 lbs full grown....and will be a bulldozer for your yard and house LOL....Lyn

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

lol while I enjoy the heck out of Peak-a-Boo being so small & cute I cannot wait to enjoy him/her being HUGE!
& 1 more question ( for now anyway)..................................
Does anyone think that maybe Peak-a-Boo is NOT eating anything other then the collard greens due to being in habit of what the pet store was feeding him/her & maybe I just need to find a way to break the habit????