A tortoise’s most iconic feature is its scutes. Aside from aesthetics, scutes are important for a tortoise’s health and safety. Unfortunately, different ailments can affect the scutes. All tortoise species […]
Health
17 Warning Signs of An Unhealthy Russian Tortoise
Russian tortoises are small with a remarkably long life span, averaging 50 years. However, they’re prone to certain illnesses, which can be fatal if left untreated. Tortoises don’t always show […]
Do Female Tortoises Have Periods?
Knowing when your female tortoise is mature is important if you want her to lay fertile eggs. Due to the lack of sexual dysmorphism, it can be difficult to identify […]
7 Common Signs of Impaction in Tortoises
Fecal impaction is often used interchangeably with bowel obstruction (intestinal obstruction). A bowel obstruction refers to a blockage caused by foreign objects (pebbles, substrate, hair, etc.), while fecal impaction only […]
How Do I Know If My Tortoise Is Egg Bound? [5 Signs of Egg-Binding]
Gravid (pregnant) tortoises need extra care and attention because they’re often at risk of becoming egg-bound. Egg binding is a serious condition that requires immediate assistance. The symptoms of egg […]
Treating Respiratory Infections in Tortoises [Home + Vet Solutions]
Tortoises are prone to respiratory illnesses, which can be life-threatening. Fortunately, most respiratory illnesses in tortoises can be treated successfully. In severe cases, this will require a vet’s intervention, but […]
Can A Tortoise Be Depressed? [4 Signs of Depression]
Tortoises are calm and even-tempered creatures, so it can be hard to tell when a tortoise feels sad. You may think that a lack of activity, disinterest in food, or […]
How To Tell If A Tortoise Has A Respiratory Infection
Tortoises are prone to respiratory illnesses. These infections often occur due to exposure to low temperatures, unhygienic substrate, and mycoplasma bacteria. Due to the structure of their respiratory tract, tortoises […]
Can A Tortoise Live with A Prolapse?
Prolapse happens when a tortoise strains so hard that one of its internal organs (intestine, cloaca, colon, hemipenis, phallus, uterus, or bladder) slides out of its vent. It’s usually a […]