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Barnyard Buddies:  A new buddie...  |
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chickenmom
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Toni
Tucumcari
NM
USA
76 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 26 2013 : 8:47:23 PM
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Wanted to share our newest friend. Not necessarily a "barnyard" buddie, but a new buddie none the less. This is Darla our new Sulcata tortoise. She belonged to my sister in law who just recently passed away. We're suckers for abandoned animals... she's small at this point about 7 inches long. Will eventually grow to 18-24 inches and about 100+/- pounds. She has a wonderful personality and not fearful at all. Don't know if we'll keep her permanently. She may end up at a local "wonderful" zoo that has about 4-5 of her species already. We've kind of grown attached to her though. The kitties are not sure yet, they pretty much just stare at her. The menagerie continues... Have a wonderful evening.
IMG]http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/Snitz/Images/darla.jpg[/IMG] |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2013 : 10:58:11 AM
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Hey Toni, a fellow NM farmgirl, cool. I have a friend who has one of those type of turtles. She has to go through a lot because I guess it got malnourished. The bumps on its back got thick and tall rather than flat and smooth like they are supposed to be. I will ask her again how to prevent that and other info for you if you want. I had a couple of turtles and they were way too difficult to raise in out climate. The weather would not get warm enough for them to eat and it was hard to keep them out of half dormancy. I finally sent them back to TX where they were from and released them by a river. Ugh never again. They have to be below a certain temp to hibernate so it was recomended to put them in the bottom drawer of the fridge for the winter, because my house wouldn't get warm enough to warm them up to where they would eat. The problem is that if they aren't cold enough to go into hibernation and not warm enough to eat then they stay in an in between state where their body burns food but cant take it in. We get very cold weather here in the winter because we are at 8000 ft. I stressed a LOT about those turtles. You probably won't have that problem where you live although I know Tucumcari can get pretty cold. And your turtle is a different kind than mine too. Good luck it's a cutie.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CrittergrannysLair
www.creamofthecroptrailrides.webs.com |
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chickenmom
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Toni
Tucumcari
NM
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2013 : 7:17:00 PM
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Hi Laura, not familiar with Lindrith what are you close to? Have read about the bumps on the shell (I think they call it pyramiding) Darla has a little of that, my understanding is it's caused by poor diet, lack of exercise and/or lack of water. We're trying to stick with a natural tortoise diet to prevent hers from getting worse. She had been pretty cooped up, but now has a chunk of our yard to "run" in, she seems to love it. Plus being outside she gets the uv light she needs to process calcium for a smooth shell. Fortunately her breed doesn't hibernate so I don't think we'll have winter issues. At least I hope not :) It is good to see someone else from NM here. Have a wonderful evening and thanks for the reply!
Toni |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2013 : 07:14:51 AM
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Love her!!! Congratulations, although I am so sorry to hear you lost your sister-in-law. How wonderful you are taking care of her tortoise. I hope you post more pics, I'd love to see them.
Farmgirl hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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Emily Anna
True Blue Farmgirl
863 Posts
Emily
Fort Atkinson
WI
USA
863 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2013 : 08:18:48 AM
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Toni,
She is beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us!
Emily |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
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Barnyard Buddies: A new buddie... |
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A new buddie...
