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Old 19-08-2006, 01:28 PM   #1
monkey_toad
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I have a question I would be very grateful for any help. I have a female mediterranean spur thighed and was wondering how large/old she needs to be until she is able to be mated?

Also when introducing a new tort, how long do you normally quarantine them for? if they show no signs of illness after this time is it safe to introduce or is there still a possibility of them being a carrier of herpes/mycoplasma and not show any symptoms?

Many thanks in advance,
Hannah
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Old 19-08-2006, 01:39 PM   #2
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Hi Hannah
Herpes and Cryptosporidium can lie undetected for many years so it is always best to be as sure as you can be of the source of your new tortoise. Mycoplasma should be detected as far as I remember from a faecal. Quarantine is best doen for 12 months but as already stated there is no guarantee. The natural age for them to start breeding is around 10 - 15 but some home reared ones which have grown too fast can breed earlier. It's more a size thing than anything. Obviously torts that have grown incrredibly fast should not be used for breeding, esppecially in the case of females as flat, pyrammided torts can have problems passing eggs and require surgery for their survival.
Hope this helps.
Sue
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Old 19-08-2006, 02:22 PM   #3
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Hi Hannah
As Sue has stated both herpes virus /mycoplasma can be detected through a fecal screening or a blood test, if i were you and you were acquiring adult animals for breeding i would screen for these first if your results come back clean then still at least a three month quarantine period would be necessary to check no other bacterial or viral problems appear ,respiratory disease is one of the major problems to look out for .
My captive bred female mediterranean spur thighs started to become sexual reproductive at 12yrs old they then measured 8-9inches in length i will admit they grew slightly fast in there first 2-3yrs causing some bumping of the scutes but now as adults look well and breed freely .
Darren
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Old 19-08-2006, 03:50 PM   #4
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You would also need to make sure you have the right speices of spur thigh.
Either ibera or graeca graeca. When getting a new tortoise.
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Old 19-08-2006, 04:21 PM   #5
monkey_toad
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I am a veterinary nurse so sending off faecal samples is no probs.
If females have been exposed to males should I take an x-ray before hibernation to make sure they are not hibernated with eggs inside?
What do others do?

Thanks
Hannah
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Old 19-08-2006, 04:43 PM   #6
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Hi Hannah
I sometimes Xray females who's behaviour i'm not familar with just prior to the cooling period heading for hibernation best be safe rather than sorry in my opinion
Darren
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Old 19-08-2006, 05:38 PM   #7
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I dont xray mine, if carrrying eggs they lay them quite quickly in the Spring.
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Old 20-08-2006, 08:47 PM   #8
monkey_toad
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Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated,

Hannah
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Old 20-08-2006, 08:49 PM   #9
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will you post a pic of your tortoise so we can see what sub species it is
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