Tunisian Spur-thighed?

looby999 · 16-11-2009, 07:04 PM

We have rehomed two adorable tortoises this weekend but are unsure of the species! We were told they were tunisian and males, approx 5 years old. Could someone please id them, I have done some research and the overshoot and yellow marks on head look characteristic to the tunisians, but still unsure. They have brilliant little characters,are very active and have obviously been looked after well.

Dec - weighs 280g and 11.7cm length

Ant - weighs 384g and 13cm length

**egyptiandan64** · 16-11-2009, 07:11 PM

They are both Tunisians, T.g.nabeulensis, and both males.

Danny

looby999 · 16-11-2009, 07:14 PM

Thanks for confirming species. I have two med spur-thighs and was wondering if after quarantine period if they can all go together?

**egyptiandan64** · 16-11-2009, 07:20 PM

I'm afraid not

It's not a good idea to mix North African Testudo with T.g.ibera or any of the Middle Eastern Testudo.

Danny

looby999 · 16-11-2009, 07:26 PM

Thanks for the info, I didn't think we would be able to mix.

Don't know too much about the tunisian spur-thighed apart from they are not to be hibernated and they will not grow much bigger. I have been feeding the same as the med's and they seem to be happy and active so hopefully the temperature is okay for them!

looby999 · 16-11-2009, 07:50 PM

Just another quick question.

One of them seems to be eating sand, is this okay?

**egyptiandan64** · 16-11-2009, 08:06 PM

They like warmer temperatures at night than T.g.ibera. Not good that he's eating sand. If he's doing that, I'd replace your substrate and go with just soil. He's probably lacking calcium and thats why he's eating the sand. You can make limestone cakes like this http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...read.php?t=389 but just make them into little small balls as opposed to one big chunk.

Danny

looby999 · 16-11-2009, 08:19 PM

What a great link and fab idea, will make some up tonight and see how he goes tomorrow.

Thanks for advice. You are very knowledgeable, how come you know all this stuff?

**egyptiandan64** · 16-11-2009, 08:52 PM

I'm old

and my head is full

as I've been doing this for much to long

Danny

KatjaS · 19-11-2009, 07:44 AM

It´s possible, that you can´t have those two males togehter neather..! Tunisian males are very aggressive to each other; they are very aggressive to an female too, but the different way

My male and female have own terrariums because of this. They have met twice, and never again.. I don´t want to have more eggs in my incubator, and female can possibly produce fertile eggs after 2-3 years after last copulation. I just can´t waste the fertile eggs.. Now I hawe two eggs in the incubator.

But this was off topic, I guess

16-11-2009, 07:04 PM	#1
looby999 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louth, Lincs Posts: 28	Tunisian Spur-thighed? We have rehomed two adorable tortoises this weekend but are unsure of the species! We were told they were tunisian and males, approx 5 years old. Could someone please id them, I have done some research and the overshoot and yellow marks on head look characteristic to the tunisians, but still unsure. They have brilliant little characters,are very active and have obviously been looked after well. Dec - weighs 280g and 11.7cm length Ant - weighs 384g and 13cm length __________________ Mum to 2 x Turkish Spur Thighed, 2 x Tunisian Spur Thighed, 2 x Mini Dachshund, 1 x Cat, Stick Insects, 1 x Son and 1 x Husband

16-11-2009, 07:11 PM	#2
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	They are both Tunisians, T.g.nabeulensis, and both males. Danny __________________

16-11-2009, 07:14 PM	#3
looby999 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louth, Lincs Posts: 28	Thanks for confirming species. I have two med spur-thighs and was wondering if after quarantine period if they can all go together? __________________ Mum to 2 x Turkish Spur Thighed, 2 x Tunisian Spur Thighed, 2 x Mini Dachshund, 1 x Cat, Stick Insects, 1 x Son and 1 x Husband

16-11-2009, 07:20 PM	#4
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	I'm afraid not It's not a good idea to mix North African Testudo with T.g.ibera or any of the Middle Eastern Testudo. Danny __________________

16-11-2009, 07:26 PM	#5
looby999 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louth, Lincs Posts: 28	Thanks for the info, I didn't think we would be able to mix. Don't know too much about the tunisian spur-thighed apart from they are not to be hibernated and they will not grow much bigger. I have been feeding the same as the med's and they seem to be happy and active so hopefully the temperature is okay for them! __________________ Mum to 2 x Turkish Spur Thighed, 2 x Tunisian Spur Thighed, 2 x Mini Dachshund, 1 x Cat, Stick Insects, 1 x Son and 1 x Husband

16-11-2009, 07:50 PM	#6
looby999 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louth, Lincs Posts: 28	Just another quick question. One of them seems to be eating sand, is this okay? __________________ Mum to 2 x Turkish Spur Thighed, 2 x Tunisian Spur Thighed, 2 x Mini Dachshund, 1 x Cat, Stick Insects, 1 x Son and 1 x Husband

16-11-2009, 08:06 PM	#7
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	They like warmer temperatures at night than T.g.ibera. Not good that he's eating sand. If he's doing that, I'd replace your substrate and go with just soil. He's probably lacking calcium and thats why he's eating the sand. You can make limestone cakes like this http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...read.php?t=389 but just make them into little small balls as opposed to one big chunk. Danny __________________

16-11-2009, 08:19 PM	#8
looby999 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louth, Lincs Posts: 28	What a great link and fab idea, will make some up tonight and see how he goes tomorrow. Thanks for advice. You are very knowledgeable, how come you know all this stuff? __________________ Mum to 2 x Turkish Spur Thighed, 2 x Tunisian Spur Thighed, 2 x Mini Dachshund, 1 x Cat, Stick Insects, 1 x Son and 1 x Husband

16-11-2009, 08:52 PM	#9
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	I'm old and my head is full as I've been doing this for much to long Danny __________________

19-11-2009, 07:44 AM	#10
KatjaS Member Incubating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Finland, Kemi Posts: 158	It´s possible, that you can´t have those two males togehter neather..! Tunisian males are very aggressive to each other; they are very aggressive to an female too, but the different way My male and female have own terrariums because of this. They have met twice, and never again.. I don´t want to have more eggs in my incubator, and female can possibly produce fertile eggs after 2-3 years after last copulation. I just can´t waste the fertile eggs.. Now I hawe two eggs in the incubator. But this was off topic, I guess

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