Tunisian tortoise help

n-raged · 22-05-2010, 08:46 AM

High I am new to this forum and two days ago I ended up being a new tortoise owner. Without knowing what hit me i ended up taking care of two tortoises that happen to be Tunisian although i don't know if they're Tunisian spur-thighs (but i think so at least) I wish to know if the Maltese climate is good enough for them to keep them in the garden all year round maybe give them a shelter too if need be. Please help because after doing some research i got to know that these tortoises are quite tough to keep. Thanks a lot every bit of help is precious.

**egyptiandan64** · 22-05-2010, 02:30 PM

Yes Malta is just fine climate wise to keep Tunisians spur-thighs outside all the time. They actually have been introduced to the island, so your 2 were probably born on Malta.

Danny

n-raged · 22-05-2010, 05:18 PM

is it safe to keep them outside in winter too? It can reach a temperature of 10 degrees or sometimes lower for a day or two but it is generally sunny. Or is a shelter enough for them in such conditions :/? (Btw thanks a lot for helping me out mate since i don't want them to die or something)

**egyptiandan64** · 22-05-2010, 08:22 PM

Yes a small shelter would be just fine.

Make sure it has a soft dirt bottom so they can dig down if they choose.

Danny

TortBabe · 22-05-2010, 09:27 PM

Congrats, I have 2 Tunisians myself and they are fab little tortoises. Would love to see pictures if you can post some?

EquestrianBabe · 22-05-2010, 09:43 PM

They are gorgeous

Tunisians get Runny Nose Syndrome (RNS) easier than other torts, so keep an eye out that your tortoises don't have runny noses or are sneezing.

Tell me, do your two Tunisians have shells like this?

If so, you have Tunisian Spur Thighs

And if this is not what your's shells look like, feel free to post some pictures of your tortoises shells on the Identification and sexing section

n-raged · 24-05-2010, 08:36 PM

Hey guys i've uploaded these photos of the tortoises as requested i named the male Tank and the female Tortoise. I thought they wouldn't get used to the new home but it seems they did as i'm finding the lettuce i left for them nibbled. They don't eat much though maybe because they're still quite small.

anna m · 24-05-2010, 10:46 PM

They are lovely
Do you have weeds in your garden to feed them?

**egyptiandan64** · 24-05-2010, 10:50 PM

They look very nice

They do though both look like females to me

Danny

TortBabe · 24-05-2010, 11:29 PM

Aww, they are gorgeous...I want them

22-05-2010, 08:46 AM	#1
n-raged Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2010 Location: Malta Posts: 11	Tunisian tortoise help High I am new to this forum and two days ago I ended up being a new tortoise owner. Without knowing what hit me i ended up taking care of two tortoises that happen to be Tunisian although i don't know if they're Tunisian spur-thighs (but i think so at least) I wish to know if the Maltese climate is good enough for them to keep them in the garden all year round maybe give them a shelter too if need be. Please help because after doing some research i got to know that these tortoises are quite tough to keep. Thanks a lot every bit of help is precious.

22-05-2010, 02:30 PM	#2
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	Yes Malta is just fine climate wise to keep Tunisians spur-thighs outside all the time. They actually have been introduced to the island, so your 2 were probably born on Malta. Danny __________________

22-05-2010, 08:22 PM	#4
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	Yes a small shelter would be just fine. Make sure it has a soft dirt bottom so they can dig down if they choose. Danny __________________

22-05-2010, 09:27 PM	#5
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	Congrats, I have 2 Tunisians myself and they are fab little tortoises. Would love to see pictures if you can post some? __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

22-05-2010, 09:43 PM	#6
EquestrianBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: At home with my pets! Posts: 3,991	They are gorgeous Tunisians get Runny Nose Syndrome (RNS) easier than other torts, so keep an eye out that your tortoises don't have runny noses or are sneezing. Tell me, do your two Tunisians have shells like this? If so, you have Tunisian Spur Thighs And if this is not what your's shells look like, feel free to post some pictures of your tortoises shells on the Identification and sexing section __________________ I ♥ Horses

22-05-2010, 05:18 PM	#3
n-raged Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2010 Location: Malta Posts: 11	is it safe to keep them outside in winter too? It can reach a temperature of 10 degrees or sometimes lower for a day or two but it is generally sunny. Or is a shelter enough for them in such conditions :/? (Btw thanks a lot for helping me out mate since i don't want them to die or something)

24-05-2010, 08:36 PM	#7
n-raged Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2010 Location: Malta Posts: 11	Hey guys i've uploaded these photos of the tortoises as requested i named the male Tank and the female Tortoise. I thought they wouldn't get used to the new home but it seems they did as i'm finding the lettuce i left for them nibbled. They don't eat much though maybe because they're still quite small.

24-05-2010, 10:46 PM	#8
anna m Senior Member Adult Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 4,091	They are lovely Do you have weeds in your garden to feed them?

24-05-2010, 10:50 PM	#9
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	They look very nice They do though both look like females to me Danny __________________

24-05-2010, 11:29 PM	#10
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	Aww, they are gorgeous...I want them __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

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