Alfie

[Daisydoodles]

Well, we're finally home so I've taken a quick photo and left him to settle in...



He's teeny compared to the girls, just 15cm and 424g but very cute and not at all shy!!

[Merlin M]

He is a handsome lad! Sure the ladies will love him!

[Catwoman63]

Oh what a lovely little boy you have, you must be so happy x

[emma_mcraf]

He's adorable! Well done for finally finding a male and such a cute one too!

[FLINTUS]

Glad you've finally ended your search. How long do you plan to quarantine Alfie out of interest? Just thinking with all the parasites and stuff hingebacks have.

[Daisydoodles]

Thanks everyone, I'm over the moon to have found him and he's very out going which is a bonus!!

Flintus, I've already got a worm count pack here so will get that off asap and providing that's ok, a couple of months I guess

He's been kept on his own for 4 years that the guy knows of and was wormed along with the guys other torts a month ago as he routinely worms before hibernation - my girls have all been checked as well but I'm not in any real rush to put them together, he's a little on the small side and now I know I actually have a male the pressure is off!

[FLINTUS]

Just a thought here, I would not do any worming immediately, give it 3 months or so to let him settle as hinges seem to stress easily.
Outgoing is excellent as from what I've heard they can be shy at first, has he eaten yet?

[wks9362]

Wow how lovely! You must be thrilled. So pleased for you.

[Daisydoodles]

He's already been wormed by the previous owner, I'm just sending off a sample to have him checked for any nasties although I don't really expect him to have anything due to the length of time he's been alone, the last owner didn't think he had worms but as he was doing all his other torts he did Alfie at the same time!!

[Mick.Ire]

Originally Posted by Daisydoodles

He's already been wormed by the previous owner, I'm just sending off a sample to have him checked for any nasties although I don't really expect him to have anything due to the length of time he's been alone, the last owner didn't think he had worms but as he was doing all his other torts he did Alfie at the same time!!

He's a beauty, thrilled for you. Your search is over.

With a tortoise like Alfie I wouldn't be too concerned about quarantine. I'd do exactly what your doing, get him checked out, get the all clear, get the tortoise into a good routine eating and drinking and pooping. I personally wouldn't wait months. A few weeks would do me and then I'd introduce.

Flintus, although I wouldn't recommend hinges as a first tortoise I wouldn't call them particularly sensitive or very prone to stress. KBN are remarkably out going and bold little tortoises.
The forest species are a completely different kettle of fish.
There is the advised way to do things, the right way to do things and the common sense way to do things, all are correct but the first too may not be necessary on every occasion.
In this case I would recommend the latter way myself. There is no risk.
An active and visually out going hingeback kept in captivity on it's own for 4 years will have no more parasites or nasty pathogens than any other species under the same circumstances.
I'm confident in saying this as I know Daislydoodles has good experience and knowledge in this species and others. She knows what she's at.

I totally understand what your saying though Flintus and novice keepers should take every precaution with quarantine but in my opinion that's not the case here.

Again, delighted you finally found one after your long search. He's a cracker and I hope he settles well and starts humping big time.

Cheers Mick.