flat tortoise

Jason1 · 20-07-2008, 12:07 AM

Hi,

Went into a pet shop close to me that was looking after a hermann while owners are on holiday. The wife and I were very upset by its shell growth. It was extrememly flat, 20cm long and I was told she was only five years old. What is it that makes tortoises flat rather than just lumpy (it was lumpy also)? To put it in perspective the top of her shell was about 6cm high and she is 20cm long. I counted seven growth rings so age is about right.

Jason

**egyptiandan64** · 20-07-2008, 02:05 AM

Severe MBD does this Jason. It tends to make animals very flat and usually soft (but not always).

Danny

helen1 · 20-07-2008, 09:15 AM

Hi Jason...is she flatter than my goldie and georgia? Could Mrs L not mount a rescue operation???

Jason1 · 20-07-2008, 12:48 PM

This is Mrs L and I would have bought the poor thing if I could of but unfortunatly he wasn't for sale, just being looked after whilst the owner was on hol. Did send the shop owner a very nice E-mail and he has assured me that he would inform the owner of our concerns but I know he won't. Yes Helen he was loads flatter than your two, don't know how the poor thing was still breathing. Looked very much like he had been fed dog food all his life.

helen1 · 20-07-2008, 06:09 PM

Hi Claire

i meant more along the lines of a distraction burglary than BUYING him......poor little devil.......how about a note to be given to the owners? with an offer of help and expressing concern about his deformity, and life expectancy....without actually putting the blame on them!! I mean it could have been a severe abnormality at birth

they probably dont realise that there is anything wrong!

Jason1 · 21-07-2008, 12:44 AM

Clare seriously considered burgualry thing but her pockets werent big enough, also I dont think the kids would be too happy with a mum behing bars. Dont want to intrude too much for fear of pet shop owner not passing information on. I've done what I can and if he does pass the e-mail on they'll have my e-mail address so they can make contact if they wish. If anyone has the book "mediterranean tortoises" by "Lance Jepson" take a look at page 51 bottom picture, this poor tort was worse with an idented middle of caraplace.

Jason

helen1 · 21-07-2008, 09:58 AM

Jason...what is a car a place? a new term for a car park perhaps?

She wont get time for an act of mercy...or whatever the legal term is...I would suggest Community Service at a zoo to make her see the error of her ways

20-07-2008, 12:07 AM	#1
Jason1 Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lancashire Posts: 405	flat tortoise Hi, Went into a pet shop close to me that was looking after a hermann while owners are on holiday. The wife and I were very upset by its shell growth. It was extrememly flat, 20cm long and I was told she was only five years old. What is it that makes tortoises flat rather than just lumpy (it was lumpy also)? To put it in perspective the top of her shell was about 6cm high and she is 20cm long. I counted seven growth rings so age is about right. Jason

20-07-2008, 02:05 AM	#2
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	Severe MBD does this Jason. It tends to make animals very flat and usually soft (but not always). Danny __________________

20-07-2008, 09:15 AM	#3
helen1 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NORTH WEST Posts: 1,977	Hi Jason...is she flatter than my goldie and georgia? Could Mrs L not mount a rescue operation??? __________________ I CARE FOR TORTS

20-07-2008, 06:09 PM	#5
helen1 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NORTH WEST Posts: 1,977	Hi Claire i meant more along the lines of a distraction burglary than BUYING him......poor little devil.......how about a note to be given to the owners? with an offer of help and expressing concern about his deformity, and life expectancy....without actually putting the blame on them!! I mean it could have been a severe abnormality at birth they probably dont realise that there is anything wrong! __________________ I CARE FOR TORTS

21-07-2008, 09:58 AM	#7
helen1 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NORTH WEST Posts: 1,977	Jason...what is a car a place? a new term for a car park perhaps? She wont get time for an act of mercy...or whatever the legal term is...I would suggest Community Service at a zoo to make her see the error of her ways __________________ I CARE FOR TORTS

20-07-2008, 12:48 PM	#4
Jason1 Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lancashire Posts: 405	This is Mrs L and I would have bought the poor thing if I could of but unfortunatly he wasn't for sale, just being looked after whilst the owner was on hol. Did send the shop owner a very nice E-mail and he has assured me that he would inform the owner of our concerns but I know he won't. Yes Helen he was loads flatter than your two, don't know how the poor thing was still breathing. Looked very much like he had been fed dog food all his life.

21-07-2008, 12:44 AM	#6
Jason1 Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lancashire Posts: 405	Clare seriously considered burgualry thing but her pockets werent big enough, also I dont think the kids would be too happy with a mum behing bars. Dont want to intrude too much for fear of pet shop owner not passing information on. I've done what I can and if he does pass the e-mail on they'll have my e-mail address so they can make contact if they wish. If anyone has the book "mediterranean tortoises" by "Lance Jepson" take a look at page 51 bottom picture, this poor tort was worse with an idented middle of caraplace. Jason

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