> I think you are referring to Turtles/Terrapins ( water ) rather than > Tortoises ( land ) but I know both are referred to as Turtles in the > US so perhaps that's where the misunderstanding cropped up.
Phillipa, I will look it up. I have a winter project planned. I have to set up the big fish tank. I know they keep turtles in fish tanks. But where would you keep your tortoise? I think they like to be near water anyway. It would be great if one had a garden pond. My aunt has one in her garden.
@Jac19 It really depends on which Tortoise you mean. Just to keep it basic/simple, the southern European/North African species which hibernate are happy in a garden thru the summer here and a dry, cool but frost/vermin free environment for the hibernation period. The ones from warmer climates - such as G. elegans as already mentioned and the G. sulcata ( next one down from the giants of the Galapagos and Seychelles and native to Sudan ) will again be happy in the garden over summer. In the winter, they still require a warm environment. These are the only 2 "tropicals" I have kept and they lived in a large GH which was heated by runs of hot water pipes from an oil fired boiler. All need access to water of course but for the smaller species, a shallow supply is sufficient. Garden ponds are not really a safe bet even for the larger species because of the danger of drowning. Turtles and Terrapins - to an extent, they can be kept in an aquarium but both will grow to a size - something which many are not aware of. You may recall the Ninja Turtle craze when people bought ( usually ) Red eared terrapins native to the US for their children and then realised that these actually grew...and grew. They often ended up being released into ponds and rivers here in the UK. My experience of these is somewhat limited - rescuees in the main. My only other one was a Soft shelled turtle - a native of Florida and another "rescue" job. He lived in a pond during the summer months but the pond was designed in such a manner that he couldn't escape. In the winter, a large tank in the heated GH until I managed to find a placement for him. Sorry for the long explanation but in a nutshell, I guess the basic rule is Tortoises on land and Turtles in water
No problems @philippasmith2! My aunty had two tortoises that were with her before I became aware of them as a young child. She also had an immaculate garden and the tortoises were always out and about in it in the summer. She had to rehome them eventually as she could no longer care for them after her stroke and she was aged 90 then. The new owners sent her photos of them in their new home which made her happy. So - very long lived!
Aye re the exceptions, I did mention "simple/basic" otherwise I'd probably be here all day as well as risking boring everyone into an early grave Your brother has a wonderful job. Thank you for the PS altho it probably turned into a bit of a lecture rather than "chat"
One of my greatest birthday presents ever was releasing a bucket of turtle hatchlings into the sea in Cape verde
What a birthday present @Hostafan1 - beats Choccy cake flippers down. You have ensured your place in Heaven by that act alone . In your case, you will be surrounded by Turtles rather than Angels/Virgins or WHY
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> Tortoises ( land ) but I know both are referred to as Turtles in the
> US so perhaps that's where the misunderstanding cropped up.
Phillipa, I will look it up. I have a winter project planned. I have to set up the big fish tank. I know they keep turtles in fish tanks. But where would you keep your tortoise? I think they like to be near water anyway. It would be great if one had a garden pond. My aunt has one in her garden.
All need access to water of course but for the smaller species, a shallow supply is sufficient. Garden ponds are not really a safe bet even for the larger species because of the danger of drowning.
Turtles and Terrapins - to an extent, they can be kept in an aquarium but both will grow to a size - something which many are not aware of. You may recall the Ninja Turtle craze when people bought ( usually ) Red eared terrapins native to the US for their children and then realised that these actually grew...and grew. They often ended up being released into ponds and rivers here in the UK.
My experience of these is somewhat limited - rescuees in the main. My only other one was a Soft shelled turtle - a native of Florida and another "rescue" job. He lived in a pond during the summer months but the pond was designed in such a manner that he couldn't escape. In the winter, a large tank in the heated GH until I managed to find a placement for him.
Sorry for the long explanation but in a nutshell, I guess the basic rule is Tortoises on land and Turtles in water
Generally Tortoise are on land, Terrapins are in fresh water and Turtles are in salt water.
There are however, some exceptions to the rule! 🙂
p.s. @philippasmith2 I love the Tortoise chat 😁
Failure is always an option.
Your brother has a wonderful job. Thank you for the PS altho it probably turned into a bit of a lecture rather than "chat"