When most people think of tortoises, they think massive. Huge. Oh so big. Like a very small vehicle or a very large rock. In these cases, they are usually thinking about the giant Galapagos tortoises, which can weigh nearly 1,000 pounds at maturity and live 170+ years. Malti won’t ever get that big (WHEW). But….theContinueContinue reading “Malti Explains Redfooted Tortoises: Size at Maturity”
Category Archives: Malti
Malti Explains Redfooted Tortoises: Girl Versus Boy
When I went to pick Malti up from her breeder, he presented me with a small plastic container. Inside the container were two VERY tiny tortoises. One of the tortoises was even smaller than the other, and quite quick while running and scampering around the little container. The other tortoise was a bit quieter, slower,ContinueContinue reading “Malti Explains Redfooted Tortoises: Girl Versus Boy”
Malti Explains Redfooted Tortoises: The Shell
Scientists trying to describe what a red footed tortoise shell looks like often use terms such as “loaf shaped,” “bumpy” and “blotchy colored.” It is no mystery why scientists aren’t in demand to write for beauty magazines. To add (um) fuel to that particular (er) fire, the red footed tortoise’s formal scientific name, Geochelone carbonaria, translates toContinueContinue reading “Malti Explains Redfooted Tortoises: The Shell”
Malti Explains Redfooted Tortoises: Red Dots
It isn’t too challenging to figure out how the red footed tortoise got its name. There is the tortoise….and then there are all those red dots. Considering this species’ formal scientific name is Chelonoidis carbonaria, that gives us one more good reason to be grateful for simple, easy-to-pronounce common species names. While their common name suggests thatContinueContinue reading “Malti Explains Redfooted Tortoises: Red Dots”
About: Malti Explains Redfooted Tortoises
Malti, a young lady red footed tortoise who lives here with Bruce, Pearl and me (their mama) here at Casa Feathers n Beak n Shells, has it on very good authority that red footed tortoises are very important beings. In fact, all tortoises – and turtles and terrapins, for that matter – are very importantContinueContinue reading “About: Malti Explains Redfooted Tortoises”
Tortoise Care Books & Resources
In the first few weeks after I brought Malti home, I spent most of my available free time: Panicking. Reading about red-foot tortoises on the internet. Checking her habitat every hour on the hour to make sure she was still alive. Super (scary) fun times. All that to say – while I am feeling more confidentContinueContinue reading “Tortoise Care Books & Resources”
Tortoise Habitat
The topic of tortoise habitats is one that could easily become all-consuming. The websites and books on the Resources page here can help you locate economical, safe habitat materials and supplies (you can also see some great examples of different types of tort habitats). What I have learned thus far is: There is no one “right” way to setContinueContinue reading “Tortoise Habitat”
Malti’s Redfoot Tortoise Munchies
Malti LOVES to eat. She wasn’t picky when I first brought her home, but as she grows she is discovering more about what she likes best and least. This has made providing a nutritionally balanced diet a touch more challenging for her mommy. Ideally, at least half her diet should consist of fruits and veggies.ContinueContinue reading “Malti’s Redfoot Tortoise Munchies”
Malti’s Munchies
Malti LOVES to eat. She wasn’t picky when I first brought her home, but as she grows she is discovering more about what she likes best and least. This has made providing a nutritionally balanced diet a touch more challenging for her mommy. Ideally, at least half her diet should consist of fruits and veggies.ContinueContinue reading “Malti’s Munchies”
What I Wish I Had Known (before bringing Malti home)
Don’t get me wrong. As of this minute, I wouldn’t change one minute of Malti’s and my time together. Except, of course, for all the times I screwed up. I would change all of the bad advice I listened to (some of it from so-called “exotic species specialist” veterinarians)! I would change my belief that, since keeping waterContinueContinue reading “What I Wish I Had Known (before bringing Malti home)”
Love & Feathers & Shells 