Problems with my tortoise...please help

[tonyhetherington]

Hi all. No, this isn't a joke!

I have a tortoise that's approximately 90yrs old (been handed down through family!).

He's approximately 14" long and about 6" high (to give you an idea of his size).

Now - he's never ever ever done it before, and then twice in these past two days I've got home to find him on his back. This is, of course, very dangerous for a tortoise as it cannot right itself from flat on it's back and will, if not found, die :(

So - my question - anyone had experience of a similar problem (there's normally some PHer with a similar story to tell, no matter what the topic!).

I was thinking glueing half a tennis ball to either side of his shell so if he did fall, he would never tip entirely up!?

What's your thoughts people? No funny comments please - this is serious, he's our pride and joy!

Thanks
Tony

[rooster]

My tortoise lived for 27 years but he never did that. Have you contacted your vet? Do you have any other pets that are playing with the tortoise, I only say this because our tortoise had a hole in his shell with a string attached so he could be restricted from roaming and our dog used to get the string and belt up and down the garden with tortoise in tow!!!

[pzero64]

Might be best to shell out some cash and seek a vets opinion.

tonyhetherington said:

No funny comments please

It certainly wasn't.

[mrs trackside]

rooster said:

My tortoise lived for 27 years but he never did that. Have you contacted your vet? Do you have any other pets that are playing with the tortoise, I only say this because our tortoise had a hole in his shell with a string attached so he could be restricted from roaming and our dog used to get the string and belt up and down the garden with tortoise in tow!!!

[pdV6]

Do you have a playful cat that's tipping it over?

[srebbe64]

tonyhetherington said:

I was thinking glueing half a tennis ball to either side of his shell so if he did fall, he would never tip entirely up!? What's your thoughts people? No funny comments please - this is serious, he's our pride and joy! Thanks Tony

Must resist temptation to make gags about Wimbledon or sun-bathing.

[Chim_knee]

rooster said:

... our dog used to get the string and belt up and down the garden with tortoise in tow!!!

[stiffledlaughter]bpppt[/stiffledlaughter]

[alexkp]

If you think this through the anwer should be apparent:

Where abouts are you finding him "inverted"? Middle of the lawn or elsewere?

[406]

rooster said:

My tortoise lived for 27 years but he never did that. Have you contacted your vet? Do you have any other pets that are playing with the tortoise, I only say this because our tortoise had a hole in his shell with a string attached so he could be restricted from roaming and our dog used to get the string and belt up and down the garden with tortoise in tow!!!

FORUM GOLD

[rooster]

406 said:

FORUM GOLD

my tortoise didn't appreciate it, BTW he was called "salad"

[Marki]

tonyhetherington said:

I was thinking glueing half a tennis ball to either side of his shell so if he did fall, he would never tip entirely up!? Thanks Tony

Some people ,,, cant even leave the Tortoise unmodded


Is it coz hes trying to mount as in mate something

[tonyhetherington]

Well we THINK he's trying to find somewhere to go and die. That sounds horrible to say but he's trying to climb up a step which takes him into our conservatory. He's never ever done this before in all the years we've had him.

This year since waking up he's been a bit different - unusually agressive even.

We have no other pets, and rarely have cats in our garden so that is not the issue.

We think he wants to get into the conservatory to find somewhere warm and peaceful to just RIP, but hoping awfully it's not.

[pdV6]

tonyhetherington said:

This year since waking up he's been a bit different - unusually agressive even.

I suppose at 97 he might just be on the cusp of becoming a "Grumpy old tortoise"

[srebbe64]

tonyhetherington said:

Well we THINK he's trying to find somewhere to go and die. That sounds horrible to say but he's trying to climb up a step which takes him into our conservatory. He's never ever done this before in all the years we've had him. This year since waking up he's been a bit different - unusually agressive even. We have no other pets, and rarely have cats in our garden so that is not the issue. We think he wants to get into the conservatory to find somewhere warm and peaceful to just RIP, but hoping awfully it's not.

If he does die, at least you'll have the satisfaction of having another breakfast bowl, or maybe a new cycle helmet.

[wiggy001]

Tortoiseheads - speed doesn't really matter

[angusfaldo]

Is the tortoise head poking out?

[simpo two]

tonyhetherington said:

Well we THINK he's trying to find somewhere to go and die. That sounds horrible to say but he's trying to climb up a step which takes him into our conservatory. He's never ever done this before in all the years we've had him.

Provide a ramp and see what happens.

[tonyhetherington]

simpo two said:

Provide a ramp and see what happens.

Exactly what we're going to do - if that's his choice and what he fancies, so be it!

(just got to do some rearranging of the garden so he doesn't eat all the prize plants!!)

Thanks all (well, most of you )!

Tony

[rooster]

wiggy001 said:

Tortoiseheads - speed doesn't really matter

quality

[Carrera2]

tonyhetherington said:

simpo two said: Provide a ramp and see what happens. Exactly what we're going to do - if that's his choice and what he fancies, so be it! (just got to do some rearranging of the garden so he doesn't eat all the prize plants!!) Thanks all (well, most of you )! Tony

'JUST GIVE ME THE ING RAMP MAN!'