Tortoise Trust Web - Newsletter articles


	THESE ARTICLES ARE FOR HISTORICAL REFERENCE AND ARE CURRENTLY BEING REVISED, UPDATED AND MIGRATED TO OUR NEW WEBSITE AT WWW.TORTOISETRUST.COM Please be patient while we update everything and at the same time make it 'mobile friendly' for 'phones and tablets. In this very extensive online library, we present a selection of reference articles from our Newsletter, and a number of additional articles specifically produced for this website. We hope this information will provide both enjoyable reading and will help you better understand your tortoise or turtle's needs. Feel free to link to these pages from your own site. New articles are added regularly, so check back from time to time for updates. These articles are grouped together by subject to make browsing easier. Do not forget to check our CARESHEET section as well, which now includes printable versions of basic information on many species, and a variety of posters, notices and other resources in downloadable PDF format. Please note that where veterinary treatmens and/or drug dosages are discussed these are for general educational purposes only. If you have a sick tortoise, consult a qualified veterinarian. We make this information available because in our opinion, the better informed keepers are, the better they are able to recognise serious illnesses and the better able they are to evaluate veterinary treatments which may be suggested. Husbandry Information on individual species, housing, lighting, heating, safety, buying tortoises, ponds and filters for aquatic species, substrates and diet., etc., subdivided into several sections for ease of reference. Captive breeding Information on egg incubation, housing and rearing hatchlings, etc. Conservation Exploitation around the world - and some efforts to help. Taxonomy & Natural history The classification of tortoise and turtle species, and field reports, etc. Veterinary Information Comprehensive set of articles covering most common (and some uncommon) health issues that every keeper should be familiar with. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Essential information everyone should know. Husbandry Diet & Feeding A series of in-depth articles on nutritional management and feeding in captivity. You wil find a lot of information here on how to avoid nutritional problems for a wide variety of species and the correct use of vitamin and mineral supplements, etc. The Causes of Pyramiding Deformity in Tortoises Weisner & Iben (2003) - A Criticism of the Research Methodology The Effect of Basking Lamps on the Health of Captive Tortoises & Other Reptiles The Climate Frame Terrarium: Outdoor housing with natural UV-B and optimal Infra-Red Dietary Fibre in the diet of the herbivorous tortoise Testudo graeca graeca in Spain: Some implications for captive husbandry Feeding Tortoises: Avoiding Dietary Disasters Suggested wild foods for herbivorous tortoises Toxicity of some common houseplants Feeding Aquatic Turtles Promoting Proper Bone Development - Choosing and Using Calcium Supplements Feeding and Nutrition FAQ Plant toxins and herbivores - an outline of the biology Mediterranean Tortoises: How much to feed? Feeding Mediterranean Tortoises - Basic Guidelines Feeding Redfoot and Yellowfoot Tortoises Hidden Dangers in Food! Live Food Choices for Turtles High growth rate diets and vitamin D3 - a response Tortoises: Do They Need To Drink ? Notes on Dietary Constituents for Herbivorous Terrestrial Chelonians and their effect on Growth and Development. All about vitamins, minerals and Tortoises Fussy feeders - What to do if you have a tortoise who demonstrates 'addictive' dietary patterns. Habitats and Housing This section contains vital information and advice on lighting, heating, humidity control and various ideas for pens, vivariums and both indoor and outdoor housing methods for a wide range of species. Building a Tortoise Table Habitat Comparison of tortoise indoor housing designs Evaluating Tortoise Habitats for Animal Welfare Act Compliance Designing High quality outdoor habitats Why you should never mix species Hemp bedding and substrates - Danger! Indoor Housing & Vivarium Design for Tortoises Tortoise Vivarium Review and Comparison Report How to Measure Temperatures Accurately Redfoot Tortoise Outdoor Husbandry In Europe Indoor housing ideas for a baby Redfoot tortoise Understanding Vivarium Substrates Understanding Reptile Lighting systems. Understanding reptile heating systems Microclimates in Captivity Free Roaming Reptile Dangers TROPICAL RAINFOREST TORTOISES AND TURTLES: Practical techniques for the provision of adequate ambient humidity in captivity A Habitat for Horsfields - Includes good info on vivarium design for other species too. Read before buying a 'fish-tank' vivarium for a tortoise! Secure Habitats Top Tips for Perfect Pens A Filter Design for Box Turtles Practical notes on creating humid tropical vivaria for tortoises and turtles. Avoiding problems with Box Turtles The Maintenance and Breeding of Tortoises and Turtles in Cold Climates Aquatic Turtle Maintenance This section contains all the information you need to provide aquatic turtles and terrapins with the correct environment and diet. From basic care to advanced husbandry concepts, you should find what you are looking for in these articles. Creating Natural Habitats for Aquatic Turtles Surface Mount Ponds for Sliders & Other Turtles Care & Beeding of Central American Wood Turtles Quick and Simple Emergency Housing for Turtles Care and Breeding of Musk Turtles Red-Eared Slider Care Care of Aquatic turtles Feeding Aquatic Turtles Help! I've FOUND a turtle! What do do if you find a 'stray' Sternotherus oderatus: The Common Musk Turtle Eye Problems in Aquatic Turtles Nest Sites for Aquatic Turtles - Prevention of Dystocia The Myth of the Red-eared slider Threat Hibernation The topic of hibernation often causes a lot of concern. In this section, we have gathered together some of the best articles on the subject from the past 20 years of the Tortoise Trust Newsletter! The Correct Way to Measure Tortoises (Jackson Ratio) Warm Autumn = Hibernation Problems? Safer Hibernation & Your Tortoise - New and Updated Version Post-hibernation problems in Mediterranean tortoises Refrigerator Hibernation for Tortoises & Turtles Preparing for hibernation: fasting period Hibernating Juvenile Tortoises Refrigerator Hibernation Data with graphs Waking up from Hibernation - Essential Info! Autumn/fall feeding behaviour - UK & N. Europe 18 Essential Hibernation Hints Outdoor (Natural) Hibernation Overwintering Tortoises Species-specifc and Miscellaneous articles Some articles covering the care of individual species, and a range of other articles on safety, general care and maintenance that do not fall within any of our other main categories. Practical Care of the Russian Tortoise Help! I've lost my tortoise! Tips to locate missing animals Basic Care of Mediterranean Tortoises Disaster Planning for pets - be ready if danger strikes Care and Maintenance of the Leopard Tortoise Sternotherus oderatus: The Common Musk Turtle Star Tortoise Basics Tortoises as pets: legal issues & where to obtain Care and Maintenance of common South African tortoises; A Brief Summary 7 Simple Rules for Successfull Tortoisekeeping. When tortoises won't feed Should I give my Tortoise a Bath? ANNUAL DANGER WARNINGS! Tunisian tortoise Identification and Care Practical care & breeding of the Horsfield's or Russian tortoise in captivity. Tortoise thefts Companions for existing tortoises Captive breeding Nest Sites for Terrestrial and Semi-Terrestrial Chelonia Breeding Leopard Tortoises Breeding Bell's Hingeback Tortoises Breeding the Burmese Star (G. platynota) Keeping & Breeding the Pancake Tortoise Nest Sites for Aquatic Turtles - Prevention of Dystocia (Egg-binding) by Environmental Management Incubating Redfoot Tortoise Eggs Rearing Healthy Hatchlings An easy and effective method of accommodation for hatchling tortoises An incubator with variable daily cycle Breeding Emys orbicularis (the European Pond Turtle) Kinixys erosa (Schweigger 1812) - A Captive breeding experience. Egg FAQ - Common questions about eggs and incubation Captive breeding of the Egyptian tortoise Testudo kleinmanni. An effective method of artificial incubation for mediterranean tortoise eggs. Artificial incubation techniques in relation to Testudo graeca & T. hermanni with notes on embryonic anoxia as a possible factor in hatchling mortality in captive breeding programs. Conservation The Asian Turtle Crisis (Hosted by NYTTS) Turtles in Crisis: The Asian Food Markets Turtle Survey of Myanmar Lonesome George Snapping Turtles: A Species in Danger - A Comprehensive Review of their Biology, Ecology and Conservation Status of the Egyptian Tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni, in Egypt. The trade in tortoise-derived souvenir products in Morocco. Folklore, myth and exploitation of reptiles in Morocco and Tunisia Thinking of buying a tortoise? Is it really captive-bred? Is the CITES permit worth the paper it is printed on? Can you believe a word the dealer says? Find out here Taxonomy & Natural history The Mystery of 'The Golden Greeks' Habitat Gallery 1: Testudo (graeca) ibera, Turkey Testudo kleinmanni in Libya - Field Report Glossary of Chelonian Terminology Testudo horsfieldi (GRAY 1844) A brief review of its Biology, Ecology and Captive Breeding A Walk on the Wild Side with Testudo hermanni Notes on the Systematics and Ecology of Testudo hermanni GMELIN 1789 The status and nomenclature of Testudo (graeca) terrestris FORSKAL 1775: with additional notes on some little known land tortoises of Israel including Testudo floweri BODENHEIMER 1935 An Outline of Florida's Fascinating Turtles The Spiny-Tailed Lizard at home. Volcano of giant tortoises. Biotype, nomenclature and taxonomic diagnostic characters of Testudo hermanni hermanni GMELIN 1789 in Southern France with preliminary notes on comparative egg morphology with T. h. boettgeri MOJSISOVICS 1889. An introduction to the Mauremys turtles of the Mediterranean A revision of the Testudines of North Africa, Asia and Europe - Genus: Testudo. Preliminary report on the Taxonomic, Biotypic and Conservation status of the land tortoises of Tunisia. Tortoises of north Africa; taxonomy, nomenclature, phylogeny and evolution with notes on field studies in Tunisia. Observations on the incidence and taxonomic significance of divided supracaudal scutes in Mediterranean tortoises genus Testudo In search of little-known tortoises in southern Turkey. Field Research: Homopus signatus signatus New light on an old tortoise - Gilbert White's Selborne tortoise re-discovered. New record size for north african Testudo. Veterinary Information This section includes data on treatments and medications which should be used under qualified veterinary supervision only. If you have a sick tortoise or turtle please seek qualified professional advice Disinfection Protocols for Tortoise & Turtle Keepers Treating Sight Damaged Tortoises Adverse reaction to Baytril in a Leopard tortoise Rehabilitating Hingeback Tortoises (Genus Kinixys) Emergency Treatment of a Prolapse in a Juvenile Tortoise Shell-Rot Revisited Albendazole & Ivermectin - A warning! The Tortoise Trust Hospital: A brief history Recognising Veterinary Emergencies An outline on treating 'RNS' or respiratory diseases in chelonians Eye Problems in Aquatic Turtles Herpes Virus Infection Associated with Lymphoma in Testudo hermanni Tortoise Epidemic – Quarantine and Barrier nursing Techniques Shell injuries - Practical guidelines for vets. Worming difficult to handle tortoises and turtles. The Jackson Ratio Graph - Inappropriate Use Observations on Dehydration in Reptiles Understanding common worms and protozoa. Common diseases First Aid For the Injured One Tortoise Trust members' experience of a viral epidemic Protozoan infections in Chelonians. Balantidium and Nyctotherus in Testudo species Disease prevention in tortoise collections. Abcesses in Chelonians. Nursing sick tortoises Veterinary Management of Wild Chelonian Populations