Yeah, I should have the soil tested. An analysis of pollen would probably be a good idea as well. I'm not aware of any studies on tortoises and allergens (odd, considering that most African tortoises seem readily suceptible to respiratory illnesses). You'd think with all of the endangered South African species (Psamobates, Homopus, etc.) that some study would have been done. Every late summer to early winter, I flush my big males' nostrils with a saline solution. Many of them get dry grass in their nose around this time, and prevention of nasal infections is better than seeking a cure when it has spread to the lungs.

However, the poorly managed breeding group is also a theory that still holds up, especially given the fact that I purchased all of my youngsters from a breeder in Austin, even the "yearlings."

But yes, sulcatas are normally very hardy tortoises. The first one I ever owned, Jerry, I bought twelve years ago when I was 13 years old and knew nothing about them. I was feeding the guy dog food, lettuce and zuchini (with some dandelion thrown in because I noticed him munching on it one day in his exercise pen) until I got my hands on Andy Highfield's Encyclopedia of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles and realized that everything I was doing was wrong. I then changed him to an outdoor enclosure and started learning everything I could from my mother about gardening.

Today, Jerry is a 75 pound behemoth, who runs to my feet whenever I step out the back door, who pushes my potted plants and patio furniture around the yard, and who I can never trust to play nicely with the other boys in my colony. They really are wonderful animals, and everyone should be thankful that we have such fantastic animals sharing this planet with us. Truly my favorite species of tortoise, my favorite species period.

T.G.

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