Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought an very large female Hermann's for fifty bucks. She is awsome. I had to bug the lady selling her to get that price, but it was worth it. She must be 20 years old at least. My original 2 females rammed the hell out of her for the first few minutes, then she showed them who was boss. Then they all settled down.

Congrats and good luck with you new addition!
Unfortunately I usually am so worried about someone else getting the animal before me that I fork over the full asking price (I know,I'm a sucker)LOL!
Jackie Lapradd

Thanks. I usually give the full price as well, but I did not have enough money left on me to pay the 100 bucks she wanted. I told her I had six of them already, and I was very good with Hermanns. They are my favorite, by the way. I guess she thought I was okay and gave me the discount after a bit of complaining.

Please don't take this as a slam, because that's not my intention, and I realize you're an experienced keeper. My understanding is that new acquisitions should always be quarantined, so I'm interested to know why you chose not to do it. Also, if you can, post a photo of your new tort.

Thanks for the info.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

I KNEW someone was going to mention that. And I don't take it as a slam. You are right. I will quaranteen a new tortoise about 99 percent of the time. The only exceptions are Russians and Hermann's, and that is only after I examine them very thoroughly.
Russians and Hermanns are very very hardy, and I have never known one of them to pass on a disease to another one of their kind. I have come to this conclusion after a lot of observation. Also, I asked the woman about the torts' history, and she seemed soncere and honest when she told me all her torts were treated for parasites and infection and in great health. I could tell the new girl was fine by her behaviour and vigor.

Would I recommend that to everyone? No. That's just me. I have good instincts. That doesn't mean I've never been burned, though.

Yes, I will put up a picture of her soon.

np
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

hey Tortoisehead... you know what a wanker is?
Ed

Yes, I know what a wanker is. Dorky shmucks like you who think they are witty when they are actually tedious and banal.

Now as you develope some experience on these lists you might realize where the line is that you are not supposed to cross. By calling me a Dorky Schmuck you've crossed the line. When I asked if you know what a Wanker is, I simply implied you were a Wanker and didn't actually call you a Wanker. That was admittedly a moment of bad judgement on my part... what's your excuse?
Ed

I must disagree with you agian - wild caught russians are some of the most desease ridden tortoises that you can buy, and have an extreemly high mortality rate.

I agree that Russians can carry a lot of diseases, but I have not seen a high mortality rate in them compared to other torts. The ones I've seen at rep shows and in retail stores always seem to be the healthiest tortoises of them all no matter how they are kept. They are like the typhoid Mary of the tortoise world. They often carry diseases, but they usually don't show much adverse effects from them because of their strong immune system, IF, I repeat, IF, you keep them under reasonably healthful conditions. Their immune sytems beat the disease down and I would not worry too much about introducing a new Russian to an established colony if the colony was in good health. The others have probably already been exposed to whatever the new one has and have immunity.

Of course, you should NEVER let the Russians around any other species because they may very well not have the immunity to what the Russians carry.

hmmmm. Interesting question.
Ed

nothing like having the hell beat out of your pet... cool.
Ed

If you knew anything about tortoises, you'd know that it is perfectly natural and normal for them to squabble a bit when you introduce a new animal. It is just establishing the pecking order, and is rarely dangerous among females. As long as you have large enclosures, which I do, the new one can easily escape and find a place to be left alone until things cool off.