Reptile & Amphibian Forums

To get to the point my new baby Leopard Tort was dropped today. Dropped from about 6-10 inches on linoleum (sp?)Afterwards he has eaten and walked around just like before. It's shell is still semi-soft on the bottom, about 3 weeks old. How can i know for sure if he is ok? Im guessing an x-ray?

Not that it's important but, I didn't do it. I told someone they could take him for a visit as long as they promised me that they wouldn't let ANYONE else handle it. I very much trusted this persons judgement, mistake. Well they did let someone else handle it, the kid freaked out when the little guy moved his arm and he tossed him and the tortoise fell. Damn! I would never have trusted that kid. None of this is really important but i had to vent a little. The mature thing to say is that it's ultimately my responsibility.

Regardless i would greatly appreciate and suggestions related to the animals best interest. Please don't rip on me too hard.

When the tortoise was picked up after falling he supposedly urinated. Apparently it was clear. I wasn't there and now the story is that he was about 2 1/2 ft when dropped.

You might say it was 'pissed' for being dropped. From that height I highly doubt any damage was done. Hell... have you ever seen that Jeep commercial (I think it was Jeep) where the bird drops the leopard tortoise... Seriously... if there are no broken scutes or any obvious signs of damage and the little critter is acting normal I don't think you should worry at all.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I am majorly relieved...

... hopefully he's ok like ej says. if his shell's not damaged, his limbs work ok, and he's acting, eating, and going to the bathroom normally, i'd agree that he's probably ok. you know, an older tort might've been hurt worse-- a fully hardened shell would've cracked easier, and with more weight, he would've fallen harder.

i can tell that you feel really terrible about what happened. there are naturally exceptions (i personally know of some very mellow, gentle kids that i'd allow to hold mine), but, by and large, i don't think that reptiles and small kids are a good mix.

Im am 28 years young myself and just the other day i made a mistake with an animal. I was reaching in to pet my sisters hamster and the little guy bit me really good. I reacted on instinct by pulling my hand back really fast. Well the hamster was still attached to my finger, I acidentally flung him about 3' in air and he landed on the counter. So how that goes to that im not a safe bet myself. The hamster is fine by the way. I told my friend that if your ever gonna let a kid that your not sure of, hold the turtle, hold it a few inches off the ground, preferably over a bed or the grass. Live and learn. One thing is for sure, I care about this Tortoise, he's easy to get attached to.

duh...

glad the hamster's ok too!

i just turned 28 myself! y'know, i was feeding my tort once from my fingers and i wasn't watching too closely, and he was in a feeding frenzy... he's accidentally nipped me a few times, no biggie. but this particular time he got me good, and i reflexively lifted my hand... and realizing he was still attached, set him back down after lifting him about an inch off the table. my mom was over and was watching me, and she was all "i thought you were gonna fling him!"

she was worried about her grandtortoise!

anyway, anyone can make mistakes. i just meant that a lot of little kids aren't good enough with animals to be really trusted with them. heck, even all the dog bites you see in the news... a good number of them probably are started by the kid unintentionally hurting the dog first, or poking it with a stick, or something, because they're too hyper or just weren't taught to be gentle with animals....

I HOPE they wern't posing the poor tort on their hip.