Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have noticed several posts -- much like the one below -- regarding missing and/or stolen toroises.

Since this appears to be a fairly common thing, and because I now own a leo, I got to thinking. Vets these days are surgically implanting microchip tracking devices into dogs and cats. When the dog or kitty comes up missing, they can be quickly located by following a signal sent from the chip.

So...would it be prudent to have this chip installed in an adult tortoise if one is concerned about theft/loss? The price for implanting in a mammal, I believe, hovers around $150. Well worth it, if you ask me. Anyone know if this device would cause any harm or undue stress to a tort?

Thanks!

--Matt

I've heard of microchips being used for tortoises in the UK, but I'm not sure about here. They have to be a certain size, but an adult leo would be more than big enough. The tough part would be finding a vet knowledgeable enough to do it for you. If you're really interested, your best bet would be to talk with your vet and see if they know about it. BTW, chipping a dog or cat is only about $25-30, or at least it was last time I had it done, which was a couple years ago. I'd think a tort would be more, though.
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Sohni

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 (Testudo hermanni boetgeri)
0.2.0 Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni)
0.0.1 Marginated Tortoise
0.0.2 Russian Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

You will want to inquire about AVID microchips. They set the standard for the industry and are more widely recognized than most other manufacturers. They also have the ability to be read by several different scanners.
Depending on the size of your specimen the chip should be placed subcutaneously in the forelimb. Some suggest placing them I/P but I would think long and hard before going that route. You can purchase the prepackaged syringes loaded with the chips and the scanner from Midwest Tongs. Please be aware that the needle is quite large and some measure of pain and local discomfort should be expected for several days after the placement of the chip.
An alternative to injection is to use a two part epoxy or fiberglass resin and afix it to a discreet location such as the opening behind the back leg. If you are using them just for personal records/inventory then the chip can be placed anywhere on the carapace. Please note that both of these materials are used in shell repair and will not cause harm to your animal especially since you will only be using enough to cover an object the size of a grain of rice.
Regardless of whether you have a vet do it or you feel confident enough to do it yourself make sure the chips are registered in your name. Also, if you plan on having more animals implanted in the future you may want to consider buying a bulk pack so you have sequential numbers.
Best of luck
John316

By the way, these ARE NOT tracking devices. They merely give you the ability to positively prove the animal is yours should it ever resurface on the market again or if a shelter ends up with the animal.
I don't know of any actual tracking device that would be practical or of appropriate size to be used in a tortoise (unless of course you happen to own an adult Aldabra equipped with the LOJAC system LOL). The tags used by field biologists are roughly the size of a AAA battery and have a flexible antenna attached to them. Not very discreet in my opinion.
John316

however, there is no tracking at all. it contains a serial number. If you call the number of Avid or one of the other companies, they can then contact the person who registered that number (which then reunites pet to owner) This of course requires that the lost animal is found by someone who takes it in to be scanned to see if it has a chip or if a vets office scans pet while it is there. I try to make certain any pets brought in that the clients say they found are always scanned. Only once were we able to locate an owner this way.

If a tracking device DOEs exist however, please post information on it, I would love to have it done to all of my pets.( My dogs and cats and bird are microchipped now by Avid).

that I made the tracking thing up. lol. It was my understanding that the chips could be used as a tracking device. But from what you more knowledgeable folks are saying, that was pure fiction on my part. oops

Thanks for all the great replies.

--Matt

The chips current implanted in pets are "PIT" tags, and don't send out a signal but are read like produce at the Grocers. Tags that actually generate a trackable signal are about the size of a dime that can be glued to the shell or implanted (surgery involved) under the skin and a long 6-8" metal antenna will extend from the skin to produce the signal range....def not the kind of thing you would want hanging off your tortoise for the next 50 years...
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My Site

...once those PIT tags navigatble...just like your cable fees...on top of all that by all means; don't forget da TAX (da multiple kind!)...