Colorful Tortoises??

I hate that this post is even required, but I must say this-- 

If you want a colorful tortoise, then BUY one. Do not paint a Baby tortoise's shell with craft paint or let your kids paint the shell with fingernail polish. 

It is extremely toxic and will make the tortoise sickly and/or die. 

See poor Derp's shell? After a half dozen scrubbings, she's still got toxic fingernail polish stuck to her shell. :( 

Derp, Pancake, and Tiny Tim all came to me with painted shells. :( Please don't.

Tiny Tim Update

The weather was nice enough this afternoon that I took Tiny Tim outside to get some direct sunshine. Direct sun gives him the best kind of UVBs he needs for treating his severe Metabolic Bone Disease. 

I use a dark colored cloth in the pan to attract more heat & light.

He's SO cute!

He's started getting sleepy from crawling around so much.

He's out. He took several tiny power naps before crawling around again. 

Good News-- no, GREAT news!

Tiny Tim decided to chow down on breakfast this morning! Phew!

Yesterday I grated some yellow squash and then soaked it overnight with calcium syrup, calcium powder, and probiotics. He is eating that with great vigor this morning! Hooray!

Tiny Tim Update

Tiny Tim went outside with my two other tortoises yesterday and had a great time. The direct sunlight is super helpful for him in treating his severe Metabolic Bone Disease. 

Today Tiny Tim went to the vet with Nubs to get checked. He's pretty sickly and has pretty severe MBD. I'll try getting him to eat on his own this week and if that doesn't work, Dr Folland will teach me how to tube feed him.

He's getting his sun time right now. The direct UVB rays will help him be healthy. Just to make sure he stays warm enough, I put a heat lamp on top of the cage.