StarTortoises.net
 StarTortoises.net * Indian / Sri Lankan & Burmese Star Tortoises... plus a few other species...

Burmese & Indian / Sri Lankan Star Tortoises
(G. platynota & G. elegans)

Other Stars

Angulate Tortoise
(Chersina angulata)

Misc. Pages

 

 

 

Ginormous Links Page

Indian / Sri Lankan & Burmese Stars, allergics, diet & foods, indoor & outdoor housing, Angulates, fecal exams, Radiateds, and more

 

Geochelone elegans - Star tortoise

Sri Lankan Star tortoise (Geochelone elegans)

Ok, I give up! It's just way too time consuming trying to keep up with all the dying links on the web. Too many web pages keep on disappearing or changing their URL's...

Due to the large number of links and lack of time, this page will NOT BE CHECKED FOR DEAD LINKS anymore. Sorry. I do still occasionally add a few new links, though. Also, I will gladly remove any dead links if you alert me about them. :O)

 

Jump to any section of links:

1.) Indian / Sri Lankan Star tortoise links

2.) Burmese Star tortoise links

3.) Allergy & toxics links

4.) Tortoise diet links

5.) Tortoise housing links

6.) Angulate tortoise links

7.) Fecal exam links

8.) Radiated tortoise links

 

1.) Links - Indian / Sri Lankan Star tortoises

Geochelone elegans

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geochelone elegans

Sri Lankan Star tortoise (Geochelone elegans)

Caution

These offsite links are NOT intended as an endorsement. I am not familiar with most of these breeders, businesses, individuals, or the quality of their animals and/or products.

Most of these links, i.e., their page contents, have NOT been verified for accuracy. These links are included merely for the convenience of obtaining more information about Indian / Sri Lankan Star tortoises. As always, do your own homework!

Profiles & care sheets

Ps. You can translate foreign language text and/or web pages by Yahoo Babel Fish or Google Translate.

  • All Experts - turtle section Q & A, search for "star tortoise" (Note: When I looked at that site, none of the volunteer "experts" answering questions kept Star tortoises themselves)
  • Auroville - info sheet, India
  • Austin's Turtle Page - by Jan O.
  • BIAZA - British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums, TorTool, basic information on all aspects of husbandry for 44 tortoise species, Jul 2009
  • British Chelonia Group - very brief care sheet
  • Carolina Tortoises - Star tortoise care sheet (archived)
  • Carolina Tortoises - free download of the book "Raising and Breeding Tortoises: A Practical Guide" by Jeff Anastasi PhD, 2004, includes the Indian Star tortoise (archived)
  • Central Pets - brief info sheet (archived)
  • Cold Blooded News - Star tortoise care, by Tabaka DVM & Senneke, reprint from Tortuga Gazette, May 2003
  • Dark Side Reptiles - Star tortoise caresheet, by Jerry Fife, bb post by admin Sep 2009
  • Dauvi Verlag - Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans): Several years of husbandry and breeding experience in Bulgaria, by Ivo E. Ivanchev, Schildkröten im Fokus Online, 2012:3, pdf in English
  • Dimdima - kids' online magazine, India
  • Grand Canyon State Tortoises - Leopard and Star tortoise caresheet
  • HerpetoFauna - bb post, Star care sheet
  • Honolulu Zoo - description
  • InfoTortuga - Tortuga estrellada, Spanish
  • National Zoological Park - New Delhi, India
  • NBSV - Nederlands-Belgische Schildpadden Vereniging, Huisvestingsrichtlijn Indische sterschildpad, by Arnaud van den Berg, Dutch, Mar 2008
  • Portál SvětŽelv - želva hvězdnatá, info and photos, Czech
  • Reptile Channel - care sheet, by Jerry Fife, Jun 2009
  • Reptile Channel - Star tortoise diet, by Jerry Fife, Jul 2009
  • Samenkiste - info, in German
  • Schildi-Online - Gewichte von Sternschildkröten, incl. a sample growth chart for Stars, by Horst Köhler, May 2010, in German
  • Schildi-Online - Sternschildkröten – meine Favoriten, by Ilona Heß, Jul 2009, in German
  • SGRB - Schildkrotte Grubbe Regio Basel, Die Sternschildkröte (Geochelone elegans), in German
  • SIGS - Schildkröten-Interessengemeinschaft Schweiz, die Sternschildkröte, by Walter Könitzer, in German
  • Springer Link - The origin of Indian Star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analysis: A story of rescue and repatriation, abstract only
  • Sri Lanka Reptile - Sri Lankan Star tortoise profile
  • SriLankaReptile.com - Sri Lankan Star tortoise, by Ruchira Somaweera, University of Peradeniya
  • Star Tortoise UK - by Marcus Langford, UK
  • Sternschildkröten - by Marion Minch; German; once there, click on the "Sternschildkröten" on the left and the 3 links under it
  • Sunset Zoo - click on the Star info sheet link, KS
  • Tartarugando - Geochelone elegans, by Fabio Bolzicco and Jitka Vidlakova, Nov 2010, Italian
  • Testudines.org - Especie: Geochelone elegans, Spanish
  • Tierporträt Tierlexikon - brief info, in German
  • Tortoise Survival Foundation - G. elegans species description, Swiss site, 2013, in English
  • Tortoise Trust - Star Tortoise Basics, by Ulf Edqvist
  • Tortoise Trust - info sheet
  • Tortoise Trust - Feeding Tortoises, includes the Indian Star tortoise, warning photos of what can happen to tortoises that are not eating a proper diet, by A. C. Highfield
  • Tortoise Trust - due to possible serious side effects, Baytril (enrofloxacin) antibiotic is not recommended for several species, including Geochelone elegans and Chersina angulata
  • Tortuga Flats - Sri Lankan Star tortoises, by Randy Fedak
  • Turtles of the World - description taxonomy (classification)
  • University of Michigan - Geochelone elegans, Animal Diversity Web, by Kyle Bouchard
  • Wikipedia - description
  • World Chelonian Trust - info sheet, by Chris Tabaka DVM & Darrell Senneke
  • World Chelonian Trust - differentiating male and female Stars, by Chris Tabaka DVM
  • ZipCodeZoo - brief description and taxonomy (classification)
  • see also the diet page - diet & care, with links
  • see also the housing pages - enclosures & supplies, with links

Breeding & eggs - Stars

  • Faizalr - blog, hatching Star tortoise, photos, 2007
  • Tortoise Forum - US bb, hatching Star tortoises, Jun 2010
  • Shelled Warriors - UK bb, Indian Star tortoise incubation statistics, with photos, Nov 2010
  • Shelled Warriors - UK bb, Indian Star tortoise incubation statistics, with photos of hatchlings and Star tortoise setups, Jan 2010
  • Shelled Warriors - UK bb, hatching Indian Star tortoises, with photos, Jun 2009
  • Shelled Warriors - UK bb, photos of fertile eggs on p.1 and p.3, incl. Stars, 2007
  • Zoos' Print - Captive Breeding of the Indian Star Tortoise, by Raju Vyas, Sayaji Baug Zoo, India, 2005 (a .pdf file)
  • Note: If the above Zoos' Print link doesn't work, go their home page and search for the above article by the author or title

Breeding & eggs - Other

  • Tortoise Forum - US bb, candling fertile Redfoot eggs, 2011
  • Tortoise Forum - US bb, homemade incubator for Box turtle eggs, with photos, 2012
  • Shelled Warriors - UK, series of photos of a fertile Pancake tortoise egg as it develops, 2007
  • Tortoise Protection Group - description of signs of a gravid tortoise, and advice on creating nesting sites indoors and outdoors (click on the .pdf file link at the bottom of the page to get the full info), 2009
  • Tortoise Protection Group - Guidance on dealing with egg sacs which are not fully absorbed in a newly hatched tortoise, by Elaine Pearman
  • Tortoise Trust - Egg FAQ

Things & gifts

  • Star Tortoises Shop - Indian / Sri Lankan & Burmese Star tortoise, Radiated tortoise, and Angulate tortoise gifts; magnets, stickers, t-shirts, mugs, hats, bags, mousepads, keychains, necklaces, ornaments, etc.
  • Tortoise replicasebay - realistic tortoise replicas, incl. Indian Star tortoises, available selection varies
  • All Plush - a plush toy Star tortoise, 11" long, by Fiesta
  • Eco Universe - Burmese Star tortoise print by Tell Hicks
  • TTPG - Star tortoise t-shirt
  • Raspera - paper models to build
  • Royal Crown Derby - an Indian Star tortoise collectable figurine, animals paperweight series, hand-decorated and finished with hand-applied gold
  • theBIGzoo - a large tortoise poster (27"x38"), includes the Indian Star tortoise, tortoise paintings on a sandy light brown background
  • Wildlife Magnets - tortoise and turtle magnets by wildlife illustrator Roger Hall; Indian Star tortoise, Leopard tortoise, Redfoot tortoise, Sulcata, Box turtles, and many more; sold by the artist

Conservation, international trade etc.

Misc. pages

Videos

Blogs

Forums

Yahoo groups

Maps & climate

Pdf files

  • ASEAN-WEN - Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Wildlife Enforcement Network, Identification Guides for Wildlife Species Traded in Southeast Asia
  • CITES - species identification manual; choose 'fauna, species, group reptilia, G. elegans'
  • SIGS - Schildkröten-Interessengemeinschaft Schweiz, Bemerkungen zu den Schildkröten Sri Lankas by S. Pawlowski, 2009 Nr 4(pdf, in German)
  • US Fish & Wildlife Service Forensic Lab - ID guide, Star-patterned tortoises
  • Zoos' Print Journal - Distribution and Status of the Star Tortoise in Gurajat State, India; by Raju Vyas & B.M. Parasharya, Apr 2000
  • Zoos' Print Journal - Surgical excision of granuloma in an Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans), by P.K. Mehrotra, B.B.L. Mathur, Sudhir Bhargava & S. Choudhary, May 2000
  • Zoos' Print Journal - Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans) feeding on slug, by Indra R. Gadhvi, Jul 2001
  • Zoos' Print Journal - Captive Breeding of the Indian Star Tortoise, by Raju Vyas, India, May 2005
  • Zoos' Print Journal - The Indian Star Tortoise: Status in the Protected Areas Gujarat and in Indian Zoos, by Raju Vyas, India, Apr 2006
  • Note: If the above Zoos' Print links don't work, go their home page and search for the above articles by author or title

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Due to lack of time and the large number of links, this page will NOT be checked for dead links anymore. Sorry. Use at your own risk. :O)

 

2.) Links - Burmese Star Tortoise

Geochelone platynota

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geochelone platynota

Burmese Star tortoise (Geochelone platynota)

Caution

These offsite links are NOT intended as an endorsement. I am not familiar with most of these breeders, businesses, individuals, or the quality of their animals and/or products.

Most of these links, i.e., their page contents, have NOT been verified for accuracy. These links are included merely for the convenience of obtaining more information about the Burmese Star tortoise. As always, do your own homework!

Burmese Star - Profiles & caresheets

  • Arkive - Threatened reptiles, Burmese Star
  • ASEAN-WEN - Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Wildlife Enforcement Network, Identification Guides for Wildlife Species Traded in Southeast Asia
  • Behler Chelonian Center - BCC in California
  • BIAZA - British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums, TorTool, basic information on all aspects of husbandry for 44 tortoise species, Jul 2009
  • CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, species identification manual
  • CITES - Proposals for amendment of Appendices I and II, G. platynota, incl. species description, 16 October 2012
  • IUCN/SSC - Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Chelonian Research Monographs, Geochelone platynota, by Chelonian Research Foundation, published Dec 2011 (download the pdf file)
  • Kingsnake - bb, Burmese Star tortoise care sheet, by Dr. William Zovickian
  • Knoxville Zoo - Tennessee, profile
  • Portál SvětŽelv - info, in Czech
  • Tarta Club Italia - Tartaruga stellata Burmese, in Italian
  • Testudines.org - Especie: Geochelone platynota, in Spanish
  • Testudo Maniac - La tortue étoilée de Birmanie, in French
  • Tortoiseinfo.org - G. platynota caresheet, HI, Jan 2012
  • Tortoiseinfo.org - sexing Burmese Stars, Oct 2011
  • Tortoise Survival Foundation - G. platynota species description, Swiss site, 2013, in English
  • Tortoise Trust - Breeding the Burmese Star Tortoise, by Rajanta Sinardja Rahardja
  • Turtles of the World - Ernst, Altenburg, Barbour
  • US Fish & Wildlife Service Forensic Lab - ID guide, Star-patterned tortoises, a pdf file
  • World Chelonian Trust - Differentiating male and female, by Chris Tabaka, DVM
  • World Chelonian Trust - Quiz: Which starred tortoise is this?

Burmese Star - Books

Burmese Star - Videos

  • Taipei Zoo - Reproduction and conservation of Geochelone platynota, Sep 2009
  • YouTube - more Burmese Star videos

Burmese Star - Misc. links

  • ATCN - Importer's rare tortoises a labor of love, Japan Times, 2006
  • BioOne - Sulawesi tortoise adeonovirus-1 in two Impressed tortoises (Manouria impressa) and a Burmese Star tortoise (Geochelone platynota), Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Sep 2012
  • Boston Globe - San Diego Zoo's first hatchlings, 2008
  • CITES - CoP 16, Bangkok, Thailand, March 8, 2013; G. platynota moved from App II to App I; "Proposal CoP16 Prop. 37 to transfer Geochelone platynota (Burmese star tortoise) from Appendix II to Appendix I was introduced by the United States. It was supported by Ireland, on behalf of the Member States of the European Union and Croatia, and was accepted." (CoP16 Com. I Rec. 9, pdf)
  • CITES - CoP 16 summary documents
  • IUCN Red List - Burmese Star tortoise is critically endangered
  • Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary - has a Burmese Star tortoise breeding facility
  • Red Orbit - Endangered Turtles Get Help From Conservationists, WCS is currently breeding Burmese Star tortoises and other chelonians, Apr 2012
  • Schildkröten im Fokus - Do breeding facilities for chelonians threaten their stability in the wild?; English translation of the article Bedrohen Schildkrötenfarmen die Wildbestände? by Thomas & Sabine Vinke, 2010, incl. Burmese Star
  • Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary - has a Burmese Star tortoise breeding facility
  • Society for Conservation Biology - 16th annual meeting, case studies from Myanmar abstracts, 2002
  • Taipei Times - Taipei Zoo to ink pact on rare tortoises, Sep 2009
  • Taipei Times - Extinction prompts conservation, Jul 2012
  • Testudina - online-Magazin für Schildkrötenfans, G. platynota article, pdf, in German, Ausgabe 1, 2012
  • Tortoise Trust - Behind the Scenes: A Tortoise Survey of the Shwe Settaw Wildlife Sanctuary in Myanmar, by Dan Sterantino
  • TSA - The World’s Top 25 Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, full report, incl. the Burmese Star tortoise, Feb 2011
  • TSA - Turtle Survival Alliance, many articles on Burmese Stars, e.g. e-news and Myanmar travel logs
  • Turtle Conservation Fund - World's top 25 Most Endangered Turtles, includes the Burmese Star Tortoise and The Geometric Tortoise from Africa
  • Turtle Works - Jerry Novak
  • WCS - WCS Launches Global Effort to Save Critically Endangered Turtles from Extinction, threat mitigation programs for four top-priority critically endangered species incl. G. platynota, Apr 2012
  • ZipCodeZoo - Burmese Star tortoise
  • Zoo Borns - Burmese Star Tortoise Hatchlings at the Knoxville Zoo, Jan 2009

Burmese Star - Forums

Burmese Star - Gifts

  • Eco Universe - Burmese Star tortoise print
  • Star Tortoise Gifts - Burmese Star tortoise magnets, stickers, t-shirts, mousepads, caps, tote bags, greeting cards, mugs, buttons, etc.

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Due to lack of time and the large number of links, this page will NOT be checked for dead links anymore. Sorry. Use at your own risk. :O)

 

3.) Links - Allergies & Tortoise Keeping

Allergies, toxics, etc.

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Geochelone elegans

Geochelone elegans

First

To start, read the Substrates & Allergics (indoor substrates for tortoises) and Housing & Allergics (tubs, enclosure materials, indoor air quality, indoor humidity, etc.) pages.

Caution

These offsite links are NOT intended as an endorsement. I am not familiar with most of these breeders, businesses, individuals, or the quality of their animals and/or products.

Most of these links, i.e., their page contents, have NOT been verified for accuracy. These links are included merely for the convenience of obtaining more information about the topic. As always, do your own homework!

Allergies & tortoises - There isn't much on the web specifically about human allergies and tortoises...

  • AAAAI - American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; Helping a kid with asthma be a kid; Excerpt: "Consider getting a pet such as a turtle, hermit crab, fish, snake or other animals without fur or feathers."
  • AAFA - Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America; Pet allergies; Excerpt: "Keeping the pet outdoors will help, but will not rid the house of pet allergens. Another option is to have pets that do not have fur or feathers. Fish, snakes or turtles are some choices."
  • ACAAI - American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; Indoor allergies; Excerpt: "Dogs, cats and other mammals are the pets most likely to cause allergies in sensitive individuals. Fish, turtles and salamanders are less likely to cause problems."
  • Allercure - Animal dander; Excerpt: "A highly sensitive individual can consider keeping fish, turtles, frogs or tortoises as pets. These pets do not shed dander or have hair or fur, and their droppings do not create allergic problems."
  • Anapsid - Allergies to Reptiles and Herp-Keeping Products, by Melissa Kaplan, 1997; Excerpt: "Those who feel they or a family member are allergic to reptiles generally do so because of skin irritation. Further investigation into these cases of contact dermatitis shows that, rather than being allergic to the animal, the individuals are in fact allergic to something that they have introduced into their home along with the reptile."
  • Healing Well - A Checklist Of Allergens; Excerpt: "Many people that test negative to animals may still have a tendency to develop allergies after exposure to a pet for a period of time. If you feel your family must have a pet in the home consider turtles, fish, hermit crabs or reptiles for the allergic patient."
  • Kids Health - If I have asthma, can I keep my pet?; Excerpt: "If you're missing your pet, it may take a long time before you want a new one. But someday, if you do, your best bets are turtles, snakes, lizards, or fish. They're less likely to cause allergies."
  • Kids Health - Creating an asthma-safe home; Excerpt: "All warm-blooded pets can cause allergic reactions, but cold-blooded ones (such as snakes, lizards, fish, and turtles) are fine."
  • NetDoctor - Pet allergies; Excerpt: "But what about fish or turtles? This may sometimes work but then you may be allergic to the food they eat."
  • Pet Peoples Place - I'm Allergic To Fur. What Kind Of Pet Can I Have?, by veterinarian James Glover; Excerpt: "Have you considered a tortoise? For this you would need access to a garden."
  • Rice University - occupational health inc. allergies, reptiles; Excerpt: "Human sensitivity to reptile proteins in the laboratory setting is rare. It remains possible however, to become sensitized to reptile proteins through inhalation or direct skin contact."
  • SignOnSanDiego - How to live with pet allergies, Excerpt: "The only 'safe' pets for the allergic are fish, frogs, toads, turtles, lizards, snakes and most insects."
  • TRAAC - Texas Regional Asthma & Allergy Center; Pet Advice for Asthma and Allergy Patients; Excerpt: "The best types of pets for allergic patients are tropical fish, snakes, lizards, turtles, salamanders and certain types of frogs and tortoises. All of these pets do not have hair, fur or dander nor does their excrement create allergic problems. However, patients should keep in mind that large aquariums can add water vapor in a room, thus increasing mold and house dust mite concentrations in their home."
  • UpToDate - Trigger avoidance in allergic rhinitis, Excerpt: "Other animals, such as rodents, birds, and ferrets can also trigger symptoms in an allergic individual. Pets without feathers or fur, such as reptiles, turtles, and fish rarely cause allergy, although deposits of fish food that build up under the covers of fish tanks are an excellent source of food for dust mite colonies."
  • Wiley InterScience - Allergic rhinitis to turtle food, Allergy journal, published online Oct 2008

Dust mite allergy - If you allergic to dust mites, keep the indoor humidity low.

Soil, moss, molds etc. - Soil and moss are commonly used substrates in indoor tortoise enclosures.

  • American Environmental Health Foundation - numerous molds are found inside homes, common locations for fungi growth include plants and soil used to pot plants, common soil-borne fungi include: Aspergillus, Candida albicans, Cephalosporium, Chaetomium, Curvularia, Epicoccum, Geotrichum, Gliocladium, Monilia, Mucor, Neuspora, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Pullularia, Stemphylium, Verticillium
  • AZ Daily Sun - Soil-borne diseases a warming risk, 2006
  • Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association - Sporotrichosis aka Rose Gardener's disease is caused by the fungus Sporotrichum schenckii; it's found in soil, plants, forest litter, and various mosses, including sphagnum moss (but not sphagnum peat moss)
  • MBL Laboratories - molds commonly found in flower pot soil include Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus; the last two are in the hazard category A (fungi or their metabolic products are highly hazardous to health)
  • MedicineNet - persons handling thorny plants, sphagnum moss, or baled hay are at increased risk of developing sporotrichosis (fungal infection)
  • Medline Plus - National Institutes of Health's web site (gov); Sporotrichosis is a chronic skin infection caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii (e.g. in mulch-rich dirt); Excerpt: "Systemic sporotrichosis can cause lung and breathing problems, bone infection, arthritis, and infection of the nervous system."
  • Old House Web - Sporotrichosis (Sporo) is a fungal disease present in sphagnum moss, soil, and decomposing organic matter
  • Soil Science Education - by NASA, Soil scientists have long known the connection between human health and the soil, links to soil-borne diseases

Wood chips, molds etc. - Various wood chips are popular substrates in indoor tortoise enclosures.

  • Clean Air Sciences - fungal glossary, wood chips are often attacked by M. plimbeus fungus causing "wood chips disease" and "furrier’s lung", 2008
  • emedicine - Mold allergy, bark chips are correlated with accumulation of molds, 2009
  • interScience - Chip pile workers are exposed to high concentrations of airborne mold spores, abstract, 1987 & 2007 (search for "Chip pile workers and mould exposure")
  • Journal of Occup. & Environm. Medicine - Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS) is a flu-like syndrome that can occur after inhalation of cotton, grain, wood chip dusts, or other organic dusts or aerosols, abstract, 1997
  • PubMed - a review of published data suggests extrinsic allergic alveolitis in wood workers is primarily caused by inhalation of the spores of contaminating fungi (e.g. in wood chips), abstract, 1994
  • Save Our Cypress - cypress mulch purchased today comes from wide spread clear cutting of entire eco systems
  • Tampa Bay Estuary Program - Cypress Mulch - Why Kill a Tree to Grow a Flower? (under Yards & Neighborhoods)
  • All chip and particle type substrates may cause intestinal blockage if ingested. These include sand, calci sand, small gravel, corncob litter, crushed oyster shells, aspen, cypress mulch, orchid bark, and other bark type substrates. See the necropsy (autopsy) links below for examples of intestinal blockages.
  • Mrs King's BioWeb - necropsy photos, Bearded Dragon that died of intestinal blockage caused by ingested crushed walnut shell substrate
  • Repashy Forum - necropsy photos, lizard that died of intestinal blockage caused by ingested orchid bark substrate

Coconut products - Coconut fiber products are popular indoor substrate for tortoises.

  • ASCIA - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, contact allergic dermatitis to coconut products

Formaldehyde - toxin, carcinogen

Update Jun 2011: The U.S. government added formaldehyde to the list of carcinogens (cancer causing agents). When buying pressed wood products, look for goods made with ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) or with no-added formaldehyde (NAF) resins.

  • ATSDR - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (US gov); Low levels of formaldehyde can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin
  • EPA - Environmental Protection Agency (US gov); Indoors, the most significant sources of formaldehyde most likely are pressed wood products (particle board, plywood, fiberboard)
  • HBN - Healthy Building Network; formaldehyde is a carcinogen, bronchial irritant, and asthma trigger
  • NIEHS - National Institutes of Health, National Toxicology Program (US gov), 12th Report on Carcinogens, formaldehydes was added to the list of carcinogens, Jun 2011

Plastics - PVC is toxic

  • ATSRD - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (US gov); vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC, vinyl) and PVC is used to make a variety of plastic products; FDA regulates the vinyl chloride content of various plastics (e.g. plastics that carry liquids and come in contact with food)
  • ATSRD - toxicological profile for vinyl chloride
  • CHEJ - Center for Health, Environment and Justice; list of common PVC products in your home, PVC products have number "3" or the letter "V" inside or underneath the universal recycling symbol, but not all products are marked
  • HBN - PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) is the worst plastic from an environmental health perspective
  • HBN - vinyls explained (PVC, PVCD, EVA, PEVA, PVA, PVB)
  • KSE - Kids for Saving Earth; in homes, PVC releases carcinogenic gasses into the air; Excerpt: "A 1997 study by the National Institute of Public Health in Norway showed that children with PVC (vinyl) flooring in their homes had an 89% higher risk of lung problems than children in PVC-free homes." (intro to kids environmental health link, doc file)
  • PVC Information - PVC Products and non-PVC alternatives
  • Veg Family - list of plastics considered SAFE (#1 PET/ PETE, #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE, #5 PP) and NOT safe (#3 PVC, #6 polystyrene or styrofoam, #7 misc.)

Plastics - acrylic is ok

  • Dyna Lab - Plastic Properties of Polymethylmethacrylate (aka acrylic)
  • Health Observatory - Smart Plastics guide: "Avoid #7 plastics labeled as PC. PC or polycarbonate plastic can leach harmful bisphenol A (BPA). Other #7 plastics like copolyester, polyamide, acrylic and polylactic acid (PLA) are safer choices because they don’t contain BPA." (a pdf file)

Paints, fumes etc. - Wooden tortoise tortoise tables (open-topped boxes) need waterproofing.

  • EPA - volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Old House Web - Indoor Air Quality: Avoiding VOCs; Excerpt: "Formaldehyde in light doses causes eye, nose and throat irritation, and the EPA considers it cancer-causing in humans."
  • SF Chronicle - Sick building syndrome, odor is a first indication of the presence of irritants in the air

Zoonoses - Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

  • AVMA Journals - Sporotrichosis is often seen in gardeners
  • CDC - US Dept of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Reptiles and Salmonella
  • CDC - Salmonella, hand washing instructions
  • CTTC - Salmonella prevention for reptile owners
  • FDA - Pet Turtles: Cute But Contaminated with Salmonella
  • NWZG - North West Zoonoses Group, UK, list and description of zoonotic diseases
  • Pediatrics - Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Associated With Small Turtle Exposure, Nov 2009, abstract

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Due to lack of time and the large number of links, this page will NOT be checked for dead links anymore. Sorry. Use at your own risk. :O)

 

4.) Links - Tortoise Foods

Plants, edible, toxic, nutrients, etc.

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star tortoise taking a bite

Sri Lankan Star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) having a meal. Note: Feeding sprouts to tortoises is controversial. Some keepers feel they are ok occasionally, while others feel they should never be fed.

First

To start, read the diet page for info on foods suitable for Indian / Sri Lankan & Burmese Star tortoises and other herbivorous tortoises.

Caution

These offsite links are NOT intended as an endorsement. I am not familiar with most of these breeders, businesses, individuals, or the quality of their animals and/or products.

Most of these links, i.e., their page contents, have NOT been verified for accuracy. These links are included merely for the convenience of obtaining more information about tortoise nutrition. As always, do your own homework!

Tortoise diets

  • African Tortoise - edible plants
  • African Tortoise - Feeding Sulcata and Leopard tortoises, by Joe Heinen
  • CTTC - California Turtle & Tortoise Club, Edible landscaping for tortoises, by Mary Cohen
  • Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee - Plants eaten by juvenile Desert tortoises in the central Mojave desert, by E. Karen Spangenberg
  • Don's Desert Tortoises - Native Plants vs Grocery Produce, by Don Williams
  • Herp Care Collection - Desert Tortoise Diet Sheet, by Melissa Kaplan
  • issuu - photos, edible plants and weeds for tortoises
  • Russian Tortoise - edible plants for tortoises
  • Russian Tortoise - Calcium, Phosphorous and Vitamin D3, by Joe Heinen
  • Reptile Channel - Indian Star tortoise diet, by Jerry Fife
  • Tlady's - UK, edible plants, ID guide with beautiful graphics, by Lin King
  • Tortoise Group - nutrient values in foods
  • Tortoise Group - plants to grow for tortoises
  • Tortoise Group - transplanting dandelions
  • Tortoise Table - edible, so-so, and poisonous plants; new UK site, Nov 09
  • Tortoise Trust - UK/Spain, Dietary Fibre in the diet of the Herbivorous Tortoise Testudo graeca graeca in Spain: Some implications for captive husbandry, by A.C. Highfield, 2010 (this info is also applicable to other tortoises that experience a dry season)
  • Tortoise Trust - UK, Feeding Tortoises, includes the Indian Star tortoise, by A.C. Highfield
  • Tortoise Trust - UK, Notes on Dietary Constituents for Herbivorous Terrestrial Chelonians and their effect on Growth and Development, by A.C. Highfield
  • Tortoise Trust - UK, winter feeding guide
  • Turtle Cafe - list of edible plants
  • World Chelonian Trust - Nutrient analysis of replacement turtle and tortoise foods, by Darrell M. Senneke
  • Yahoo Green - Make your greens last longer

Plant guides

  • ACIS - University of AZ, weed photo library
  • Dave's Garden - Garden Watchdog, a directory of over 7,000 mail order gardening companies with customer ratings, includes a list of top 30 nurseries
  • DGS - UK, weed photo ID guide, leaves & flowers
  • eLOOK - nutritional information
  • Mojave National Preserve - photo ID guide for desert plants
  • NC State University - the TurfFiles, ID guide for broadleaves, grasses, and sedges
  • OHF - Oxalosis & Hyperoxaluria Foundation, The Oxalate Content of Food, food tables compiled by dieticians who work on oxalate research (pdf file)
  • Plants for a Future - searchable database of edible and medicinal plants, free database download, US
  • Plants for a Future - edible and useful plants, UK mirror site
  • SedumPhotos - photos of over 600 kinds of sedums
  • Spring mix salad - what's in it, picture guide to ingredients
  • UC Davis - University of California, weed photo gallery
  • USDA - US Dept of Agriculture, searchable nutrition data base, including vegetables
  • Weed Alert - photo ID guide to US weeds

Toxic plants

  • ASPCA - toxic and non-toxic plants
  • AZ Exotic Animal Hospital - toxic plant list
  • Busy Birds - toxicity of plants
  • CPCS - California Poison Control System, toxic plant list
  • CPCS - California Poison Control System, safe plant list
  • CTTC - California Turtle & Tortoise Club, poisonous plant list
  • Herp Care Collection - edible and harmful plants
  • Reptile Channel - Reptiles - Toxic plants
  • Shelled Warriors - UK bb, photos of poisonous plants
  • SDTTS - San Diego Turtle & Tortoise Society, Plants That Poison (a pdf file)
  • U Penn - University of Pennsylvania, poisonous plant lists by common and Latin names

Spineless cactus

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Due to lack of time and the large number of links, this page will NOT be checked for dead links anymore. Sorry. Use at your own risk. :O)

 

5.) Links - Tortoise Housing

Indoors & outdoors

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Geochelone elegans

Geochelone elegans

First

To start, read the Star tortoise indoor housing, lighting & heating, substrates, hideboxes, outdoor housing, allergic keepers p.1 (more on substrates), and p.2 (enclosure materials etc.) pages.

These offsite links are NOT intended as an endorsement. They are included merely for the convenience of obtaining more information about tortoise housing.

Indoor housing

There are numerous ways to set up a tortoise enclosure. Below are links to some housing related pages I've found while surfing the web. These links do not support any specific set-up, but cover a variety of ideas. As always, read as many resources as possible. Then create an enclosure that's suitable for your tortoise species in your environment and conditions. Observe your tortoise in it and adjust as needed!

Do note that many of the European tortoise set-ups are for various Mediterranean species (Greek, Hermann, Marginated) and Russian tortoises which may not need quite as high environmental temperatures as Star tortoises. Mediterranean and Russian tortoises, unlike Stars, tend to be diggers and climbers, too. They need an enclosure with burrowing substrate and escape-proof walls.

Adult, egg-laying females will also need a deep nesting area if they are kept indoors. See links below.

Caution

These offsite links are NOT intended as an endorsement. I am not familiar with most of these breeders, businesses, individuals, or the quality of their animals and/or products.

Most of these links, i.e., their page contents, have NOT been verified for accuracy. These links are included merely for the convenience of obtaining more information about tortoise housing. As always, do your own homework!

Indoor set-ups

  • Basil - plastic reptile tub on a table (Redfoots need high humidity, so you'd need to modify the contents for a dry area species like the Star tortoise)
  • Cavy Cages - easy DIY guinea pig cages made with Coroplast (corrugated plastic) and wire cubes, with photos and detailed building instructions, these cages can be modified for use with tortoises (just build the bottom box with higher walls, good climbers like Box Turtles may also need a cover to prevent escape)
  • Cavy Spirit - more photos of open-top guinea pig cages made with corrugated plastic and wire cubes, can be modified for use with tortoises, e.g. a cage with a cheap folding table as the base
  • Cornsnakes Forum - coffee table enclosure
  • Egyptian Tortoise - indoor tortoise pen for Egyptian tortoises made from a Waterland tub, by Fred Erwin Jr
  • Happy-Turtles.de - indoor Leopard tortoise room (Raumterrarium), outdoor greenhouse (Gewächshaus), many photos, DEU
  • Hatchling Haven - basic setup for a hatchling, by Darrell Senneke
  • Hatchling Haven - setup for arid species, e.g. Indian Star, by Darrell Senneke
  • Info Tortuga - a wooden outdoor box on wheels, many photos, ESP
  • Konnat - a wooden table with plexiglas front, with photos, FIN
  • Pet Tortoise - instructions for building a very simple hatchling tortoise table, GBR
  • Reptile Channel - Indoor Tortoise and Turtle Table Housing, includes minimum size recommendations (for tortoises the length of the indoor pen should be at least 6-7 times the carapace length and width 4-5 times), by Chuck Schaffer
  • Reptiles1 - plastic tub setup for Leopard babies (Rabbit pellets are not recommended as a substrate anymore. In addition, many allergic people have problems with them because they smell and mildew.)
  • RFUK - UK bb, indoor enclosure section, lots of pics
  • Russian Tortoise - Rubbermaid pen for Russians which are diggers and climbers, unlike Stars (allergic people could not use the Timothy hay)
  • Shelled Warriors - UK bb, indoor tortoise enclosure section, lots of photos
  • Shelled Warriors - UK bb, step-by-step instructions with photos for building a 6.5 ft x 2.5 ft wooden tortoise table (If you keep it inside and are allergic to raw wood smell, you'll have to use low VOC varnish or paint to seal it. Good for water proofing, too.)
  • Slowcoach - pen for Mediterranean tortoise hatchlings made from an underbed storage box, by Bob Elliot, UK
  • Slowcoach - wooden tortoise table with legs for Mediterranean hatchlings, by Bob Elliot, GBR
  • Sulcata Station - wooden tortoise table (people with allergies could not use hay)
  • Tortoise Forum - bb, building a wooden 3-story tortoise table, step by step photos, Feb 2008
  • Tortoise Forum - bb, reptile room full of 3-story tortoise tables, many photos, Oct 2009
  • Tortoise Forum - bb, a wooden 3-level tortoise table with removable plastic tubs, Apr 2010
  • Tortoise Forum - bb, wooden tortoise table with attached legs and storage shelves, can also be build as a stand for a plastic tub, Oct 2010
  • Tortoise Forum - bb, 2-level wooden tortoise table, Jan 2011
  • Tortoise Forum - bb, a wooden tortoise table with a lid and front window, Jan 2011
  • Tortoise Trust - Basic housing for hatchlings
  • Tortoise Trust - Constructing a Simple Open-topped Tortoise Enclosure, by Sue Brooks (This wooden tortoise table uses small plastic tubs inside the table. Ideal if you like to keep live plants in an indoor tortoise habitat. Just switch between flats of plants as needed.)
  • Tortoise Trust - UK bb, another wooden tortoise box with smaller, substrate-filled plastic boxes inside
  • Tortoise Yard - wooden tortoise table with legs and see-through front panel, by Vicki Hale
  • Tortoise Yard - indoor pen for hatchling Leopard tortoises

Indoor hideboxes

Indoor nesting

Indoor substrates

  • African Tortoise - substrates
  • DIY Network - Tortoise Care Tips video, by Ian Recchio of L.A. Zoo (some information in this 2001 video is outdated, e.g. do not use rabbit pellets or pine chips as substrate)
  • Herp Care Collection - Substrates for Reptiles, by Melissa Kaplan, updated Apr 2007
  • Herp Care Collection - Substrates for Reptiles: Caveat Emptor, by Melissa Kaplan, updated Apr 2007
  • Russian Tortoise - substrates, by Joe Heinen
  • Tortoise Trust - Understanding vivarium substrates, by A.C. Highfield
  • Tortoise Trust - Understanding microclimates in captivity, by A.C. Highfield
  • VA Reptile Rescue - How to choose substrate for your herptile, by Bonnie Keller
  • WCT - Turtle and Tortoise Substrates, by Chris Tabaka DVM, 2003

Indoor lighting & heating

  • ATP - Guide to UV-B Lighting, by Richard Lunsford, 2005
  • Arcadia - Video: The study of UV Reptile Lighting by Francis Baines, Mar 2012
  • Herp Care Collection - Lighting and heating for reptiles, by Melissa Kaplan, Apr 2007
  • Reptile Channel - Reptile Lighting Information; by Frances M. Baines, MA, VetMB, MRCVS, Jun 2009
  • Reptile UV Info - scientific studies, comparison studies, disputed studies, etc.
  • Solartech - Solarmeter 6.2
  • Testudo.cc - UV-lamps for terrariums: Their spectral characteristics and efficiency in promoting vitamin D3 synthesis by UVB irradiation; D3 Yield Index; by Jukka Lindgren, FI
  • Tortoise Trust - Understanding reptile lighting systems, by A.C. Highfield, Aug 2008
  • Tortoise Trust Forum - How much UVB exposure, Aug 2011
  • Tortoise Trust Forum - Major new research on basking lamps; interesting infra-red thermography images showing how tortoises warm up, sun vs basking bulbs, Jul 2012
  • UV Guide UK - Special Report: A problem with some of the new high UVB output fluorescent compact lamps and tubes; some reptiles developed photo-kerato-conjunctivitis due to abnormally high UV; symptoms include lethargy, closed eyes, swollen eyelids, peeling skin; 2007-2009 (Note: new compact bubs have been re-formulated, e.g. Zoomed and Zilla; buy the latest versions, don't buy old stock)
  • UV Guide UK - Using the Solarmeter 6.2 UVB meter
  • UVB Meter Owners - yahoo discussion group, testing UVB sources for reptiles with Solarmeter 6.2
  • Note: There have been several problems with mercury vapor bulbs (MVB) recently. See the recall info on the UV Guide UK site (Mar 2010). See also their MVB page for the latest on MVB's. However, their UV bulb pages are currently being overhauled. Updated pages with current info should be up by late 2010.

Indoor humidity

  • About.com - Exotic Pets, How to Calibrate a Hygrometer, by Lianne McLeod, DVM

Indoor fire safety

  • Cause of duplex fire linked to tortoise's pen - "... likely started in a wooden enclosure for a pet tortoise. ... a heating pad in the pen might have ignited hay in the enclosure." (abc, Oct 2008)
  • Fire in tortoise room - "... electrical cords from the lights was smoldering and a piece of wood I was using to keep the lamp anchored to was on fire." (Tortoise Forum, Jan 2012)
  • Pet tortoise sets house on fire - "Fred piled her dry straw under the lamp and it caught alight, spreading flames through the house." (The Sun, Feb 2008)
  • Pet tortoise sparks fire - "[sulcata tortoise] tipped over his tank, which sent its heat lamp crashing to the floor and ignited a pile of art supplies." (New York Post, Mar 2011)
  • Tortoise starts fire - "It was the tortoise [Crush] who appeared to be the culprit knocking over the heat lamp." (nbc26, Jul 2009)
  • Tortoises' heating pad blamed for garage fire - " ... it appears an electrical malfunction in the heating pad caused the blaze." (The Sacramento Bee, Feb 2012)

Outdoor enclosures

  • AZ Game & Fish Dept - instructions for building above and below ground burrows for captive desert tortoises
  • Egyptian Tortoise - folding, protected outdoor pen on wheels
  • Graeca Home - large outdoor greenhouse setup for cold climates; text in German but with many photos; see also the construction photo page
  • Michael`s Schildkrötenseite - landscaped outdoor pen with a greenhouse and netting cover; text in German but with many photos
  • Reptile Channel - How to Build a Basic Outdoor Tortoise Pen, by Chuck Schaffer
  • RFUK - UK bb, pics of outdoor enclosures
  • Russian Tortoise - A heated deckbox, by J Heinen
  • Shelled Warriors - UK bb, lots of photos of outdoor enclosures
  • Slowcoach - heated outdoor tortoise shed by Bob Elliot, UK
  • Tortoise Forum - US bb, housing a 100 lb sulcata, pics
  • Tortoise Forum - US bb, building a heater outdoor house for sulcatas, step-by-step pics
  • Tortoise Forum - US bb, a very simple outdoor enclosure for a small tortoise made from a plastic kiddie pool
  • Tortoise Forum - US bb, underground cave built from wood
  • Tortoise Trust - Designing high quality outdoor habitats for tortoises, by A.C. & Nadine Highfield
  • Tortoise Trust - UK bb, example of how ready-made sandboxes or raised garden kits can be used as a pen
  • Tortoise Trust - UK bb, a wooden enclosure with a wire mesh lid
  • Tortoise Trust - UK bb, a walk-in tortoise enclosure, totally screened in
  • Tortoise Trust - UK bb, how color of gravel (gray, red, beige) affects its temperature in a sunny location, by A.C. Highfield, 2011
  • Turtle Tails - secure outdoor enclosure for babies
  • Turtle Times - bb message, step-by-step photos of building a shallow Box turtle or tortoise pond
  • Turtle Town - building an outdoor garden for Box Turtles
  • World Chelonian Trust - A Secure Habitat, by Darrell Senneke

Natural habitats

  • BBC - Turtles prefer the 'city life', by Jody Bourton, Oct 2009; Excerpt: "...scientists have found a turtle that does better in a suburban habitat than it does in nature reserves."
  • Tortoise Trust - UK bb, humidity and pyramiding discussion, incl. observations of humidity in natural habitats in Spain, by Highfield, Feb 2010
  • Tortoise Trust - UK bb, field data on humid microclimates (average humidity: air <30%, in grass 33-35%, in soil 55%), Greek tortoises in Spain, by Highfield, Apr 2010
  • Tortoise Trust - UK bb, habitat photos with temperature and humidity (<22% in hides) readings, Spain, by Highfield, by Highfield, Jun 2010
  • Tortoise Trust - UK bb, April to July habitat changes (from green & luscious to dry & barren), Spain, Jul 2010
  • Tortoise Trust - UK bb, habitat photos after rain (tortoises were active even during the night), Spain, Aug 2010

Outdoor safety - tortoise thefts

  • Chicago Tribune - Stolen tortoise returned to pet shop, Jul 2011
  • Daily Mail - Who is running off with Britain's tortoises? Record numbers vanish in mystery crimewave, Jul 2011, UK
  • Der Westen - Diebe klauen zwei wertvolle tropische Schildkröten aus dem Zoo Duisburg, tortoises stolen from Duisburg Zoo, Germany, Jun 2011
  • PeoplePets - Tortoise heist! Stolen turtle is returned to rightful owner, Aug 2009, UK
  • The Sun - CSI tortoises: Cops call in forensic experts over pet theft, May 2011, UK
  • Telegraph - Lock up your tortoises – and watch them with CCTV, May 2010, UK
  • Ventura County Star - African [60-80 lb sulcata] tortoises reported stolen from the yard, Jan 2011
  • WPTZ - Man seeks stolen tortoise taken from secluded shed, Apr 2010

Disease prevention

Misc. tortoise topics

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Due to lack of time and the large number of links, this page will NOT be checked for dead links anymore. Sorry. Use at your own risk. :O)

 

6.) Links - Angulate Tortoise

Chersina angulata

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angulate tortoise

Angulate tortoise (Chersina angulata)

Caution

These offsite links are NOT intended as an endorsement. I am not familiar with most of these breeders, businesses, individuals, or the quality of their animals and/or products.

Most of these links, i.e., their page contents, have NOT been verified for accuracy. These links are included merely for the convenience of obtaining more information about the Angulate tortoise. As always, do your own homework!

Profiles & caresheets

  • Arkive - Angulate tortoise
  • AZ Online - Die Afrikanische Schnabelbrustschildkröte (German)
  • Behler Chelonian Center - BCC, Angulate tortoise captive breeding program in California, species info
  • BIAZA - British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums, TorTool, basic information on all aspects of husbandry for 44 tortoise species, Jul 2009
  • Cape Nature - Angulate tortoise
  • The Care Center - Chersina angulata care, by Misty Corton, South Africa
  • Cherepahi.ru - Южноафриканская клювогрудая, Черепаха-бушприт (Russian)
  • CITES - species identification manual; choose 'fauna, species, group reptilia, C. angulata'
  • Club Teknőstartók - Csőrösmellű teknős (Hungarian)
  • Euzelva.cz - Chersina angulata: Primadona jižní Afriky - Želva výběžkovitá, rytířská (Czech)
  • FL Museum of Natural History - brief description
  • Honolulu Zoo - Bowsprit tortoise
  • Info Tortuga - Tortuga angulada (Spanish)
  • IUCN/SSC - Chersina angulata, by Margaretha Hofmeyr, Oct 2009 (download the pdf file for a more extensive paper)
  • Oudtshoorn - Western Cape, Angulate tortoise, Rooipens
  • Portál SvětŽelv - želva rytířská (in Czech)
  • Reptile Channel - South Africa Tortoises, by Karl Switak
  • Saint Louis Zoo - South African Bowsprit Tortoise
  • Scarce - Angulate tortoise, by Ernst Baard
  • SIGS - Schildkröten-Interessengemeinschaft Schweiz, Bemerkungen zur Zucht der Afrikanischen Schnabelbrustschildkröte by Jasser-Häger & Philippen, Testudo 2003 Nr 2 (pdf, German)
  • Tarta Club Italia - Chersina angulata (Italian)
  • Testudines.org - Especie: Chersina angulata (Spanish)
  • Testudomaniac - La tortue angulée (French)
  • Turtles of the World - Chersina angulata; by Ernst, Altenburg, Barbour
  • WCT - World Chelonian Trust, Differentiating Male and Female Chersina angulata, by Chris Tabaka DVM

Misc. pages

  • Catalogue of Life - taxonomic tree, 2009 checklist, Chersina angulata
  • Chelonian Research Foundation - Turtle and Tortoise Newsletter, United States Import and Export of Live Turtles and Tortoises 1989-1997
  • The Cold Blooded News - Rare Two-headed Tortoise Found in South Africa
  • European Studbook Foundation - Chersina angulata, 1999-2009
  • JVDI - Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, Dermatophilosis in captive tortoises, by Bemis, Patton & Ramsay, 1999; Excerpt: "Bowsprit and Egyptian tortoises are primarily dry habitat animals, prolonged exposure to an abnormally wet environment may have been a predisposing factor."
  • The Herald - New threat to tortoises as healers use them to ward off evil spirits
  • Hermanus Botanical Society - Hermanus is located 72 miles (120 km) east of Cape Town, Herbs #79, May 2006
  • INTERPOL - Wildlife Crime Working Group of the international police organization, newsletter #58, Syndicates stripping Cape of flora and fauna (item #42), by Jason Warner, Jul 2009
  • ISIS - International Species Information System, lists ISIS member institutions with Angulate tortoises
  • MET - Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Namibia, Checklist and provisional conservation status of Namibian reptiles
  • NMMU - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, SA, study of oxygen consumption and metabolic rate in Angulate tortoises, Jul 2011
  • SA Reptiles - SA bb, Indigenous chelonians, search for "angulate tortoise" for posts and photos
  • Shoreline - Dassen Island and Angulate tortoises
  • TSA - Turtle Survival Alliance, e-news; for example, the 2007 (first Angulate tortoise hatchling, BCC) and 2009 magazines (change to succulent diet, BCC) have bits of info on Angulate tortoises
  • UWC - University of the Western Cape, South Africa, Chelonian Biodiversity and Conservation program, list of papers by Margaretha Hofmeyr, e.g. Genetic variation (2003)
  • Veterinary Pathology - Intranuclear Coccidiosis in Tortoises: Nine Cases, by Garner et al., 2006

Abstracts

  • Bio One - abstracts (free) and articles (for a fee) from journals, e.g. African Zoology (AZ) and Journal of Herpetology (JoH); AZ: Sexual disparity in activity patterns and time budgets of angulate tortoises on Dassen Island (2006); JoH: Activity patterns of the Angulate tortoise on Dassen Island (2002); JoH: Egg Production in Chersina angulata: An Unusual Pattern in a Mediterranean Climate (2004); JoH: Seasonal and Site Variation in Angulate Tortoise Diet and Activity (2010)
  • cat.inist - abstract, South African Journal of Science: Seasonal changes in the vegetation of island and mainland habitats of angulate tortoises in the Western Cape, South Africa; by Joshua, Hofmeyr, Henen, Weitz; 2005
  • The Desert Tortoise Council - abstract, The Role of Tortoises in the Thicket Biome, South Africa; by Kerley, Mason, Weatherby; 1998
  • Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine - abstract, A Novel Herpesvirus of the Proposed Genus Chelonivirus from an Asymptomatic Bowsprit Tortoise, Jun 2010 issue
  • PubMed - Chersina angulata related abstracts
  • ResearchGate - Chersina angulata related abstracts
  • Sabinet - abstract, Genetic variation in three Chersina angulata populations along the west coast of South Africa; by Lesia, Hofmeyr, D'Amato, 2003
  • University of Johannesburg - abstract, Biodiversity and systematics of apicomplexan parasites infecting South African leopard and hinged tortoises, Mar 2010
  • Wiley Interscience - abstract, Journal of Zoology: Shaping up to fight, sexual selection influences body shape and size in the fighting tortoise; by Mann, O'Riain, Hofmeyr; 2006

Books

  • see the Angulate books page

Blogs

Photos

Videos

Nature, parks, maps

  • Addo Elephant National Park - has Angulates
  • Cape Nature - map of nature reserves
  • City of Cape Town - list of nature reserves owned or managed by the city, e.g. Macassar
  • Dassen Island - west coast, South Africa (e.g. climate, plants, reptiles)
  • EIC - The Cape Floristic Region Hotspot, has Angulates
  • EOE - The Encyclopedia of Earth, Montane fynbos and Renosterveld form part of the Cape Floristic Region
  • PlantZAfrica - plants native to southern Africa
  • SANBI - Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, Cape fynbos region, has Angulate tortoises
  • SANBI - Wildlife and Biodiversity of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (part of the Cape Floristic Region protected area)
  • SANParks - national parks in South Africa; several parks have Angulates, e.g. Addo, Namaqua, Table Mtn, West Coast
  • SARCA - Southern African Reptile Conservation Assessment, Western Cape Province field trip, photos of fynbos and bushweld
  • SARCA - Virtual Museum, species distribution maps, choose "Chersina angulata" from the drop-down menu

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Due to lack of time and the large number of links, this page will NOT be checked for dead links anymore. Sorry. Use at your own risk. :O)

 

7.) Links - Fecal exams

Direct smears & fecal floats

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supplies for fecal float exam

Supplies for fecal exams

First

To start, read the DIY Fecal Exams page for instructions on how to perform gross exams, direct smears, and fecal floats.

There are many pages on the web about performing fecal float tests on animal poop and identifying microscopic parasites, but it's hard to find tortoise specific exam info online.

Caution

These offsite links are NOT intended as an endorsement. I am not familiar with most of these breeders, businesses, individuals, or the quality of their animals and/or products.

Most of these links, i.e., their page contents, have NOT been verified for accuracy. These links are included merely for the convenience of obtaining more information about parasites and fecal exams. As always, do your own homework!

Fecal exams - tortoises

  • Care Center - fecal tests for tortoises, choose 'Fecals for beginners' from the menu, by Misty Corton, ZA
  • Microscope Forums - bb message, analysis of tortoise poo
  • Testudo Welt - online tortoise magazine, issue 7 (Ausgabe 7), Kotanalysen unter dem Mikroskop, DE
  • Tiny Tortoises - fecal sample examination, GB
Fecal exams - other
  • Anapsid - Fecal exams, reptiles, by Stephen Barten DVM
  • CAPC - Companion Animal Parasite Council, the "Scoop on Poop" fecal exam demonstration video
  • CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, parasitic diseases in humans, e.g. Giardiasis, pinworms
  • CDC - DPDx, Laboratory identifcation of parasites of public health concern, incl. a photo library of parasites in humans
  • CDC - zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted to humans from animals)
  • Penn Veterinary Medicine - instructions for using Fecalyzer
  • Penn Veterinary Medicine - artifacts on fecal slides, objects sometimes mistaken for parasite eggs
  • Pet Informed - fecal float parasite photos, misc. animals, incl. photos of non-parasites, by Dr Shauna O'Meara, 2008
  • Yamanouchi Iguana Laboratory - Fecal exams, by Marie Eguro, 1999

Internal parasites - tortoises

  • British Chelonia Group - Faecal Parasites in Tortoises, by Kevin Eatwell, 2007
  • British Chelonia Group - Preliminary observations on parasites of captive Star tortoises (G. elegans) in Sri Lanka, 2004
  • Care Center - Understanding Worms and Protozoa, by Misty Corton, ZA
  • Pet Education - Common Internal Parasites in Turtles and Tortoises, by Drs Foster & Smith
  • Tortoise Land - Tortoise Parasites, by Yasushi & Akiko Mori, Japanese translated to English by Google translator (be sure the click on the blue links on the top of the page for detailed parasite info & pics, except the first 3 links)
  • Tortoise Land - Tortoise Parasites, original Japanese text
  • Tortoise Trust - Protozoan infections in Chelonians, GB

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8.) Links - Radiated tortoise

Astrochelys [Geochelone] radiata

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Radiated tortoise

Radiated tortoise

  • Animal Diversity - Univgersity of Michian Museum of Zoology, Geochelone radiata
  • Arkive - Radiated tortoise, Geochelone radiata
  • BBC News - Madagascar's tortoise mafia on the attack, by Hannah McNeish, Jun 2011
  • Blue Cameleon - Madagascar tortoise tour
  • CTTC - A Review of the Captive Breeding Program for the Radiated Tortoise at the NYZS's Wildlife Survival Center, by John L. Behler & John Iaderosa, 1991
  • Info Tortuga - Astrochelys radiata, in Spanish
  • IUCN Red List - Astrochelys radiata, critically endangered, 2008 list
  • JCVI - taxonomy
  • National Geographic - Extinction nears for Madagascar's radiated tortoise, Apr 2010
  • TSA - Turtle Survival Alliance, Radiated Tortoises at a Critical Crossroads, Mar 2010
  • TSA - Radiated tortoise expedition to Madagascar, video posted Jul 2010
  • WCS - Wildlife Conservation Society, Tortoises Approach Final Finish Line, Excerpt: "...predict the killing of these reptiles for meat and the pet trade will drive radiated tortoises to extinction within 20 years", Apr 2010
  • WCT - caresheet, by Chris Tabaka DVM & Darrell Senneke

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Due to the large number of links and lack of time, this page will NOT BE CHECKED FOR DEAD LINKS anymore. Sorry. I do still occasionally add a few new links, though. Also, I will gladly remove any dead links if you alert me about them. :O)
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