I was in Tinley over Valentines day for the Summit and show there.
The charity auction was Saturday night and I was there, ready to get a good deal on something (grin). Suddenly Brian Potter (auctioneer) held up this hingeback tort and announced it had been found wandering the show. He also stated that since the show was a captive bred only show he seriously doubted that the person who lost it would claim it again, and the animal went into the auction.
I ended up with him, what a pitiful little thing he is. Very thin and lightweight, but after a good soak or two he has started to turn around already. He is eating for me and getting adjusted to his new set up.
I love torts and have fostered some for rescue but never owned one before. I realize this is not the easiest starter tort choice but I will do the very best I can with him. I have been doing a ton of reading on them, talked to my herp vet about his set up, and he is scheduled for a check up and fecal this week. In the meantime, he is quarantined. My vet is a friend and she was also at the event, so he has been looked over by her already, just has not been to the office for his fecal, etc.
I am hoping some of you will have experience with these torts and can advise more on his feeding mostly. I am also curious about the need for UV lighting for him, since according to all I can find on them, they are not fond of light and only are active at early Dawn or Dusk. I currently have a fluorescent UV light on him.
Here is a photo of this yet unnamed, male Tort.