Readers Letters

Article Submitted August 2008

One of our UK breeders went away on vacation and her tortoise sitter presented her with this diary of events on her return.  The breeder thought you might like to read it.

Diary of a Holiday Tortoise Sitter

Hi A……,

I do hope the holiday went well, and that S……….. enjoyed his birthday.  It’s been quite exciting here whilst you’ve been away!

Four babies hatched between Monday and Thursday and all are well.   There are now six hatchlings in the Baby Unit, and all have been bathed regularly.

 Upstairs tortoise tinies - no problems

 Tortoises in box on legs in garden - no problems.

 C…. is fine, but she hid from me once, and as a result, spent Thursday night in the garden.  Otherwise, she was very good - she does enjoy a cuddle, doesn’t she?

 P…… was waiting to go back at tea-time on the day you left, so she has been with the Biggies ever since.

 Torty Biggies

Wednesday was very hot and sultry.  At 8.30 a.m. T…… (I think) was upside down.  She seemed 0.K.  I fed them all as usual and at 3pm I glanced over the wall - there had been a mass break-out!  There were tortoises everywhere!  I was just off shopping, so I left them till I got home and at around 4pm went over to shore up the “breach”.  They had evidently tunnelled, and then pushed the green fencing up a good 8”.  Six were left in the greenhouse, fast asleep.  I found all but three, and returned them.  One turned up safely the following morning.  The other two -- females -- were on the bank -laying!  Help! I didn’t know whether it was for real, so kept my distance, not wanting to stress them.  Presumably it was the females who had staged the break-out.

 I rang J….. for advice, but her answer phone only gave me the telephone number which you had left me, for L…... and so I rang L…...  She was very good and I followed her advice.  Please thank her again for me.  L….. was surprised that they were laying so late in the evening and said maybe it wasn’t for real! 

She was wrong!

 At about 6pm T…… (?) ambled off and I gave her some food and returned her to the enclosure and she seemed fine.  Then I was unsure which “scrape” she had occupied.  Thus the additional diggings on the bank!  Eventually, I discovered her eggs.  There were seven and I broke one and I’m so sorry.  They were very deep and it was now raining steadily.  The brown ants nest which T...... had disturbed produced dozens of angry creatures who ran up my hands and arms and bit me repeatedly!  The rain got heavier, the eggs and I were very muddy.  I tried to keep them warm while I found a tray and filled it with ver- what’s its name?  By juggling the boxes around in the upstairs incubator, I managed to fit in the six eggs.  I had to move the last of the “likely to hatch” eggs into the other box.  I’m not sure now if that one subsequently hatched, or not, -  I had begun to lose the plot!

 Meanwhile down in the garden, the other smaller female was just finishing laying her eggs.  It was after 6.30 p.m. and she declined food but set off happily enough to join her friends.  I located 6 eggs this time (I do hope I got them all it’s not easy is it)?  Unfortunately, she must have broken one herself, as the ants were already eating it - as well as me!  I found another tray and wondered what on earth to do with them as the incubator was full.  I went to your other incubator in the garage and decided that I would have to squeeze them in there somehow.  I tried to leave it as I found it, and do hope that the disturbance hasn’t adversely affected the other eggs.

 I did not attempt to wash or date the eggs as I was so frightened of damaging them.  I have left the two clutches of eggs separately boxed, and have the put the date laid on a piece of paper inside the tray.

 Mediums

On the first Saturday morning they were all missing!  I found them, made some alterations to the defences and returned them.  On Monday morning, the two smaller ones were missing again and the remaining animal was very upset.  Again found them and returned them.  On Wednesday morning the same two were out again.  I found the little one but the middle-sized one, with a plaster on his shell, eluded me, and I had to leave him out all night -  but he turned up next morning.  He seems fine, but must have been around during the “break-out”.  I just hope that he made no unsuitable liaisons!

 I do hope all the eggs are all OK.  Please do give me a ring this evening if you are not too exhausted.

 Also, l am worried that one of the small female Biggies is still wanting to lay.  She had dug in deep to the bank from where I moved her on the day of the “break-out”.  She had not started, but has remained restless in the enclosure ever since.  I was worried that if she were to lay, I would not know where to place the eggs.  So again I do hope she will be OK.

I trust this makes sense!

 A very big welcome home 

Cheers J…..

Weed Poem

For as long as I can remember you’ve been hiding here and there

Tucked away amongst the flower beds without mercy, pride or care

you’ve smothered little seedlings, overcrowded sunny spots

The only place you couldn’t reach were within the higher pots

I never saw you growing, I’m sure you popped up overnight

I never gave you plant food, nor water out of spite

But here you are again once more on show for all to see

With golden crowns and glossy leaves looking right up back at me

But guess who will have the last laugh, I’ve got myself a mate

Who loves all the little squatting weeds, the ones I used to hate

For now your golden crowns are lunch, your leaves for supper time

I’ve found your place in my back yard, what once was yours is mine

Please sow your seeds and multiply, be big, be strong ,be proud

I’ve learnt to love your little heads popping up amongst the crowds

For now you will be torti food, your fate for being there

Tucked away amongst the flower beds without mercy, pride or care

Sharon Brooks