Kay Burns

(West Lothian)

I first heard of Arnie from my sister, she works in Lamond Veterinary Clinic at Murieston. The SSPCA had a couple of sick tortoises and had brought them in for treatment. They said they had another tortoise needing homed.  Just in conversation on the phone my sister told me of the tortoises, I thought this Horsfield tortoise sounded great. He was quite a wriggler.

A few weeks later I was in Edinburgh with some spare time and decided to take a trip up to Balerno Animal Rescue Centre to take a look at the wee man. It was love at first sight (for me anyway). 

I had to wait for a licence to be organized, so that gave me time to get the vivarium ready. Arnie is not your regular garden tortoise, he can burrow to about 20feet.  The Horsfield is originally from Afganistan or Russia and spends most of the year burrowed, away from the intense heat or cold.  I needed to purchase a heat pad and lamp a vitamin D light thermostat etc. A vitamin supplement it sprinkled on his food everyday, along with some Cuttlefish.

His favourite food is Dandelions, so in the summer I have to go out picking them, they seem in short supply at the moment so I have now decided to grow my own.

Arnie’s behaviour changed recently, he was sleeping in the cooler part of the viv.  This worried me so I went looking for answers.  I emailed Jim who recommended a vet in Falkirk, Alistair Lawrie, this vet gave me fantastic advice and Arnie a clean bill of health (much to my relief). At the moment he is slowing down for Winter (I prefer to do this than hiberate him).

Arnie is now part of the family and has pride of place in the livingroom.

Kay