Wanna Meet The Real Pickles and Squirt?

Well, you’ve come to the right page.

When my son was only about 3, we learned he had asthma and allergies. Our pediatrician told us we couldn’t have any pets with fur, hair, or feathers. In 2005 we started this journey and a new found love for reptiles. Both my son and daughter picked out these really tiny red footed tortoises. Welcome to the family, Pickles and Squirt. Pickles is the boy tortoise and my son’s. Squirt is the girl tortoise and my daughter’s. They are both now 20 years old and can live for 50 years plus.

They each have their own terrarium. A terrarium is a glass enclosure (almost like a fish tank) designed to create a controlled, partially natural environment for reptiles that mimics their habitat as closely as possible. The material lining the bottom of the terrarium is a soft dirt like substrate to help keep things clean and humid. Artificial plants are placed throughout to provide hiding/sleeping spots and promote natural behaviors of exploration. Heat lamps are also used to add not only light but heat which is important for a tortoise. Tortoises (as most reptiles) are cold blooded which means they rely on external sources of heat to keep their body temperature in balance. A terrarium typically has a screened top to allow proper air flow and humidity control.

Pickles and Squirt have food and water dishes. They only drink water. They can drink through their mouth, but they can also absorb water through their skin on their neck, tail and legs, as well their shell. They mostly eat green leaf lettuce and love strawberries and raspberries. They will enjoy an occasional banana and some dried tortoise fruit and vegetable mix that is rehydrated when mixed with water. You may see a white object in the terrarium looking like a miniature surf board. Those are cuttlebones which provide a source of calcium and a way to keep their mouths (or beaks) and toe nails trimmed.

Pickles and Squirt think you are “Turtley” Awesome !