A week ago, I "adopted" an unwanted spur-thighed tortoise. She's approx. 2 years old and for the last year has been kept in a rabbit cage, without proper access to sunlight / heat / water

Since Wednesday she's had a Exo Terra sun-simulator lamp and I've added topsoil, bought a water dish and have started introducing new green foods, i.e. campanula / romaine lettuce (not ideal I know).  I'm also starting to grow my own weeds.  She was given Komodo dandelion flavour pellets but hasn't touched these so I don't offer them any more.

What concerns me is that she's lost 5g since last Sunday.  She now weighs 167g and is 9.5cm long.  Is this okay?  Her shell looks in good condition, considering her history.   She may have pooped after I weighed her last week which I know can make a difference. 

I have noticed a huge difference in her in only a week, she's more active now she has the lamp and does enjoy her food.  Any advice greatly appreciated.

I think I've added a photo! Here's Tilly aka Til-Pot.

Hi and

Sounds like she was lucky to find you!! 5g is easily gone after doing the necessaries.. so I wouldn't worry about that. You say she is a spur thigh? did you get a certificate with her? I wonder if you could post some more photo's of the spurs and the plastron (underneath)
Hope not too many questions, don't want to put you off
Thanks
Jane

Hi there, what a wonderful beast you have!

She is a very pale individual, and has a great shell and good bright eyes. As Jane suggests, more photos needed really. She may be what is known as a Golden Greek. These dont't actually live in Greece, but are local variants found in various hot parts of the world. I googled golden greek and found a good article by the Tortoise Trust.  www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/golden.htm  this link should get you there. We have to ascertain she is not a very young Sulcata...admit I have never seen one myself. If she is Sulcata, the North African Spurred tortoise then care will be quite different. Get those photos on on tail, back legs and undershell, and we will be able to help more. As for 5g loss, that is not significant on her weight, though I would be proud it it was me. I need to lose 5kg!!!

Regards, David nr York

Hi Jane,
Thanks for your reply. She's sleeping at the moment but will try to get some better photos asap (although I don't like turning her upside down!!)

I didn't get a certificate, she was "found in a shoebox at the side of the road by a lorry driver". So her history is really unknown, but she came to me via an ex-policeman so I have to believe her story.

Hi David,
Thank you for replying. She does look pale in the photo so I have uploaded a couple more in a different light, where her shell does look darker.

I'll get better photos asap. I've heard of Sulcata's but never heard of Golden Greek so I'll have a peek at the article. Thanks for the info.

Forgot to say, so glad 5g is insignificant!! 5kg? Easy, just balance on one leg when on the scales!

Ok, I've been mean and woken her, but a little worried in case she's a Sulcata!
If it helps, she has four "toes" on her back legs and five on her front. And I'm hoping she's also a She!

Hi there. She ( I think ) is a lovely torty.

Hello again...shell of graeca, pale shell of Golden Greek. Check previous link given.

Looks as though she has had good care to give her that lovely smooth shell. Or she has been smuggled in!

Anyone throw more light on the situation? I will contact some other keepers for their advice/opinions.

David nr York

Hi David,

I did wonder whether she was an illegal immigrant! She was found in a prominent layby in this country, so we believe whoever left her, wanted her to be found quickly.

Her previous owners have had her for at least a year and were told she was a year old when they first got her.

I think she's lovely too but I guess I could be biased !

I had a quick look at the link last night but will read it properly today.
Thanks again
Sharon

Hi Folks
Going with David on the Golden Greek, only reservation I have is that the gular is not forked which they normally are? I would not hibernate this little lady until everyone is happy on the id. She is so gorgeous, I bet you feel so lucky to have her.
I will go away and do some ground work as well, happy hunting everyone. 
Jane  

Hi Jane
Thanks for replying. Yes, I feel very lucky to have her and am besotted!
I don't ever want her to hibernate as I'll miss her, but I may feel differently when she's 50 and I'm 86 !