DS´s birthday surprise

[Freyja]

DS turns 11 today and guess what we got him? A russian tortoise.
Just to prevent any misunderstanding. This is by no means one of these pet gifts that people get rid of a few weeks later because they don´t have time for it.
DS has been interested in turtles/tortoises for approx. 5 years. In the beginning we thought it was just "one of those things", a fascination that would pass quickly. However, it has only grown.
We didn´t want to get him one earlier though, since we lived in Denmark and reptiles can not be imported back into Iceland, where we live now. So he has been waiting patiently, and to be honest, I think he had given up all hope of ever owning one.
Can´t wait to see his face when he sees it tomorrow

I´ve been doing most of my research on the internet (DS owns a few books on the subject), but if anyone of you guys have any tips regarding care of such creatures, please share them. We´ve never had turtles before.

Hugs
Freyja

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

no info here..but a very merry birthday to your DS!!!!!!

you have to tell us all about his reaction...i want to hear all about it..i love surprises!!

 

[mommytotwo]

I am not sure what the life span of the turtle that you had gotten for your son is, but my dad has a turtle that has been living now for more then 50 years, and it's one of those regular pet ones.
Hope your son enjoys his gift and has a Happy Birthday.

 

[disneynutt1225]

This website helped me immensely when I got my turtles (two red ear sliders). The people seem very knowledgable on the bulletin board and there are some great write ups on general care for turtles on there as well.

www.allturtles.com

HTH!

 

[Freyja]

Thanks every one for the well wishes and tips.

He got the tortoise this morning when he woke up. Obviously we couldn´t wrap his gift up, so we had placed it in its cage in the spare bedroom and placed a sheet over it. To start with we gave him a birthday card, wishing him a happy birthday, and saying that we hoped he would enjoy his gift for many,many, many years to come. I think he found that a bit odd.We then led him into the room and told him to uncover his present. Oh my, was that a happy and surprised birthday boy.

I asked him afterwards if he really hadn´t suspected anything, not even when he saw the light of the cage shine through the sheets, but he said he hadn´t. Said that he hadn´t even dared to hope for one.

He hasn´t picked a name yet. Is going to take some time to find the perfect name. This type of tortoise is expected to reach somewhere between 50 and 100 years of age, so it better be name he can live with for a looooong time.

Well, I´d better go check up on our newest family member.

Thanks again
Freyja

 

[mommytotwo]

How fun, he now has a buddy for life.