Tortoise and the bunnies (update+pics)

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This topic has 28sd replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 14 years ago by Dextervonbon.

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- 03/27/2011 at 8:53 AM
  Kate Monster
  Participant
  550 posts
  I have no idea if anyone would have any idea the answer to this question, but someone might! My boyfriend has a Russian Tortoise, obviously he’s almost always in a terrarium, but sometimes he has to be out for cleaning. Should I worry about any danger to bunnies? Obviously I don’t exactly let them play together, I’m not sure how well he’d take a bunny kick the shell. lol. I just wonder if there are any diseases, bacteria, etc that could be passed on to bunnies by a reptile?
- 03/27/2011 at 9:02 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  Probably salmonella. I’m not sure what else. I would keep them separate at all times.
- 03/27/2011 at 11:26 AM
  KatnipCrzy
  Participant
  2981 posts
  I agree with Beka- Salmonella is a risk to all humans handling reptiles and hand washing is always recommended after handling. Bunnies groom themselves so often- that they would ingest the Salmonella if they were exposed. So not a good idea to have any possible contact or shared space.
- 03/27/2011 at 12:56 PM
  brittbritt
  Participant
  542 posts
  I’m a member of a very pro adoption website called guinealynx.com that is all about guinea pigs. There is a lady who has a very beautiful tortis named Lois and she may be able to help answer any questions you may have about having both. She was fostering a pair of buns and Lois does come out and about quite often. Her user name is Feylin and you can do a forum search to find threads on Lois.
- 03/27/2011 at 5:53 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17103 posts
  Doesn’t the danger of salmonella depend on what the tortoise is being fed?
- 03/27/2011 at 6:00 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17103 posts
  Okay, I googled it. I guess tortoises pose less of a risk of having salmonella because they live on dry land and they are vegetarians. Other reptiles get salmonella from swimming around in dirty water or from eating raw meat that is infected. Not saying that you shouldn’t be cautious, but I think reptiles have gotten a pretty bad reputation over the whole salmonella thing.
- 03/27/2011 at 6:47 PM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  I also have the idea that tortoises can bite very hard, so even if the bunny didn’t catch a disease per se, if the tortoise catches the bunny, it could hurt or be a pretty nasty wound.
- 03/27/2011 at 9:00 PM
  Kate Monster
  Participant
  550 posts
  Not to worry, they would never be out at the same time. The tortoise has yet to bite anyone, even when being picked up so I don’t worry so much about that. But I DO worry that a bunny might freak out at the intruder and kick the tortoise. I’m more concerned with the possibility of the tortoise leaving behind some germs that the bunnies can catch.
- 03/28/2011 at 6:48 AM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  You know, that’s the kind of question that you can just call your vet’s office, ask and ask her to get back to you with information. It doesn’t require an appointment but pertains to your pet’s health. A vet probably knows off the top of her head. I think she’d be happy to answer, free of charge of course.
- 03/28/2011 at 7:10 AM
  Kate Monster
  Participant
  550 posts
  That’s probably a good idea Pam, I’ll do that. And I’ll tell my boyfriend to call his vet for the tortoise, just to make sure that we have consensus from everyone’s perspective!
- 03/30/2011 at 1:00 AM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  Let us know what the vet says. I’d be interested to know— as I know zilch about tortoises
- 03/30/2011 at 12:24 PM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  Now, BB, you know they win races against bunnies.
- 03/30/2011 at 12:30 PM
  GrumpyBun
  Participant
  643 posts
  Posted By RabbitPam on 03/30/2011 12:24 PM
  Now, BB, you know they win races against bunnies.
  
  *cough* That was a hare. Ahem.
- 03/30/2011 at 12:57 PM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  Don’t you mean hare of the dog? LOL
- 03/30/2011 at 4:21 PM
  Kate Monster
  Participant
  550 posts
  Well I was told that tortoises are less likely to carry salmonella than other reptiles like turtles because it comes from their digestive systems, and usually spreads to their entire bodies when they poop in the water and swim in it, which tortoises don’t really do. I was also told that lots of animals can carry it, including cats and dogs and basic cleaning procedures that one would implement in any multi-species house is a good idea. Basically, as he’s not a reptile specialist, he didn’t want to commit to saying it’s not a problem if the tortoise is occassionally in the same place, but didn’t want to emphatically say that it’s a huge problem either. He said ideally, they shouldn’t be, but if it happens to make sure the tortoise doesn’t say, climb in their food and if he poops to make sure that it’s cleaned up with something that will kill the bacteria. I was also told that a vet specializing in reptiles might be able to test him for it, so I’m going to make my boyfriend take him if it’s not too cost prohibitive. We’ll be living in seperate places for about three years starting this august, so that gives him plenty of time to see if he can get that done and in the meantime we’ll just be careful but without stressing out to an extreme.
  
  Hajji Bektash tells me that he’s jealous of how much time I spend taking pictures of bunnies and posting them so that people can see how cute they are. So here’s a couple of the Hajjster for good measure.
  
  Eating (perhaps smoking) a yummy green leaf.
  
  ROAR! I am a tiny dinosaur!
- 03/30/2011 at 5:33 PM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  He’s adorable!!!!!!!!!!! Love the roar.
  
  We have a rescue here in S. Florida that specializes in huge tortoises from the ocean, and I had the best time watching one eat a dish of mixed salad one day. Who knew?
- 03/30/2011 at 6:29 PM
  KatnipCrzy
  Participant
  2981 posts
  How big…or more like how small is he??? He is so cute. At least our pets have something in common- love of lettuce!
- 03/30/2011 at 7:05 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Roar!
  
  We had a member posting from China here last year. He (Lancy) was very knowledgeable on tortoises and was a biologist/teacher I believe. Also, another member recently posted pics of their bun+ tortoises. They might have some more info to share in relation to bunnies and tortoises if you wish to send a PM. https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx
- 03/30/2011 at 8:01 PM
  Kate Monster
  Participant
  550 posts
  Heh, I do enjoy that I have completely vegan pets. And they are all hilarious when they eat! And Hajji is about 4-5 inches long I believe. He’s pretty small, the ladies are generally bigger.
  And thanks jerseygirl! I remember seeing those pictures but for the life of my I couldn’t remember from what thread!
- 03/30/2011 at 9:34 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  OMG Cute!!! How old is he-and how old will he live? A lady at work was sharing that her toroise is young-at 23 or so… WOW!
- 03/31/2011 at 3:09 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  He is so cute! I’m glad you were able to get some vet guidance.
- 03/31/2011 at 4:41 AM
  Kate Monster
  Participant
  550 posts
  K&K, I’m not sure how old he is, he’s supposed to be pretty young though, less than five years. And they can live up to fifty years!
- 03/31/2011 at 5:34 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  He’s beautiful!
- 03/31/2011 at 6:00 AM
  brittbritt
  Participant
  542 posts
  Please tell him he is a very handsome tortoise. *wolf whistle*
- 03/31/2011 at 11:45 PM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  OH….Hajji should never feel upset again about all the attention being on the bunnies. That adorable “Roar” photo sticks in my mind. So FUNNY. I love it. Tortoise hugs to Hajji!
- 04/01/2011 at 6:23 PM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
- 04/02/2011 at 5:20 AM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  Cute!!! I think tortoises are quite adorable. My Mom’s friend has one and she always brings it over for visits. When I first picked one up I couldn’t believe how heavy she was! She freaks out if you call her “a turtle”. I think it’s hilarious that they named her “Lily Bird”.
  
  Are they full grown at age 5?
- 04/02/2011 at 5:42 AM
  Kate Monster
  Participant
  550 posts
  LOL Pam.
  Haha, my boyfriend gets that way when people call Hajji a turtle too. Lily Bird is an awesome and very funny name for a tortoise! They are much heavier than they look. I think that he could possible grow just a little bit more, but I think he’s mostly done.
- 04/03/2011 at 7:27 PM
  Dextervonbon
  Participant
  282 posts
  awww I always wanted one! My friend had a red footed tortoise named Bob and it was so sweet and huge
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