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Chat Week on Kingsnake.com ******************** Ask_Ed:> Welcome all to Kingsnake.com's 6th night of our 4th Annual Chat Week EJP: Ed the tortoise keepere par exalance EJP: minus the e. EJP: amyway.... EJP: hi Ask_Ed:> Tonight's Guest is Mr. Ed Pirog, topic is Tortise Husbandy..Ed has many years of experience w/both reptiles and now tortises Ask_Ed:> Ed, which is you fav tortise and which is a "prob-child?" EJP: tortoises have always been part of reptiles EJP: The redfoot is the favorite and the egyptian is the problem EJP: the pyxis have presented a challenge recently PHWyvern: This chat is being moderated. To ask Ed a question, please doubleclick on the name Ask_Ed in the chat room and post your question to him there. For IRCle folks highlight Ask_Ed and click MSG button.' Ask_Ed:> which breeding projects are you working on EJP: there's a geed number of folks loged on here. please jump in. Ask_Ed:> (Ed when you finish a response..could you type: next , please) EJP: The egyptians(always) leopards, some pyxis, greaca, and now redfoots.
EJP: got it
EJP: nexr
EJP: next
Ask_Ed:> How many tortoises do you currently maintain
EJP: 14 species next
Ask_Ed:> do you keep the outdoors or indoors
EJP: you really don't want me to list them do you. next
Ask_Ed:> how many animals do you currentley own and do you own anything besides repitles and amphibians
EJP: some are indoors and some are out. next
Ask_Ed:> What are your feelings on repropagation projects around the country. Are you involved with any? If so Which ones?
EJP: do you count the wife and kids? next
Ask_Ed:> How appropriate are tortoises as pets, sulcatas for example.
EJP: on the repropagation. i'm involved with the TSA turtle Survival alliance . that is a project geared to that. next
Ask_Ed:> How appropriate are tortoises as pets, sulcatas for example.
EJP: Tortoises including sulcatas, aldabras and galops are great pets as long as you can care for them properly. next
Ask_Ed:> A general question: This spring in Bedford Co., PA there were "fields full" of eastern box turtles according to relatives. Can turtles be overcrowded in any one area? Bad growing season there, do they hibernate early if not enough food?
EJP: Nature has a way of regulating itself . If the land can sustain the population that is what's right.
EJP: does that make sense? next
Ask_Ed:> when do sulcatas typically reach breeding age?
EJP: Size it the main factor. I know a guy who bred sulcatas at 2 to 3 years.
EJP: next
Ask_Ed:> I am currently incubating several clutches of Star trtoise eggs between 86 - 87. I am getting fluctuations throughout the day such as 86.2, 87.8, 86.9. Is this accpetable?
EJP: Yes if you want mixed sexes based on the data that is available. next
Ask_Ed:> w/the changing California herp laws..do you forsee any re: tortise/turtle keeping?
EJP: I don't understand the last question. next
Ask_Ed:> Have you ever had to deal with sulcatas suffering from pyramiding of the shell?
EJP: I've got one that came to me with a pyramided shell. I seems to be flattening out. next
Ask_Ed:> Sorry..meant do you forsee any restrictions for turtle/tortise keeping?
EJP: I don't see it and I don'tsee a reason why. next
Ask_Ed:> > Many people state that Geochelone Elegans is difficult to keep healthy in captivity. Do you agree?
EJP: If you key onto the right factors you can't kill them. next
Ask_Ed:> I had a desert tortoise... in the 1950's. My aunt and uncle ran a rescue. We had trouble keeping him in hibernation in the winter. Now that they are endangered, I am not sure I would try again, but if I ever do, what's the best way to keep them from coming out of hibernation too early.
EJP: it's like that with any tortoise. next
Ask_Ed:> Do you do any turtle rehabbing...of injured/sick turtles that is.
EJP: With desert tortoises they really don't truly hibernate. That is if there is a warm day they will be out and about.
EJP: If you keep them in an insulated box that maintains a cool temperature they will stay down. next
Ask_Ed:> Do you do any turtle rehabbing...of injured/sick turtles that is.
EJP: I don't do any turtle rehabbing but I do take in tortoises on an as need basis. next
Ask_Ed:> Could you elaborate on "keying in on the right factors" regarding G. Elegans?
EJP: As far as stars go if you keep them warm and dry there's not much you can do to kill them.
EJP: of vourse there is hydration also. next
Ask_Ed:> What uvb bulb would you recommend for indoor winter enclosures. Specifically for desert species.
EJP: I'm very partial to the active UV heat lamps. next
Ask_Ed:> What's the oldest turtle you have ?
EJP: My leopards I've had 22 years but I have a leopard gecko since 79. does that count? next
Ask_Ed:> what is the difference between a turtle and a tort...
EJP: cute. this is osmething that came up on another list. I believe tortoises are of the group Testinidea. next
EJP: I hope you can excuse the typing. next
Ask_Ed:> what is the difference between a turtle and a tort...
EJP: I think I answered that. next
Ask_Ed:> I've enjoyed your magazine articles. Any future plans for writing a book?
EJP: I'm hoping to put together a leopard tortoise book. next
EJP: oh, and thank you. next
Ask_Ed:> will you be vendoring at any upcoming shows in Calif.?
EJP: i don't normally get a table anywhere. I'm just pretty much a hobbiest. next
Ask_Ed:> is there one tortise you would like to work with but haven't as yet
EJP: Yes. the angulated tortoise. next
Ask_Ed:> Do you find writing something easy or difficult to do?
EJP: Writing is very easy for me. next
Ask_Ed:> do you have a website?
EJP: One day but I have just too many projects. next
Ask_Ed:> Ed, do you have any Galapho's?
EJP: I have aldabras. No galaps. next
Ask_Ed:> Do you travel abroad to see tortoises in the field/natural environment?
EJP: I don't travel specificly to see tortoises but I do have some trips I'd like to take for that purpose. next
Ask_Ed:> is it a possibility to keep sulcatas out doors in richmond va where winter temps can drop to the teens as long as you have a dog house with a nice, warm heat blanket?
EJP: I don't see it because the winters are too long. next
Ask_Ed:> What's the most interesting thing that you have experienced in regards to your tortoises
EJP: Honestly. Two 6 inch aldabras 'going at it'. I've yet to get a picture of it but it is really wierd. next
Ask_Ed:> whats been your most disappointing experience w/torts
EJP: I've hatched out 4 albino Egyptians and have yet to keep one alive. I guess that qualifies. next
Ask_Ed:> Do you feel the 4 inch law should remain, be modified, or be repealed?
EJP: It serves no practical purpose as it stands. imho next
Ask_Ed:> Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years in regards to the turtle keeping hobby?
EJP: I can't even imagine. So many things are changing. I know where I'd like to be. next
Ask_Ed:> what one area would you most wish to travel to to see a tort in the wild?
EJP: That's easy. South Africa but I'm too CS to go there. next
Ask_Ed:> Do you have a preference for working with tortoises over other turtles such as aquatic species.?
EJP: Acquatics are too much work. I have the greatest respect for people who keep them. next
Ask_Ed:> Have you ever thought of doing a video on keeping, care of, and breeding of turtles/tortoises?
EJP: no time for that kind of thing. I like talkin to people directly. next
Ask_Ed:> have or do you; keep all species-subs of box's?
EJP: I have some eastern boxies. I really like them but have been affraid to keep them since i was a kid. next
Ask_Ed:> How big of a setup does one need for a sulcata tortoise?
EJP: for a full grown sulcata you will need at least 100 sq ft. next
Ask_Ed:> Do you do educational outreach programs with local schools?
EJP: I only go to my kids classes on occasion but it is something that I'd like to do. next
Ask_Ed:> have you ever suffered any really nasty bites?
EJP: from a tortoise?????? next
Ask_Ed:> yes, please
EJP: I have a cuban iguana that took off half my thumb once. does that count? next
Ask_Ed:> what is a good book you'd recommend for a beginner turtle keeper?
EJP: No not from a tortoise. next
EJP: But there is an incedent where one of my 30 lb leopards was choking on a rock and i was not at home an my was was allowed to remove the rock.
EJP: That tortoise could have easily removed her fingers. next
Ask_Ed:> Ed we're up on the hour..on behalf of JeffB, Kingsnake.com, the PH's and myself..thank you much ir for taking of your time to be with us tonight!
Ask_Ed:> This has been a most enjoyable and knowledgeable Chat
EJP: I'm sorry to say Highfields book oon the the keeping of turtles an tortoise is still the best out there.
PHWyvern: I love highfield's book. a classic :)
EJP: i enjoyed it.
EJP: it is good
EJP: anyone can email me at pirog@cox.net at any time and thanks.
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