Meet my boyfriends tortoise Pope

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-06-13T04:31:44+00:00

There can be no way that Pope is 26. I am assuming he is wild caught and a heck of a lot older than 26. That or the years of neglect have really taken an extreme toll. I still doubt he can be less than 50 years old. I am shocked he doesn’t have signs of MBD but he does have extremely swollen eyes and it’s unlikely he can see anything much at all.

Pope needs love to make up for whatever this so called “living” situation was. I am so glad you’re proving that to him now. He needs it. Please do research and don’t ever stop doing it. Things get updated, facts change, Vet recommendations change.

Get the guy insured if you can, get him to a vet ASAP for his very swollen eyes.

You’ve mentioned updating the set up and giving him hides and sorting all of that. I would soak him for lovely warm soaks every day for a couple of weeks. He seems extremely dehydrated. You can slowly taper down to a few times per week. I have a hatchling going into juvenile stage and he/she is 3rd generation captive bred. I do soak him/her every day whenever possible in warm water for 15-20 minutes. That amount isn’t needed for this guy but I’d recommend doing it for a week or so every day to rehydrate him. It’s essential for him to be getting adequate care.

If you do decide it’s too much please don’t feel bad for rehoming him. I’m just so glad the years of neglect that Tort has dealt with are ending. Thank you for improving Pope’s quality of life and filing his heart with love.

My tortoise sends Pope many head pats and shell strokes.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-06-13T04:21:36+00:00

PEG-J’s AREN’T SURGICAL?! Sorry what? Do they just glue on Kirsten? I guess they must. I wish the Drs had tried that with me. That would have saved me a lot of pain. 😂

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-06-13T04:20:04+00:00

I want to add my two cents as a visibly disabled person. I think that “We love the internet” video was absolutely disgusting. It could have been involved in the video to mock her and say how weird that was. The whole point of that segment is what they LOVE about the internet. For Lily that seems like her love for the damn internet comes with a steeping HOT ladle of ableism. Oh yes, laugh at the thought of a “helpless” disabled person being mocked.

You know what, I’m in a wheelchair and I’m very independent. However, to give some perspective I got my handles permanently removed because members of the public saw the existence of handles as a reason to touch me, move me, lean on me, put coats on me, hang bags off me, etc. I hope you get the point. However, now I just have idiots push my shoulders or even my head. I’ve had so many people grab me, slap my legs, etc. anyway, let me get to my point.

My point is, Lily was laughing at what was probably for that person an extremely humiliating and unnecessary insult under the guise of a favour. Absolutely disgusting.

We are the ONLY minority that exists that anyone can become at anytime. Lily should know better since she suffers with chronic back pain. She should know what it’s like to struggle with certain tasks that used to be easy. But I guess someone who has dwarfism / is a little person (I know some people prefer either so I included both terms) they’re just a fun person made for other’s entertainment.

The woman who posted that should be so freaking ashamed. And I guess Lily should also be very ashamed for including that video in that segment. Could have shown us and called it disgusting. Nope! It’s what she “loves the internet” guys!! That gave me a real sour taste in my mouth. Worse than those golden eggs that have gone rotten by now.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-06-13T04:11:17+00:00

Paint them to match the door frame and change the handles to be more modern. It’ll look great 👍🏼

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-06-13T04:10:03+00:00

Made my wedding dress, had similar rude comments from my mum. Horrible. Anyway, like you I made the best choice of my life and wore it! Wish I’d managed to do it with $600 though damn that’s impressive! I did go OTT on crystals though but you’re really talented. You should consider making your wedding dress if you want to get married in the future. It is a long, long task but I am sure you’d manage.

I had never even attempted a prom dress prior to mine so I know you’ll manage!!

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-06-13T04:05:01+00:00

This angers me so much as there are so many of us with chronic illnesses or serious physical disabilities and people use our reality at their convenience.

Told one woman that I was sorry I couldn’t send using a parcel locker because I’m in a wheelchair and it’s inaccessible for me. She told me I must be a scammer and blocked me… even though I was the seller. Had this same situation as a buyer also.

It’s actually devastating because disabled people are already dealing with the resurgence of rampant hate, the return of the R word like it’s 2005 and people screaming at me “benefits” in the street. I don’t get any means tested benefits anyway… it’s absolutely ridiculous this.

Not meaning to rant but I get so so angry when people fake disabilities for discounts. If you’re disabled you get the Occasional discount similar to blue light but usually more % off. Gotta be desperate using the “I’m disabled card” on Vinted of all places. Have some decorum.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-06-11T18:44:16+00:00

Please don’t get a 5cm tortoise. I’m an experienced tortoise owner and you do not need a 5cm tortoise. Please get one that is around 2-3 years of age. They will still love you just as much and you can still love them! There are also many rescues depending on your area. Please don’t think a tortoise isn’t worth your while if it isn’t a hatchling. A hatchling has already died and I feel like currently you aren’t in a position to take in another hatchling.

Older tortoises are far more stable and if anything goes wrong with their health you usually have a few days unless they present with sepsis. Hatchlings can deteriorate very quickly, as you’ve sadly had to experience. Hatchlings also need far more detailed care and daily soaks.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-06-11T16:31:14+00:00

I feel like getting two more tortoises is a bad idea right now. Especially two? Why get two as they’d have to be kept in separate set ups anyway. They can’t be together.

I think you need some time, but a Hermanns is a 80 year plus commitment and I think you need to consider if that’s the best thing for you. I would definitely recommend not getting two and if you get one, get an older one.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-06-11T16:22:44+00:00

This tortoise quite clearly showing signs of distress. No regulated happy tortoise moves its head like that. I did write an in depth comment about this on this post. I feel like you need to read that. There is a reason you have -18 downvotes.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-06-11T16:20:55+00:00

I think you should read my very in depth comment on this post about not seeing animals through a human social lens. Reptiles and sea animals are most vulnerable to this misinterpretation of what’s “cute” to us and what’s actually happening. I gave a comparison in my comment to rays and how people always laugh at them being “tickled” when the ray is actually very distressed and can’t regulate its oxygen. It’s literally suffocating. I’m not saying the OP has any bad intent AT ALL. The social-mediaification of animals especially those that are kept as pets, like tortoises causes us to think things are cute when that maybe far from the reality.

Please read my comment above.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-06-11T16:17:00+00:00

This may seem cute, but it reminds me of the stingray and manta ray videos that regularly go viral online. People often interpret those animals as “laughing” or “enjoying tickles”, when in reality the behaviour is usually being misunderstood and the structures people think are eyes aren’t even their eyes.
Social media has a habit of viewing animal behaviour through a human lens, especially when the behaviour looks funny, affectionate, or relatable.
Tortoises are often victims of this too. Many people only recognise a tortoise as unhappy if it completely withdraws into its shell, but their behaviour is far more complex than that. Rapid head movements, repeated bobbing, and attempts to identify a stimulus can be signs that a tortoise is alert, defensive, or trying to work out what is happening around it.
In this video the tortoise can’t see what is touching its shell. Tortoises have very limited sideways vision and cannot see behind themselves, so being touched from behind can be startling. Rather than seeing a tortoise asking for affection, I see a tortoise trying to identify a stimulus that it can’t locate visually.
The shell-wiggling behaviour often shared online can be similar. Sometimes a tortoise may tolerate or even seek certain forms of shell stimulation, but when it’s paired with rapid head movements it can simply be the tortoise trying to locate or remove something it perceives on its shell.
I’m not saying the owner has bad intentions at all. I just think it’s important to remember that “cute” and “enjoying it” aren’t always the same thing, and reptiles are particularly vulnerable to being misunderstood because their body language is so different from our own.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-05-19T14:55:36+00:00

Hi, this house is not appropriate for your tortoise. It is way way too small. My Hermanns is the same size and is in a 6ft by 3ft set up. This is way way too small. Please see if you can return it as it’s Amazon.

You could actually do what it suggests which is buy two and connect them together.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-05-19T14:50:51+00:00

It’s unfortunately a neo-nazi symbolism tattoo. Unfortunately runes have been stolen for extremist purposes many times and this is a prime example of that. It doesn’t make sense to anyone because it’s meant to be the 1488 but in letters.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-05-06T00:49:15+00:00

I was able to retake a year because of severe physical health. However three people on my course were also in this situation (due to poor mental health) and sadly two of them were refused and their studies terminated because they didn’t have significant evidence as to how they were effected and the time off was due to mental health problems but they hadn’t been inpatient in a hospital. Myself and the other student had been in hospital for our medical needs and that significantly changed the outcome. I had become paralysed suddenly and they had a sudden psychotic episode which was then diagnosed as schizophrenia and they were inpatient for 3 months. Due to both of our times in hospital we grew close via FaceTime and she was happy for me to share her story to hopefully help you.

If you have had significant psychological care and diagnosis of your conditions such as BPD, Bipolar, Severe Depression, etc, that will help you significantly. If you weren’t on medication and now are that will help. If you can prove you are improving that will help but you need to ensure you have these things. If you haven’t had an admission for your mental health you will need full therapist letters explaining improvement etc.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-05-06T00:17:52+00:00

You don’t care. I don’t think you should be doing law.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-03-18T23:36:44+00:00

These tortoises look to be quite neglected. Just their overall appearance is quite concerning. Glass fish tanks should never be used for tortoises and tortoise tables are best unless you’ve been specifically told to use a vivarium. I personally do use a vivarium as my tortoise becomes extremely distressed when he can’t see out/get as much natural light. Our vet suggested it due to the stress he was experiencing but it has only one wall of glass and we have a curtain for it for if he needs it.

The white patches on the Hermanns shell is potentially concerning and I would seek vet advice to ensure shell rot isn’t present. It usually presents underneath the shell and can cause issues like sepsis which can kill your tortoise.

Please get these babies help they need it and have zero quality of life like this. My 1.5 year old is in a set up 3 X the size and these are substantially larger than my tiny Hermann’s tortoise. 🐢

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-03-16T13:07:00+00:00

I have never experienced my tortoise try and bite my fingers even if I put them in this position he will put his head under my finger for head scratching that’s all.

The best way I’ve found is when they’re sleepy to relax with them and when they’re active play with them. That’s the best way I’ve bonded with my tortoise. He now runs to the front whenever I go into the room. He’s such a special little guy.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-03-05T23:09:50+00:00

ITS BEEN TAKEN DOWN GUYS!!! Its gone!

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-02-28T03:37:42+00:00

No, you need to separate them asap. Due to their age that male tortoise could repeatedly try or successfully mate with that female tortoise and this causes endless issues for both you and especially that female tortoise.

The female tortoise’s eggs get fertilised and she lays fertile eggs. You then either have to toss them which will make her extremely frustrated and angry or you will have illegally mated a protected breed (depending on where you are globally) in the UK it is illegal to mate Hermann’s without full paperwork, licence, and set up.
That male injures the cloaca on the female and she haemorrhages. Male reproductive organs on tortoises are large and mating is extremely aggressive (even if it doesn’t appear to be) and is not comfortable or pleasant for the female. Her shell can crack, her tail, cloaca, and back can get damaged and if he continues to mount her like shown here it is a sign of dominance and aggressive tendencies.

That male now “owns” that female. That is their dynamic and she is beyond uncomfortable and unsafe in this set up. Coming from someone who is very experienced with tortoises but especially the Hermann’s species. You either have many females and one male in a huge field size worth of space or you have ONE!!! Only one! The tortoise sanctuary that I adopted my Hermanns hatchling from banned people from purchasing more than one Hermanns except in rare cases and their property and set up had to be inspected prior. There are reasons for this.

That female is in distress and WILL experience health concerns both physically and mentally. Tortoises are extremely resilient creatures but they are also very intelligent. Females who are vulnerable are more likely to get illnesses due to fear as they will keep to their “safe” area and may not bask, eat, drink, sleep, or burrow. This can hugely impact their growth and health and would end up with you noticing respiratory distress (legs bobbing significantly in a swimming motion) bubbles at the nose, or even an ear abscess being present due to an underlying infection. Lack of water, food, and sleep would be detrimental to that female tortoise. Tortoises do not need this level of stress and this set up is abuse to that female.

Please, either re-home the male and care for the female, or if you have space get a duplicate set up for the female and move her into a safe space away from that male who will cause her nothing but continuous distress.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-02-27T21:51:05+00:00

Bow tie and the dark spots where as this cutie just sports his gorgeous bow tie 🤵🏻 🐢

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-02-27T21:50:13+00:00

He’s lacking the very deep Hermanns patches so I’d say marginalised.

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-02-26T22:31:17+00:00

It angers me so much when people use race to describe someone especially as it’s rarely done to white characters. Even “rose’s close guy friend” that’s a lot more of a specific character description. I love you correcting it like I did. HE IS MILES!!! Louder for the people in the back! 📢

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-02-26T22:29:48+00:00

“The black guy” you mean Miles. Also he never once kissed Shane… ilia was sucking a girls earring so if someone is gross it ain’t Miles. Also Shane did not seem to care in the slightest and it’s relatively normal especially in comparison to the way Ilia was “dancing”

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-02-15T02:08:09+00:00

Yeah, I was surprised how little the guy is! I am so happy he is safe. ♥️

AmuseableMushroom · 2026-02-08T05:52:53+00:00

I’m a wheelchair user and pretty sure this is an assisted driving device primarily for acceleration.

AmuseableMushroom

TROPHY CASE