Page 9 - winter 2020

Friends oF red rock canyon 9

the fluid, the vet consulted with several reptile the Rock Stars, healthy.
experts. Because tortoise physiology is so differ-
ent from mammals like humans, dog and cats, As for the rest of the torts, they’ve all been
relatively little is known about how their bodies doing great. One
function. So unfortunately, Libby has everyone morning this
stumped. summer, most of
the girls decided
The kidney biopsy finally came back and was to have breakfast
normal, but there were several types of bacteria in together. They’re
the fluid from Libby’s body cavity. We put her on usually quite
another course of antibiotics to clear those up. naughty and like to
steal food from the
Since surgery, other girls’ dishes,
Libby has slowly but this time they mostly refrained.
been recovering.
Even though she’s The last tortoise sighting in the habitat was on
being kept warm, November 20, when Hugo came out to enjoy the
she is still trying rain for a while. Now that the torts have gone into
to brumate. This brumation for the year, I know all our volunteers
is a problem, as are already looking forward to their emergence in
tortoises don’t spring!
eat when they are
preparing to brumate. The vet and I are closely There is a training session scheduled for April 1
monitoring her condition, but right now I don’t if you’re interested in becoming a Tortoise Habi-
have any more news to share. We’ll be doing tat monitor. Please email me at torts@friends
everything possible to keep Libby, and the rest of redrock.org for more information.

The Rock Stars – Fast Facts

Did you know that Friends of Red more than $7,100 on the Rock Star’s
Rock Canyon subsidize all costs for keep- medical expenses.
ing our Rock Stars healthy and happy?
We pay for the delicious and nutritious Our members’ generosity has under-
Tort Chow, organic veggies from the written a large amount of the medical
approved feeding list, the glamorous blue bills but the funding is running low. You
booties our volunteers wear in the habitat can help by either purchasing the limited
and more. edition calendar, Rock Stars of 2020, or
by making a restricted use donation for
One of the most important items paid the Tort Medical Fund.
for by Friends are medical costs. Friends Mike Evans and Dr. V examine
began having annual check-ups for the Hugo during a 2016 house call The kids will thank you for any help
kids in August 2015 and have since spent at Red Rock you can provide.

All proceeds from this $16.95
limited edition year of cuteness will
go to the Tort Medical Fund. Order
on line at https://friendsredrock.
org/product/the-rockstars-in-2020-
calendar/
Sorry, no member discounts are
available on this. The kids need all
the help they can get.

Winter 2020