To Microchip Or Not To Microchip?

   There are more than 40 different species of tortoise in the world and not all of them are legally required to be microchipped. Aldabra and Sulcata tortoises are amongst the ones on the CITES list who do not need chipping.

   However, like us, you may choose to have your animal microchipped for your own piece of mind. If the animal escapes, or someone steals it, then you have clear legal claim on the tortoise if it is registered to you.

   Cats have chips put into their front left shoulder, and dogs are usually in the scruff of the neck. The breed standard for tortoises, in this country, is to inject the microchip discreetly into the front of the back left leg cavity, so everyone knows where to look for the animals identification. However, animals coming in to this country from abroad, who are already chipped, may have it in a different location, the side of the neck is a popular alternative. Or in the bottom cheek, however this could be dangerous as you are getting awfully close to the Sciatic nerve, and if it goes wrong, you could end up paralysing them.

   If the animal is calm and cooperative it is a simple and quick procedure, done by a vet, or suitably trained person, and does not particularly hurt them. From experience, we do recommend that you have Aldabra and Sulcata tortoises done when they are younger as it is easier to carry out the procedure then. It is also easier to get them to the surgery or clinic. When they get older, they are naturally much stronger and it is more difficult to restrain them and keep their leg out of the way so that you can inject them. Or get them to put their leg out, in the first place, if they have pulled tightly into their shell.

   Sulcata can be particularly difficult and uncooperative, as a consequence it is not a procedure that can be hurried and may require several attempts, at different times before you successfully manage it. However, you must make sure you do not force their leg out or you may damage it. Unfortunately, if they pull their leg in at the wrong moment, they can bend the needle inside them and cause themselves more problems, besides crushing your hand painfully in the process!

   The main problem with microchipping Aldabras is that most microchips are guaranteed for 99 years, however, this animal could live over 200 years, so they will need two, maybe three, in their lifetime. Its quite a thing to say that they could outlive their microchips several times over! 

Tortoise Finger Printing

   This is a bit misleading because it is the under shell, the Plastron, and the carapace, the domed bit, that is used as the comparison and not the feet. However, just like human finger prints, every tortoises shell is different, even if they come from the same batch of eggs, from the same parents and hatched in exactly the same conditions.

   Traditionally, unique paint or varnish blobs were used to identify your animal, however this can fade from the weather, or just over time and be scrubbed off by someone who has stolen your tortoise. Notching of the shell was a painful alternative.

   Modern methods are the use of microchips, which are legal requirement if the animal is being sold and appears on the Cites list.

However, ‘finger printing’ records can be another non intrusive way to help you to prove it is your animal if a lost tortoise has been found or stolen. It can also be of interest to scientists who can use the pictures as comparisons in their research.

   The tortoise should take up the whole frame of the picture, to maximise the details you can identify, it should also be in colour because shell shade is also as individual as our skin tone. And the camera should be pointed directly down, from above, at the animal, and not off from the side, to maximise the clarity.

   You can keep these pictures for your own records or if you wish to join a registration the British Chelonia Society run one and it is free for their members.

   Look at the Finger printing section on the British Chelonia Group website for further details.

   On the point of photographs, periodically take a picture of your tortoise with something identifiable on a time scale and also in your company. I am talking things like a newspaper with a clear headline so that it is a fact that your tortoise was in your possession when a recorded event happened. That way you can establish a timeline of it being in your possession.

   You don't need to take a snap of it every week with the local free newspaper. Just every once in a while, make sure the picture of the tortoise is clear but that you are touching it to make it more difficult for it to have been Photoshopped or something. Display any particular unique markings- damaged shell places or unusual marking etc. It all helps to clearly establish ownership, over time, without being difficult to do.

   It is suggested that you print off a copy of that photo and put it with any other tortoise paperwork you might have. If you have both physical form photos and digital, it gives you a greater chance of keeping a copy if something happens in your life that could damage or erase them.