Otto, I am sorry to hear you lost that poor tortoise. It is so sad, especially with what may have happened to him. I am a tortoise owner - and my heart goes out to you - I saw your picture and they are precious little guys. The problem is that you need to keep them inside when they are that tiny - unless you are supervising them or have them in a contained area outside that is predator proof. It is quite easy for a magpie to snatch one up. In fact on the tortoise trust they talk about a magpie snatching a small tortoise and taking it to the roof for a meal. The owner could do nothing but stare in devastation. You still have one little guy who needs to be protected. Please think about a predator proof tortoise pen of taking a section of your garden and enclosing it - as well as putting something on the top so that birds can't get in. A friend of mine had 2 small red ear slider turtles and was so upset when she went back outside and checked on them one was gone. She had them in a tupperware container with no protection from birds. She searched her yard and found him pecked to death with pieces missing. And that was just after a few minutes of being left alone. The other turtle had a few cuts where it looked like a bird tried to pick him up but he had jammed himself beneath rocks. She couldn't afford a vet so I took the turtle and still have him. I pray that you find him hiding in your garden - keep looking perhaps the little guy will be smart enough to burrow in and hide. Jen
