I'm thinking of buying a tortoise
Discussion
Backseatdriver said:
I would decide on what kind of tortoise you want before anyone can advise you regarding housing etc. Some tortoises hibernate, some species must never hibernate. Some tropical tortoises need a vivarium but most tortoises do much better on a tortoise table as there is more airflow and the opportunity for different heat gradients. Some tortoises stay small and manageable and some grow to be huge. Please do some serious investigations before you decide. None of them are easy to look after. Have a look on the Shelled Warriors website for some good advice.
This is the best advice you've had, I've had a spur thigh for 4 years a weekly bath helps with hydration the right food helps cuttlefish for there beak a tortoise table is a no brainer and 2 is better than one in some respects ie will make each other eat etc. Get one and enjoy it
I've had a pair of Hermann torts for about 12 years now, Linford and Button. I made a torty table out of an old book case, took the shelves out, and sealed it all with an epoxy type of paint. I use a wooden cat litter and wood shaving substrate, have a UV lamp at one end, and an angle-poise heat lamp at the other.
They will eat most leafy greens, but love dandelions, plantains, clovers and a lot of garden weeds. As a rule of thumb, anything that grows from a bulb is to be avoided, they don't deal well with protein (meat and pulses) and they love to have a cuttlebone to chew on.
Best information for keeping them is here - http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/Site/Welcome.html
I've overwintered mine for a few years, but the key to hibernation is a slow wind down, feed them less, reduce the amount of light they get and make sure their gut is empty before they go down. Most hibernation fatalities are a result of rotting food in the stomach.
They will eat most leafy greens, but love dandelions, plantains, clovers and a lot of garden weeds. As a rule of thumb, anything that grows from a bulb is to be avoided, they don't deal well with protein (meat and pulses) and they love to have a cuttlebone to chew on.
Best information for keeping them is here - http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/Site/Welcome.html
I've overwintered mine for a few years, but the key to hibernation is a slow wind down, feed them less, reduce the amount of light they get and make sure their gut is empty before they go down. Most hibernation fatalities are a result of rotting food in the stomach.
My parents had a Spur Thighed Tortoise passed to them about 20 years ago, I guess he is now around 50+ years old.
He just trots around the garden doing his thing and gets fed whatever salad type stuff they have lying around.
Each winter, he used to get put in an old tin travel case with some bedding in the shed, these days with him being fairly robust he just tends to bury himself as the nights start to cool. Once buried Dad will place a 'kennel' over him to keep the worst of the weather out.
As spring starts to come around and the frosts stop he gets excavated and life carries on.
Cracking chap and always a treat for my young neice's, they're the first thing they go looking for when they visit (aged 2&3).
In the summer he loves to have a watering can poured over him to help him cool down, and a good scratch of his head.
You kind of forget he's there most of the time though, probably one of the least intensive pets to have.
He just trots around the garden doing his thing and gets fed whatever salad type stuff they have lying around.
Each winter, he used to get put in an old tin travel case with some bedding in the shed, these days with him being fairly robust he just tends to bury himself as the nights start to cool. Once buried Dad will place a 'kennel' over him to keep the worst of the weather out.
As spring starts to come around and the frosts stop he gets excavated and life carries on.
Cracking chap and always a treat for my young neice's, they're the first thing they go looking for when they visit (aged 2&3).
In the summer he loves to have a watering can poured over him to help him cool down, and a good scratch of his head.
You kind of forget he's there most of the time though, probably one of the least intensive pets to have.
My dad has just caved in and is letting my mum get a tortoise, 2 things about it are really annoying me
1. She is giving it a name, christ knows why anyone would name a tortoise as she is very unlikely to ever have to recall it!! It's almost as pointless as naming fish!
2. It WILL out live her and no doubt she expects me to look after the bloody thing when she's gone
1. She is giving it a name, christ knows why anyone would name a tortoise as she is very unlikely to ever have to recall it!! It's almost as pointless as naming fish!
2. It WILL out live her and no doubt she expects me to look after the bloody thing when she's gone
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