I'm thinking of buying a tortoise
Discussion
Hi there, I have wanted a tortoise for many years and finally my husband has relented! As with everything there is much advice available on the Internet but I wondered if anyone could offer some personal advice please?
I am looking at a relatively young tortoise (that should outlive me). My understanding is that in the small years a tortoise should be kept in a Vivarium. Does anyone have a Vivarium setup? I would just like confirmation from someone who has done it that the setup is right before I go and get the tortoise!
I'm looking at: -
3ft Vivarium
UV light
Heat light
Heat mat
Substrate
Food & water dishes
Hide of some description
Vitamin supplement and food
What have I forgotten?
I am looking at a relatively young tortoise (that should outlive me). My understanding is that in the small years a tortoise should be kept in a Vivarium. Does anyone have a Vivarium setup? I would just like confirmation from someone who has done it that the setup is right before I go and get the tortoise!
I'm looking at: -
3ft Vivarium
UV light
Heat light
Heat mat
Substrate
Food & water dishes
Hide of some description
Vitamin supplement and food
What have I forgotten?
My mum has a tortoise (which I will inevitable inherit and have to look after it for a further 30 years)
I can't think of anything extra that she has over and above your list. She has an outside run for it as well in the summer but is a decent size.
She doesn't have a heat mat though - just a lamp and a square of slate that gets got from the lamp
I can't think of anything extra that she has over and above your list. She has an outside run for it as well in the summer but is a decent size.
She doesn't have a heat mat though - just a lamp and a square of slate that gets got from the lamp
Edited by Defcon5 on Sunday 5th April 09:10
It's great to be appreciated stuartmmcfc said:
Out of interest, where do you buy a tortoise from these days?
I remember a local pet shop having a window display full of them but this was back in the 70s and I've never seen any for sale since.
are now on Appendix 2 of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and are also covered by additional, EU-wide, legislation which controls sale, transport and possession within Europe. As such, they may no longer be imported, sold, offered for sale or otherwise traded in within Europe without a special permit. Trade collecting, import and sale of wild tortoises of these species is prohibited totally.I remember a local pet shop having a window display full of them but this was back in the 70s and I've never seen any for sale since.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
The tortoise? 
Thank you, I knew there was something I was missing 😃Thanks for the other information too. I was planning an outdoor enclosure when it gets a bit bigger, I understand when they are tiny that they are easy prey for big birds.
There are a few reptile stockists that sell them near us, I'm assuming it's the same nationwide. They vary in price (£85-£180) depending on species/age but seem to be readily available.
tvr wife said:
Geff is exactly what I am looking for! Does he live in a tortoise table or a Vivarium? How old is he?
That does automitically lead on to the next question, what do I name a tortoise that I will have (hopefully) for the rest of my life?.
Technically we don't know if he's a he yet... But I just started calling 'it' Geff! That does automitically lead on to the next question, what do I name a tortoise that I will have (hopefully) for the rest of my life?.
My wife got me him for Christmas after I made a comment about wanting one... Not expecting to be taken literally. Bought from a Hermann breeder near Stockport for £100. Has been putting on 3 or 4 grams a month and now weighs a massive 36 grams!
Lives in:
We got advised that a heat mat and a vivarium get too hot. We position a lamp towards one corner of the run.
Speak to theser guys:
http://www.globalgeckos.co.uk/public_html/
Very knowledgeable on all things herpy and have a pair of Torties running free on the shopfloor.
http://www.globalgeckos.co.uk/public_html/
Very knowledgeable on all things herpy and have a pair of Torties running free on the shopfloor.
Turn7 said:
Speak to theser guys:
http://www.globalgeckos.co.uk/public_html/
Very knowledgeable on all things herpy and have a pair of Torties running free on the shopfloor.
Crunch...http://www.globalgeckos.co.uk/public_html/
Very knowledgeable on all things herpy and have a pair of Torties running free on the shopfloor.
stuartmmcfc said:
Turn7 said:
Speak to theser guys:
http://www.globalgeckos.co.uk/public_html/
Very knowledgeable on all things herpy and have a pair of Torties running free on the shopfloor.
Crunch...http://www.globalgeckos.co.uk/public_html/
Very knowledgeable on all things herpy and have a pair of Torties running free on the shopfloor.
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.
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