Hey everyone nice to meet you all, I have a few exotic pets but no tortoises apart from one on the way and I have no clue!!! I have an African Grey parrot called Coby, a Green Iguana called Lily and 4 albino frogs eeni, meeni, miny and Mo! A friend of a friend has a tortoise (not sure of breed yet) that needs rehoming, I am going to bring him home but I'm in unchartered territory because I do not know the first thing about them aaargghhh. I love him already his name is Maurice but I need to know the basics! any info will be gratefully recieved. Thanks guys, Kaz xxx

Once you know what species of tortoise you are getting we could be more helpful as they all have differing needs. Welcome and have fun! If you post a pic we can help identify the species for you and get you off on the right foot care wise for him.

This post was last modified: 01-25-2008 05:17 PM by JustAnja.

Welcome! Love the four frogs names!! Like AJ said, the first step is to find out what kind of a tort your going to be having the joy of caring for.

Welcome Kaz, I fosterd 4 RES (Red Eared Slider turtles) for my daughter and they were named eeni, meeni, miny and Bo, cause she didn't like the name Mo. (he,he). Could you ask your friends, friend what kind it is so we could get you started. Also knowing if it is a hatchling or adult helps. When do you expect Maurice?

Thanks everyone, He did tell me the breed but I had forgotten by the next morning, he has two types and I picked one as it doesnt grow quite as big as the other, the problem is I havent seen him for a week and my memory isnt all that good I just want to know really what I will need before I bring him home for example what heat requirements will he need (living in England! brrr) and housing etc. I know about their dietry requirements and can research more once hes here but where will he sleep??!! lol x

ooh and (sorry) he's an adult, well he's not a hatchling but he's not very old I said I'll bring him home when I know more about him.

Hi Kaz,
You really need to call this person your getting the tortoise from and ask what type he/she is. We really can't give you an idea of what you need to get until we know what kind of tortoises it is. Each different kind of tortoise needs different housing and dietary requirements.
Can I ask where in England you are?

Danny

Well like everyone above said you need to know what type of tort you are getting for specifics to that breed. A few things you will need for all types of tortoise are a enclosure size would be based on the tort, a few examples is make a wood tort table, large plastic containers, etc.. Just DO NOT use aquariums if at all possible it is not good for the tort, you want something with good ventilation and sides he can not see through. You will also need two lamps a basking lamp and a uvb bulb, or you can buy a two in one bulb that does both like a mega ray bulb, they run around $ 50..00 for those. You will want one end to be the warm end and one end to be cooler, So you will need a thermometer, and a hide for him to hide in. You will need a sallow dish for water, and a substrate but that would be based on the tort you are getting.. You said it is one that does not get real large.. Could it be a hermann, russian, or a greek? Good Luck with your new tort and post picks and or species so we can give you more details.