Hermann's tortoise UVB light and calcium
- Thread starter Blizzard
- Start date
Welcome to the forum!
Yes, uvb lighting is very necessary, and calcium powder is very recommended.
Take a look at these links and come back with questions-
This care sheet is for Russians, but it works for most testudos- Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/
Beginner Mistakes
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
Yes, uvb lighting is very necessary, and calcium powder is very recommended.
Take a look at these links and come back with questions-
This care sheet is for Russians, but it works for most testudos- Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/
Beginner Mistakes
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
What do you mean tortoise food? Zoomed grassland?
That’s quite odd, because usually they go straight for the greens. Perhaps the breeder didn’t feed enough variety.
Try mixing small amounts of greens in with the food daily. Everyday, increase the amounts of greens, and decrease the tortoise food.
Be sure to read those links very thoroughly!
What kind of tortoise food? What brand, and can you send a picture?
I would stay away from cucumber, unless you’re just using it to hydrate. It’s 95% water, and has no nutrients.
Be sure that you feed a large variety!
http://www.repcal.com/Tort.htm is the tortoise food. I give ginger like 7 and some veggies.
I would be careful with that. Those are what we call “fruity pebbles”, and I’m not entirely sure about them. But, everything in moderation.
Make sure you read the links
Ok, there are a few thing wrong with your enclosure-
Is that sand or paper towel? Your substrate needs to be changed to something that can hold humidity, and can be burrowed in. Change it ASAP to fine grade orchid bark, peat moss, coco coir, or cypress mulch.
That red light needs to be taken out. It causes them to eat their substrate, which is very dangerous if it’s on sand, it confuses them because it makes their world red, an$ it messes up their sleep cycle because they can see the red. Your tortoise needs a 100 degree basking spot, and no night heat. Get a daylight basking bulb.
That water bowl needs to go. It needs to be replaced with something shallow and easy to get into, preferably a terra cotta saucer.
I don’t see any hides. Your tortoise needs at least two hides- a hide on the cool side, and a humid hide on the warm side.
I would not listen to a word that the store owner told you, if he told you to get all of this.
Please read the links I gave you.
Is that sand or paper towel? Your substrate needs to be changed to something that can hold humidity, and can be burrowed in. Change it ASAP to fine grade orchid bark, peat moss, coco coir, or cypress mulch.
That red light needs to be taken out. It causes them to eat their substrate, which is very dangerous if it’s on sand, it confuses them because it makes their world red, an$ it messes up their sleep cycle because they can see the red. Your tortoise needs a 100 degree basking spot, and no night heat. Get a daylight basking bulb.
That water bowl needs to go. It needs to be replaced with something shallow and easy to get into, preferably a terra cotta saucer.
I don’t see any hides. Your tortoise needs at least two hides- a hide on the cool side, and a humid hide on the warm side.
I would not listen to a word that the store owner told you, if he told you to get all of this.
Please read the links I gave you.
The substrate is concrete, and the water bowl is very shallow, it's only to its chin. I've heard that concrete works ok, but I may be wrong. I will change it. So the red heat lamps wouldn't work? I will go get the things you require.
The problem with the water bowl is that it’s tall, so they won’t get into it in their own. Your tortoise needs something he can burrow in. Be absolutely certain that you read the links I gave you.
Ok, thanks! You have no idea how many times I’ve linked them to people but they just don’t read it, lol.
Your tortoise is very cute! I’m sure that, with the changes you’ll be making, it’ll live a full, happy life
