New Tortoise/ Substrate Help!

Huw

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Hello!

I am picking up my 7-year Hermann tomorrow. As I am rehoming him from someone else is there anything I should do to make the change of home easier on the Tort?

I have been busy setting up indoor and outdoor enclosures.

I have used top soil/ play sand mix for the indoor enclosure based on advice, but have since read that both these should be avoided! What is correct? I'm afraid there is so much info online that it gets rather confusing for newbies like myself.

I am both really excited and really nervous and want to get it right!

Thanks in advance for any help.
 

JoesMum

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We generally tell people to avoid sand of any sort, even mixed with other substrate, as it sticks to wet food and gets eaten and then impacts in the gut.

Most popular on here are fine grade orchid bark and coco coir. Both of these can be mixed with water so they're evenly damp to raise humidity.

A 7 year old tort isn't in need of such high humidity as a baby and will need a large table to stretch its legs in and will definitely benefit from spending the summer months outdoors
 

Huw

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Ah rights. Balls.
I'll get onto that. Spent an hour last night mixing sand and soil thinking "this doesn't seem right...".

Thanks!
 

Gillian M

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A very warm welcome to the forum, @Huw .

Any pics of your tort and his enclosure?
 

Gillian M

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A very warm welcome to the forum, @Huw .

Please post pics of your tort and his enclosure.
 

Huw

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Hiya!
Here he is.
Got him this morning from a very loving household.
Been wonderful seeing him wandering about.
My current issue is that as a newbie i dont know what is normal or not!
He's not eaten anything yet except a bit of soil!
 

Huw

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Does anyone know if his lack of eating might be down to his stress at moving house?
 

JoesMum

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Does anyone know if his lack of eating might be down to his stress at moving house?
It could well be. Some don't cope well with change at all.

Establish a routine so your tort learns what to expect and when.

Get the lights on a timer so they go on and off at the same time each day and the temperatures right.

Start the day with a soak of at least 20 minutes in warm water before your tort has warmed up properly. This will help get your tort used to being handled by you and also make sure it stays hydrated.

While your tort soaks, tidy the enclosure and place food.

Replace your tort in the enclosure and walk away leaving him entirely alone and unwatched as much as possible so he can be brave and explore. You are new, big and intimidating at the moment.

With time he'll come round and decide you are the bringer of yummy foods :)
 

zovick

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Yes, the move may cause a drop in appetite for a period of time, sometimes even a week or two with certain individuals. You might ask the prior owners what some of his favorite foods were and try offering him some of those items to get him started eating at his new home.
 

Huw

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Thanks Zovick.
They gave me a bag of what they fed him.
Ive been trying to keep to
His old routines but i guess im just having trouble leaving him alone!
 
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JoesMum

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... but i guess im just having trouble leaving him alone!
Everything is new. As I said, you are intimidating at the moment.

Torts aren't social creatures and happiest with all 4 feet on the ground.

Please do leave him alone to be brave and explore. The routine I suggested will help
 

Huw

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At what point should i get worried about his lack of eating?
Im worried already mind you!
 

JoesMum

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At what point should i get worried about his lack of eating?
Im worried already mind you!
As long as you are soaking for at least 20 minutes every morning then they can go safely without food for a couple of weeks or more. Torts will eat when they're hungry. But temperatures must be right and they need to feel safe.
 

Jabuticaba

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I use plain soil and peat moss. I pack it well, so it provides good grip and retains moisture. My guys are adults, too, so I keep the humidity at around 40%.
 
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