Bedtime

[Hannahflove]

Hi today we purchased our first horse field tortoise. We have her in the bedroom are we ok to have the tv on at night time? Thank you

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hi today we purchased our first horse field tortoise. We have her in the bedroom are we ok to have the tv on at night time? Thank you

Hello and welcome!

Unless you watch TV with maxed out volume - it's okay. Also, you can cover terrarium doors with a blackout curtain for the night.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello there! Cute tort!

I don’t suppose you’d mind sharing a bit more on how you’re keeping him? I’m noticing he has some pyramiding, was he a rehome? If so did they happen to mention his age? If you could answer these following questions that would be wonderful! It’s always nice to check in with newer members

What sized set up is he in?
What are your temperatures like? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps, night temps?
What kind of basking bulb are you using specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
What’s your indoor uv type?
How’s humidity reading?
What kind of substrate is that? Forest floor?

A photo of the set up would be wonderful if you're willing to share! Welcome to the forum from a fellow uk member

 

[Hannahflove]

He is 18 months got him from a reptile shop, what is pyramiding? He had a tortoise table .

 

[Hannahflove]

Should I bath him to help hydrate

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

He is 18 months got him from a reptile shop, what is pyramiding? He had a tortoise table .

Ah that explains it, this isn’t your fault, pet stores have quite literally no clue how to raise healthy smooth tortoises in the long run. As he’s on the younger side he needs a closed chamber to retain humidity, which is good as he’s in a viv with you! This will hopefully smooth him out a little bit as he grows but he will always be a bit bumpy now.

I think you’ll hopefully find this housing thread I made useful! it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger torts, appropriately maintaining humidity, substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything and a really handy diet link to check out! I talk about a greenhouse set up here but a viv will work even better until he needs a size upgrade

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes some different closed chamber options should you need them

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, probably the most important, this one is really good to familiarise yourself with, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they help! Give them a read through and please come back with any further questions

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

He is 18 months got him from a reptile shop, what is pyramiding? He had a tortoise table .

Ah that explains it, this isn’t your fault, pet stores have quite literally no clue how to raise healthy smooth tortoises in the long run. As he’s on the younger side he needs a closed chamber to retain humidity, which is good as he’s in a viv with you! This will hopefully smooth him out a little bit as he grows but he will always be a bit bumpy now.

I think you’ll hopefully find this housing thread I made useful! it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger torts, appropriately maintaining humidity, substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything and a really handy diet link to check out! I talk about a greenhouse set up here but a viv will work even better until he needs a size upgrade

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes some different closed chamber options should you need them

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one is also really good to familiarise yourself with, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they help! Give them a read through and please come back with any further questions!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Should I bath him to help hydrate

Yes I’d give him a soak every 2-3 days for his age

 

[Hannahflove]

Hello there! Cute tort!

I don’t suppose you’d mind sharing a bit more on how you’re keeping him? I’m noticing he has some pyramiding, was he a rehome? If so did they happen to mention his age? If you could answer these following questions that would be wonderful! It’s always nice to check in with newer members

What sized set up is he in?
What are your temperatures like? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps, night temps?
What kind of basking bulb are you using specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
What’s your indoor uv type?
How’s humidity reading?
What kind of substrate is that? Forest floor?

A photo of the set up would be wonderful if you're willing to share! Welcome to the forum from a fellow uk member

Should I bath him?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Should I bath him?

Yes I’d give him a soak every 2-3 days for his age

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Water should just come to the bottom of his shell, keep it nice and warm but obviously not too warm! Somewhere around 90-95degrees, it’s good to have two bowls so you can transfer him when one cools down, he’ll also poop during a soak so again good to have two lol

 

[Hannahflove]

Thanks for your help!

 

[Hannahflove]

Water should just come to the bottom of his shell, keep it nice and warm but obviously not too warm! Somewhere around 90-95degrees, it’s good to have two bowls so you can transfer him when one cools down, he’ll also poop during a soak so again good to have two lol

Should I dry him after?

 

[zolasmum]

Hello Hannah and welcome also from Devon (Holsworthy area).We have a 24 year old Hermanns tortoise,who we have had since he was a baby. I'm so glad you have found this forum, as it is by far the best place to get help and information from people who are really knowledgable about tortoises. I wish it had existed when we got Zola, as I know we would have done a lot of things differently. However, he is well and happy, and lives in the heated conservatory leading off our living-room. He is the most important member of our family, and very precious to us.
I hope all will go well with your little one's settling in - what is his/her name - or haven't you decided yet?
Very best wishes from Angie

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thanks for your help!

No problem at all! They’ll always be someone on here around to help answer any questions you may have on this wonderful new journey of yours!

Here’s a bit more of a visual on what pyramiding is by the way! Now granted the bottom one looks to be wild caught, captive bread do tend to have some when they’re coming from breeders and pet stores, it’s usually from being raised too dry, but incorrect bulbs can do it too.

Don’t worry too much about it as what’s done is done and under your care with correct conditions, it’ll merely be cosmetic! Just thought it’d help you to have an idea of what it is

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Should I dry him after?

You could give him a quick run over with a towel, we do for ours, but he’ll likely dry off in the enclosure too

 

[Hannahflove]

Hello Hannah and welcome also from Devon (Holsworthy area).We have a 24 year old Hermanns tortoise,who we have had since he was a baby. I'm so glad you have found this forum, as it is by far the best place to get help and information from people who are really knowledgable about tortoises. I wish it had existed when we got Zola, as I know we would have done a lot of things differently. However, he is well and happy, and lives in the heated conservatory leading off our living-room. He is the most important member of our family, and very precious to us.
I hope all will go well with your little one's settling in - what is his/her name - or haven't you decided yet?
Very best wishes from Angie

Hi Angie she is called penny, we are all new to this lol, she is scratching at her tortoise table at mo hoping this is normal , all the temps are correct. Zola sounds a very happy happy .

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hi Angie she is called penny, we are all new to this lol, she is scratching at her tortoise table at mo hoping this is normal , all the temps are correct. Zola sounds a very happy happy .

What kind of bulbs is it you have?

 

[Hannahflove]

What kind of bulbs is it you have?

A screw in uv bulb I got with a starter kit.

 

[zolasmum]

Hi Angie she is called penny, we are all new to this lol, she is scratching at her tortoise table at mo hoping this is normal , all the temps are correct. Zola sounds a very happy happy .

Penny is bound to be very confused and unsettled at first - I would you suggest you don't try to pick her up or move her about more than necessary for a few days - just put food and water for her, but don't worry if she doesn't want to eat - she may just stay in her hide all the time until she feels safe enough to come out.
Angie