Hi all,
After much consideration I've decided I'd like to add a tortoise to my animal family so now I'm looking into homing and breeds etc.
I think I would like either a Hermann or a Horsfield, I'm not fussy about age or sex so have been looking at rehoming via UK Tortoise Rescue.
I'd be keeping the tortoise predominately indoors and in a tortoise table, never a viv, and during nicer weather I have an outdoor run with plenty of shade that the tortoise could use, which would also allow me to restrict access to any toxic plants.
I came across an interesting thread on another site just now where someone was asking where best to purchase a tortoise table from and someone suggested buying a bookcase and making your own. Is this adviseable? Just had a quick look on Argos for example and a nicer sleek looking bookcase that comes flat packed (so obviously I'd just not use all of the shelves or cut hole in them so the tortoise could wander through) but I'm not sure how deep a book case would need to be so that the tortoise couldn't clamber out. I could use one of the shelves over the top as a shelter also.
Here it is: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produ...:home+and+garden+>+shelves+and+shelving+units Or if black wood would be a problem due to paint/coating on it they have the same bookcase in pine or oak also.
It would probably be a lot cheaper to do that and I do like creating things (I made my own ratty haven out of an XXL dog crate and chicken wire!), and I'd want a joint heat & light source on a timer, I've already got fresh soil available (my mum's a grdener) and various sized water bowls. I've seen tortoise tables, just the table at £75 so a £12.99 bookcase would be ideal - I'm hoping - but that's why I've joined her for some advice.
I'd also appreciate any lighting/heat reccomendations on timers as that's certainly my preference. I'm also keeping an eye out for anyone selling a full tortoise table set up, someone is near to me but the advert is quite old so I'm not expecting that to still be available as they were only asking £35 for the lot. Someone else quite nearby is selling the whole shebang for £75 as well so depends how much the right light costs I guess!
I was supposed to be going to see a tortoise on the Saturday just gone but the woman sold him to someone else before I got there! He would have come with all his set up so it was disappointing but that's why I'm looking into a proper rescue instead because private sellers can and do let you down. I asked about going to see another one this week but the guy selling 'doesn't have time' for me to go over but is selling his tortoise? Erm, what?! So I think I'll let them one go as it'd be a 2.5 hour round trip and seems a bit dodgy.
UK Tortoise Rescue ask to see photos of where the tortoise will live before they'll consider you for rehoming so it's something I'd like to get set up this week and then I'm ready as and when a tortoise becomes available in my area
Thanks in advance for any help/advice - for info I do also have 2 rabbits, a ferret, 3 rats and a dog but the dog would never be anywhere near the tortoise and the rabbits live in a shed at the bottom of the garden and have access to a different run so Mr/Mrs Tortoise won't be bothered by any other animals.
After much consideration I've decided I'd like to add a tortoise to my animal family so now I'm looking into homing and breeds etc.
I think I would like either a Hermann or a Horsfield, I'm not fussy about age or sex so have been looking at rehoming via UK Tortoise Rescue.
I'd be keeping the tortoise predominately indoors and in a tortoise table, never a viv, and during nicer weather I have an outdoor run with plenty of shade that the tortoise could use, which would also allow me to restrict access to any toxic plants.
I came across an interesting thread on another site just now where someone was asking where best to purchase a tortoise table from and someone suggested buying a bookcase and making your own. Is this adviseable? Just had a quick look on Argos for example and a nicer sleek looking bookcase that comes flat packed (so obviously I'd just not use all of the shelves or cut hole in them so the tortoise could wander through) but I'm not sure how deep a book case would need to be so that the tortoise couldn't clamber out. I could use one of the shelves over the top as a shelter also.
Here it is: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produ...:home+and+garden+>+shelves+and+shelving+units Or if black wood would be a problem due to paint/coating on it they have the same bookcase in pine or oak also.
It would probably be a lot cheaper to do that and I do like creating things (I made my own ratty haven out of an XXL dog crate and chicken wire!), and I'd want a joint heat & light source on a timer, I've already got fresh soil available (my mum's a grdener) and various sized water bowls. I've seen tortoise tables, just the table at £75 so a £12.99 bookcase would be ideal - I'm hoping - but that's why I've joined her for some advice.
I'd also appreciate any lighting/heat reccomendations on timers as that's certainly my preference. I'm also keeping an eye out for anyone selling a full tortoise table set up, someone is near to me but the advert is quite old so I'm not expecting that to still be available as they were only asking £35 for the lot. Someone else quite nearby is selling the whole shebang for £75 as well so depends how much the right light costs I guess!
I was supposed to be going to see a tortoise on the Saturday just gone but the woman sold him to someone else before I got there! He would have come with all his set up so it was disappointing but that's why I'm looking into a proper rescue instead because private sellers can and do let you down. I asked about going to see another one this week but the guy selling 'doesn't have time' for me to go over but is selling his tortoise? Erm, what?! So I think I'll let them one go as it'd be a 2.5 hour round trip and seems a bit dodgy.
UK Tortoise Rescue ask to see photos of where the tortoise will live before they'll consider you for rehoming so it's something I'd like to get set up this week and then I'm ready as and when a tortoise becomes available in my area
Thanks in advance for any help/advice - for info I do also have 2 rabbits, a ferret, 3 rats and a dog but the dog would never be anywhere near the tortoise and the rabbits live in a shed at the bottom of the garden and have access to a different run so Mr/Mrs Tortoise won't be bothered by any other animals.
