Common keeping errors

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you for this information. My whole tortoise set up is wrong. What is the ideal diet for a herman tortoise? What substrate shoild I be using? What kind of lamp? Should I use a heat pad? My tortoise is in an open top enclosure as he out grew the terrarium. Seems like we should put him back until he is bigger. He is nearly 3.is there a list on here of what we should be using?

No problem, glad you’ve found it helpful!

Hopefully this one is useful for you, this thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers, maybe one of the topper options might work for his current one?

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 different closed chamber options, some do work better than others

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

Hope they come in handy!

 

[NamedNut]

@Littleredfootbigredheart Again... another amazing post that you've put together. You should be very proud of the work you've done. I've been getting caught up and am blown away by how user friendly and easily digestible your posts like this have been. A++++++++++.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

@Littleredfootbigredheart Again... another amazing post that you've put together. You should be very proud of the work you've done. I've been getting caught up and am blown away by how user friendly and easily digestible your posts like this have been. A++++++++++.

Comments like this mean the absolute world! Thank you so much! I couldn’t have done them without the forum’s support and wisdom, I’m so glad folks find them useful

 

[samluvstorts]

I love this!!! I wish it had little pictures of what we should use… a clear visual is always great

 

[mojo_1]

I love this!!! I wish it had little pictures of what we should use… a clear visual is always great

Did you click on the links? There is pictures of what to use.

 

[samluvstorts]

Did you click on the links? There is pictures of what to use.

Oh really thank you!!

 

[mojo_1]

Oh really thank you!!

You're welcome.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I love this!!! I wish it had little pictures of what we should use… a clear visual is always great

So glad you like it! As mojo mentioned there’s visuals in the housing link of the things to use

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

 

[tortoising2025]

Also just to add, some of these I didn’t even know were hazards myself before joining this forum! Most of the information on this thread, I’ve learnt from the amazing members here

This is an eye opener thankyou

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

This is an eye opener thankyou

No problem! Glad you like it

 

[Jschmit06]

Also just to add, some of these I didn’t even know were hazards myself before joining this forum! Most of the information on this thread, I’ve learnt from the amazing members here

I’m a new owner and this was so helpful. Found I was doing several things wrong already. I know this had to be a lot of work! What if you had one for good things to have and best suggestions like the lights and substrates and more. As a brand new owner who didn’t really know anything or wear to start(I know first mistake) that type of forum would be fantastic.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I’m a new owner and this was so helpful. Found I was doing several things wrong already. I know this had to be a lot of work! What if you had one for good things to have and best suggestions like the lights and substrates and more. As a brand new owner who didn’t really know anything or wear to start(I know first mistake) that type of forum would be fantastic.

Aw I’m so glad you’ve found this useful! I have a bunch of different housing threads that include all the correct items, levels, sizing etc, let me know what species it is you have and if they’re a baby/adult, and I’ll be more than happy to link you to the correct care sheet

 

[Jschmit06]

Aw I’m so glad you’ve found this useful! I have a bunch of different housing threads that include all the correct items, levels, sizing etc, let me know what species it is you have and if they’re a baby/adult, and I’ll be more than happy to link you to the correct care sheet

That would be amazing I’m still trying to figure this site out! I have a hatchling (I think) she is 2.5-3 months old red footed tortoise.

Aw I’m so glad you’ve found this useful! I have a bunch of different housing threads that include all the correct items, levels, sizing etc, let me know what species it is you have and if they’re a baby/adult, and I’ll be more than happy to link you to the correct care sheet

 

[Jschmit06]

Here are some pictures of how adorable she is

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

That would be amazing I’m still trying to figure this site out! I have a hatchling (I think) she is 2.5-3 months old red footed tortoise.

How cute! Red foots are my favourites! she is a cutie pie!

Here’s my care sheet for baby red foots, it covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for red foots(only way to maintain the humidity you need indoors), appropriately maintaining the humidity(they are prone to shell rot so this is important! No misters or humidifiers), safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, a diet list and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers

Housing older red foot/cherryhead

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to go over an example of an appropriate indoor red foot/cherryhead enclosure. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure(especially the size these guys get!) I understand being from the uk myself, that some climate’s make it...

tortoiseforum.org

These are different closed chamber examples, some do work better than others

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

Hope they help! Please feel free to ask any further questions on them

 

[Jschmit06]

How cute! Red foots are my favourites! she is a cutie pie!

Here’s my care sheet for baby red foots, it covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for red foots(only way to maintain the humidity you need indoors), appropriately maintaining the humidity(they are prone to shell rot so this is important! No misters or humidifiers), safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, a diet list and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers

Housing older red foot/cherryhead

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to go over an example of an appropriate indoor red foot/cherryhead enclosure. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure(especially the size these guys get!) I understand being from the uk myself, that some climate’s make it...

tortoiseforum.org

These are different closed chamber examples, some do work better than others

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

Hope they help! Please feel free to ask any further questions on them

Thank you so much!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you so much!

No problem at all, welcome to the forum