Complete newbie here looking for help

[David1983]

Hi all
For years I have been interested in looking after a Tortoise. I have been looking at a horsefield tortoise as these seems to be a good place to start. I live in the South of England and there is a pet shop near me offering a starter pack and animal for £199. I have been reading up alot and seems to be mixed reviews for buying from a pet shop. I have also found a picture on here which I have attached showing a plastic indoor housing which would save alot of money and wonder if this would be acceptable. If not I would be looking at a table with storage space to store items needed etc. I also have a graden with artificial grass (for my two young kids) but if this isnt great I am more than willing to buy a few rolls of turf and turf an area for outdoor use and something to nibble on.

Any help would be great
Thanks
David

 

[Gillian M]

A very warm welcome to the forum! And I like that enclosure.

 

[David1983]

It just seems a plastic box like that is £10-15 or a table like the link is £50-60

http://www.bluelizardreptiles.co.uk...r2S4FQZK0N45NQvyPs1H67EusTP8yOKU82RoCoOrw_wcB

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Hello and welcome. It's good that you're doing your research first, before you bring the tortoise home. Horsefields are personable and charming, and good first tortoises.

Pet stores are notorious for selling unnecessary and inappropriate equipment, and giving bad advice. I distrust their starter kit, and so should you. What are they offering? We'll help you with a checklist

The lovely table is too small for an adult. Consider building your own. Plastic boxes are quite suitable and have the advantage of being easily linked together for expansion. RTs are climbers, so make sure the walls are high enough.

The substrate in the photo is not appropriate.

Artificial turf isn't appropriate. A raised bed would work well, allowing him to dig down as well as graze.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Welcome!
Yes. read first. the "starter pack" is likely a lot of stuff that you wont be able to use.

 

[David1983]

Thanks for the replies. I have spoken with my local tortoise organisation were you can adopt so will use these as offer more support. I raised bed would work well and been told a rabbit cage would work well indoors and keep the kids away from the light etc.
The start kit from memory was
Tortoise
Table
Lamp
Food mix ( been told to avoid)
Water bowl
Wood chippings
A few plastic plants I think

There were a few other things but cant remember

 

[Yvonne G]

I like that plastic box, but be sure you get the one with the biggest floor space. Russian tortoises need a lot of room to wander. And keeping him outside is even better. Kits usually aren't big enough and sometimes contain materials that aren't needed or are harmful. Better to buy it all separately.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello David, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
See http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/russian-tortoises.81/
for lots of up to date info on keeping Russian tortoises.
Read, learn, contribute ask questions and have fun!

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome David! So glad you found us BEFORE the pet store sold you all the wrong stuff! This will save you so much frustration and wasted money.

1. Wood chips are not suitable for substrate. They need something that can be kept a little damp. Orchid bark or coco coir work the best. Almost everyone over there uses this substrate from Pets At Home with little limestone bits in it. This is a huge mistake and just bad thinking. A tortoise should not be encouraged to eat its substrate when it has a calcium craving.
2. Plastic tubs work fine for babies, but older torts need much more room. 4x8' is a good minimum size for an indoor adult russian enclosure.
3. No astro turf outside. The tortoise might try to eat it and become impacted. Best to have a dirt enclosure with some plants for shade and grazing. Go big!
4. The bowls sold at pet stores are not suitable for tortoises. The sides are too tall and steep. Terra cotta plant saucers sunk into the substrate work best.
5. Pet stores almost always want to sell you a coil type cfl UV bulb. These sometimes burn tortoise eyes and should never be used. Frankly they aren't a very effective UV source anyway.
6. Don't let them talk you into two tortoises. They do best all alone and do not need or want companionship.

Please read these to get you up to speed. What you learn in these threads will help avoid the common pet shop pitfalls.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/pairs.34837/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Ceramic plant saucers make good water dishes. The proper bulbs are expensive, but well worth it. Think of all the money you'll save by not buying useless pet store junk.

The previous post is right on.

 

[Carol S]

Welcome to the Forum. Russian tortoises are great climbers and escape artists (even hatchlngs). Without a top even a hatchling will climb up on the plants that are next to the edges of the container and get out and hurt and/or lost. You can take the top that came with the container and cut out the majority of the plastic; leaving enough of a border to attach some hardware cloth or something similar that will allow the UBV rays to pass through and keep the tortoise in.

 

[crimson_lotus]

About that rabbit cage idea - I would not purchase that as an enclosure as it would let both heat and humidity escape readily, plus having exposed sides so the tortoise can see out will just fuel his desire to try and escape. I would go with a large plastic bin or make your own larger enclosure. If you are interested in a baby, they do need to have humidity for their shell to grow properly and to keep them hydrated. Even adults should never be kept in a bone dry enclosure. Always provide water and like Tom said above, moisten the substrate.