General Help Please

[LeahBelgium]

Hi all I’m a newbie tortoise owner from England.
Meet Terence (named after my late fathers middle name) the marginal tortoise born July 2033.

Could anyone help me with a list of safe foods please at the moment we have tort pellets, kale, lambs lettuce, Lemmon balm as advised but would like a list of foods that can be purchased in an everyday shop - particularly in the UK.

Sorry if this is posted elsewhere couldn’t find a post specific to Marginals.

Thanks

 

[LeahBelgium]

Newbie marginal tort owner in UK.
I know opinions will differ but can I have some advice on the starter set up bought from the breeder please.
Everything is set up as instructed and the following items bought:

- Starter kit with heat lamp, coco coir substrate, water bowl, calci dust

I have added a hide and thermometers with degree and humidity readings (what’s ideal?).

Sphagnum moss brought but not added in, just looks very bare - making hills from the substrate currently

We are very happy with it but after reading through some posts not sure if more is needed.

Thanks

 

[TammyJ]

Hi and welcome! You will soon get some expert advice. But the moss is not a good substrate according to what I have learned here. It can be a problem if eaten.

 

[TammyJ]

As I said in your other post, welcome to you. Also to your futuristic (2033) marginal (?) tortoise. I think you meant 2023 Marginated tortoise !

 

[wellington]

First bury the water dish level with substrate.
You can add some safe plants but only one or two as the tort needs room to roam.
Never use moss or sand.

 

[Yvonne G]

Almost any leafy greens sold in the produce section of your grocery store would be fine to feed your marginated tortoise. . . endive, escarole, raddichio, turnip and mustard greens, dandelion, kale. You can also feed plants like mulberry leaves, grape leaves, etc. But don't just choose one or two from the list. Variety is key.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello and welcome!

Just wondering if you’d mind answering some questions? It’s great to check in with newer members

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
Are you using indoor uv? If so what kind?
What level is your humidity currently?
It looks like you have coco husk substrate which isn’t appropriate unfortunately, the fibres can block them up if eaten! You want to get orchid bark

In the meantime hopefully you’ll find this indoor housing thread I made useful, I know it says herman and Russian, but care is very similar, though I believe you want day ambient temp more in the 80-85 range instead of 75-80, it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of a closed chamber, appropriately maintaining humidity, 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!

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 more closed chamber options

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!

 

[LeahBelgium]

As I said in your other post, welcome to you. Also to your futuristic (2033) marginal (?) tortoise. I think you meant 2023 Marginated tortoise !

Haha futuristic indeed that needed to be re-read autocorrect was clearly not my friend!

 

[LeahBelgium]

Hello and welcome!

Just wondering if you’d mind answering some questions? It’s great to check in with newer members

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
Are you using indoor uv? If so what kind?
What level is your humidity currently?
It looks like you have coco husk substrate which isn’t appropriate unfortunately, the fibres can block them up if eaten! You want to get orchid bark

In the meantime hopefully you’ll find this indoor housing thread I made useful, I know it says herman and Russian, but care is very similar, though I believe you want day ambient temp more in the 80-85 range instead of 75-80, it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of a closed chamber, appropriately maintaining humidity, 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!

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 more closed chamber options

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!

Thank you so much I’ll definitely take some time reading through it, I’m concerned as they sold it as coco coir coarse and fine mix so I’ll definitely be going back. I’ll pop the info to the rest in another message later on but wanted to thank you for your informative response

 

[LeahBelgium]

Almost any leafy greens sold in the produce section of your grocery store would be fine to feed your marginated tortoise. . . endive, escarole, raddichio, turnip and mustard greens, dandelion, kale. You can also feed plants like mulberry leaves, grape leaves, etc. But don't just choose one or two from the list. Variety is key.

Thank you! I’ve downloaded the The Tortoise Table Database app is this reputable and good to go by?

 

[Yvonne G]

Thank you! I’ve downloaded the The Tortoise Table Database app is this reputable and good to go by?

Yes

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you! I’ve downloaded the The Tortoise Table Database app is this reputable and good to go by?

Yeah it’s a great source!

 

[LeahBelgium]

Hello and welcome!

Just wondering if you’d mind answering some questions? It’s great to check in with newer members

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
Are you using indoor uv? If so what kind?
What level is your humidity currently?
It looks like you have coco husk substrate which isn’t appropriate unfortunately, the fibres can block them up if eaten! You want to get orchid bark

In the meantime hopefully you’ll find this indoor housing thread I made useful, I know it says herman and Russian, but care is very similar, though I believe you want day ambient temp more in the 80-85 range instead of 75-80, it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of a closed chamber, appropriately maintaining humidity, 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!

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 more closed chamber options

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!

Overall heat temp in the room in the day is 18-20 max and doesn’t go lower than 16 at night.
The basking temp directly under the lamp is currently showing as 28 degrees Celsius and is still currently going up I’ve attached a pic they advised setting this up at least 6 inches above the basking area but they recommend 10inches in their care sheet.
The “hot side” is 29 degrees the thermometer is about 5 inches away from the base of the heat lamp and is 47% humidity.
The cool side is 20.2 degrees and 59% humidity they recommend between 17 to 22 degrees and advise that it may drop to 14 - 17 degrees at night which is fine as it would naturally do this in an outdoor environment but if it drops below it they recommend using a ceramic heat emitting bulb (Celsius).
I’ve buried the water bowl now.
I’ve attached the order to show the brand/names of the substrate bought etc.
we’ve been advised from their care sheet you can use a UV strip light and a separate basking bulb (we don’t have) or a combined mercury vapour basking lamp which provides both heat and UVA/UVB and as advised in the care sheet it’s left on for 10-12 hours a day.
This is what we’ve bought in the package:

This complete package includes,

Marginated Tortoise

Standard Tortoise Table

The Tortoise Den Adjustable Lighting Bracket

Arcadia Ceramic Clamp Lamp 140mm

Arcadia D3 UV Basking Lamp 80w

Water Bowl

Feeding/Claw slate

Vitamin and Mineral powder

Calcium powder

6 Litre Bag of Coco Coir Substrate

Thank you

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Thank you! I’ve downloaded the The Tortoise Table Database app is this reputable and good to go by?

It is reputable and user friendly, the only thing is that is is sometimes overly cautious, which isn't necessary a con in my opinion.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Overall heat temp in the room in the day is 18-20 max and doesn’t go lower than 16 at night.
The basking temp directly under the lamp is currently showing as 28 degrees Celsius and is still currently going up I’ve attached a pic they advised setting this up at least 6 inches above the basking area but they recommend 10inches in their care sheet.
The “hot side” is 29 degrees the thermometer is about 5 inches away from the base of the heat lamp and is 47% humidity.
The cool side is 20.2 degrees and 59% humidity they recommend between 17 to 22 degrees and advise that it may drop to 14 - 17 degrees at night which is fine as it would naturally do this in an outdoor environment but if it drops below it they recommend using a ceramic heat emitting bulb (Celsius).
I’ve buried the water bowl now.
I’ve attached the order to show the brand/names of the substrate bought etc.
we’ve been advised from their care sheet you can use a UV strip light and a separate basking bulb (we don’t have) or a combined mercury vapour basking lamp which provides both heat and UVA/UVB and as advised in the care sheet it’s left on for 10-12 hours a day.
This is what we’ve bought in the package:

This complete package includes,

Marginated Tortoise

Standard Tortoise Table

The Tortoise Den Adjustable Lighting Bracket

Arcadia Ceramic Clamp Lamp 140mm

Arcadia D3 UV Basking Lamp 80w

Water Bowl

Feeding/Claw slate

Vitamin and Mineral powder

Calcium powder

6 Litre Bag of Coco Coir Substrate

Thank you

I’m afraid a lot of the care information they’ve given you is quite questionable, which isn’t uncommon unfortunately and I’m sorry you’ve been sold some of the wrong stuff, it’s happens so often and we have to let newer members know

First up, your basking temperature needs to be reaching 95-100f(35-37c) directly under the bulb, the safest most efficient option is an incandescent reptile floodlight, MBV bulbs or any kind of compact all in one uv bulbs aren’t the safest or most effective choice for multiple reasons(check common error thread) they can create uv hot spots that hurt the tortoises eyes, they don’t disperse the uv light over a large enough area, it’s much more concentrated, with the uv timing, every other source of information will tell you 12hours of uv. This is essentially an old fashioned rule that has stuck with a lot of keepers, it stems from the presumption that once the basking light or ambient lighting is on, ie the ‘sun’, that uv must coexist the same amount of hours. Fact is, uv rays only peak for a few hours a day, anyone with a uv meter will confirm this. No tortoise is blasted with 12 hours of uv in the wild, therefore it’s not necessary in captivity. With all in one’s there’s no choice, whilst it’s not overly harmful for them to have 12hours uv, it’s definitely not natural.
The recommended t5 uv bulbs are much more expensive to replace once their uv strength diminishes, so it’s definitely best having it on a 4 hour timer that provides them with all the uv they need, saving your bulb life.
Then some cheaper led lighting for your ambient 12 hour light cycle as well as the basking light on the same 12hrs, your ceramics(if needed) will run 24/7 on a thermostat, hopefully that makes more sense when you read the others

Overall day temps should ideally be ranging 80-85f(26-29c), I wouldn’t go lower than 75f on the cooler side during the day. I’d recommend night temperatures staying around 70f(21-22c) for one as young as yours.

For hatchling tortoises you want much higher humidity, more around the 80’s 24/7, this helps aid in smooth growth and cannot be maintained in an open top enclosure.

Hopefully those links will be helpful to read through