I need help! I set up what I thought was an idea tortoise table but have now been told it’s not ideal! I did spend a fair bit on everything but obviously I don’t want my little guy having any problems and want to give him the best. So could you all tell me what or how you would improve this?
Help!! Horsfield tortoise
- Thread starter Shannon99
- Start date
Welcome to the forum. What type of tortoise do you have and age? What is your substrate? What lights are you using? You came to the right place for help.
Hello and welcome!
You may start with reading this post: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/info-for-new-people-please-read-this-first.202363/ and care sheet for temperate species linked there. It's a great guide for everyone who wants the best for their tortoises.
Can you post some pictures of your tortoise so we know its age? Care is different for babies and adults.
Speaking of the enclosure, there are few things which should be addressed:
1. Lightning and heating. If your tortoise has no access to natural sun it needs good source of UVB. T5 HO tubes (like Arcadia ProT5 Desert 12% or ZooMed Reptisun 10.0) are long-lasting, safe and easy to set up properly. Good basking bulb is the second point - a flood incandescent lamp in a wide dome is what works really good. More details are in the post I've linked (look for the Heating/Lightning Breakdown section in the end).
2. Substrate. If it's a soil or sand, likely you will need to replace it. If it's a coco coir - hand-pack it to make less dusty and messy.
3. What is the size of the table?
4. I would not use sharp rocks - walking over them again and again can damage plastron.
Besides lightning and suspicious substrate there are no reasons to panic, however there are other things to be improved.
Hey! I have a horsfield tortoise, who is roughly about 4/5 months the table and lamps were gifted to me one is a ceramic heat lamp and one is I think a uva/uvb lamp 50w the substrate is Westfield top soil. There is so much confusing contradicting information I am aware now it’s completely wrong by the fb groups but no solid info on how to rectify it! X
Check the link I've posted for solid and up to date info. It's a lot to read but totally worth it.
For baby tortoises go with coco coir (aka coco peat, soil-like substance, usually sold in bricks to rehydrate them). It should be available in gardening stores cheaper than in pet shops.
However, can you post a photo of your tortoise? Pet shops sometimes sell adult wild-caught Russian tortoises as "young 4-5 m.o."
Do not get info from FB, a pet store or even your vet for care, they do not know the right stuff
The size of enclosure is fine if you really have a hatchling. If it was purchased from a pet store, it's likely much older in years
The substrate and lighting both needs to be replaced
If it's a hatchling, it needs a top put over the enclosure and humidity of 80%. You can rig a plastic cover over the enclosure or buy a pop up greenhouse to put over it. Keeping all lights and heat inside the cover.
Also switch out the water dish for a low sided clay saucer.
Post a pic of your tort.
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Yes, it's not a hatchling. Maybe not fully grown but an adult. She (I guess here because I can't see long tail on the photos) needs around 30 sq.ft. (or more) of space, ideally outdoors.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Could you send a photo of it's underside so we can determine the sex and age more precise. Also, if possible, try measuring the bottom of it's shell from tail to neck.
I agree it doesn't look like a hatchling. Hard to tell it's size in the photo but it's shell doesn't look like a few months old. Pet stores lie about the ages cuz they have no clue. They likely either use the amount of time they had it as it's age or they just pick a few months old cuz they sell faster.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Yeah and if it is wild caught, the papers might read the date of birth as the date of capture and the pet store employees might believe this. But if OP could send a photo of the tail we could determine whether it is a fully grown male or a juvenile female.
In the US, tortoises at places like Petco are not sold with "papers", just FYI
Don't worry about her. If you stay with us, you will get all the correct information and your little girl will do well. She needs time to settle down in her nice enclosure with all the right "stuff" and the proper diet. She is not happy now, being moved from where she was before...give her a week or two and as I said, stay with us!
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Welcome from Devon -I have various relatives in Wigan and know it fairly well. I'm so glad you joined the forum - you will find all the answers you need from experts, and lots of kind friends to talk about tortoises with.
Angie
Angie
I’ve taken all your recommendations on board and have all right stuff on the way soon! Are you saying she’s definitely a little miss? As we have called him Sheldon from bringing him home so is she a Shelly do you know how old she is?
Thank you!! I just want to make her happy and help her thrive I I just want to do what’s best! X
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