Hi from the beautiful county of Yorkshire, England

[BritishSoldier]

My name’s ‘H’. I own a 9 year old, beautiful Eastern Hermanns Tortoise. (I’ve just bought ‘it’, (not sure if it’s a girl or boy), a new tortoise table, as it managed to dig a hole through its last enclosure.)

I’ve joined the forum to:
- Find out about optimum temperatures for my tortoises new environment.
- Use of heat mat.
- Sexing my tortoise

I’ll also look forward to conversing with like minded animal lovers.

HELLO!


(‘Sponge’ the tortoise)


(There’s still some work to do on the table)

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome!

And yes, you're right - that IS a beautiful tortoise.

We have a very good care sheet on the Hermanni tortoise that was written by a very experienced tortoise keeper. You can find it pinned towards the top of our Hermanns section.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Welcome, ive been to Ripon scores of times. Great little Dales market village! Lucky you. Nice tort.

 

[katieandiggy]

Hi and welcome. I am in Suffolk. Never been to Yorkshire!
Can you take a picture of your tortoise from the rear and also the plastron.

 

[Opuntia]

Hi and welcome.
I also have a 9yr old Eastern Hermann, had him 20 months. Great little tortoise love him to bits.

 

[BritishSoldier]

Hi and welcome. I am in Suffolk. Never been to Yorkshire!
Can you take a picture of your tortoise from the rear and also the plastron.

Hi Katie. Thank you.

Please see requested photos.

 

[Maro2Bear]

I would mske a few tweaks to your enclosure. Your CHE probably isnt very effective way up there the way it is hanging, you might look to lowering it do it can warm a larger area. A lot of heat/warmth is radiating upwards, not down. The substrate you have there comes with those calcium/perlite bits which unfortunately encourages torts to pick and peck and eat their substrate.
You will probably want to swap it out.

If you havent found the guide.... https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

 

[BritishSoldier]

I would mske a few tweaks to your enclosure. Your CHE probably isnt very effective way up there the way it is hanging, you might look to lowering it do it can warm a larger area. A lot of heat/warmth is radiating upwards, not down. The substrate you have there comes with those calcium/perlite bits which unfortunately encourages torts to pick and peck and eat their substrate.
You will probably want to swap it out.

If you havent found the guide.... https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

Hi @Maro2Bear.
Thanks for the info.

Could you please tell me what CHE stands for, and what is a substrate?

Respect & regards,



H

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi @Maro2Bear.
Thanks for the info.

Could you please tell me what CHE stands for, and what is a substrate?

Respect & regards,



H

CHE - Ceramic Heat Emitter:

 

[Yvonne G]

OOPS - I forgot 'substrate'.

Substrate is the dirt you cover the floor of the enclosure with. I prefer orchid bark, the fine grade, because it is not harmful to the tortoise, is easy for them to walk on and seems to stay clean longer.

 

[BritishSoldier]

OOPS - I forgot 'substrate'.

Substrate is the dirt you cover the floor of the enclosure with. I prefer orchid bark, the fine grade, because it is not harmful to the tortoise, is easy for them to walk on and seems to stay clean longer.

Can you give m a link to your chosen ‘substrate’ please?

 

[BritishSoldier]

CHE - Ceramic Heat Emitter:

View attachment 270887

That is Yvonne.

At the moment I have this one:

 

[BritishSoldier]

That is Yvonne.

At the moment I have this one:

View attachment 270890 View attachment 270891 View attachment 270892

I meant ‘Thanks Yvonne’. Damn this predictive tuxedo

 

[katieandiggy]

You can get it from Pets at Home or if you have any reptile shops nearby they will sell it, I buy it cheaper from my local reptile shop.

The stuff you have I think is tortoise terrain? Basically they try to eat the white bits in it but they end up eating the substrate and it can cause a blockage. Not sure if it had sand in it too, sand is really bad for the eyes.

 

[katieandiggy]

Just noticed that I don’t see a basking bulb in your enclosure? Not sure if it’s hidden by the side?

The basking temperature should be around 95-97.

This is mine, I use half coco coir (which is messy) and half orchid bark.

You could add some plants, real or fake I have a mixture of both.

Some of the favourites I’ve found are pansies, petunia, campanula (is the fav) hibiscus

also if you look on eBay there is a shop called shelled warriors and they sell seeds you can plant on the windowsill And grow.


also forgot to add I think your tortoise is a female.

 

[Lyn W]

Hi and welcome, I'm in Wales.
The caresheet will be invaluable in helping you get the temps, substrate, humidity and especially the diet right - many people think they can just throw some lettuce and fruit in for their tort, but neither are good for them. www.thetortoisetable.org.uk is a good guide to tort safe foods too.
The Beginners Mistakes thread will also help you avoid problems encountered by others.
I use a wide dome on my che and basking bulb so that the heat is directed down and not lost as it rises. I bought mine from the Range.
If you do get a basking bulb don't go for the coiled or cfl type loopy bulbs as these can damage tort eyes.The Range also sell basking and daylight spot bulbs.
Heat mats as sold for reptiles here in UK aren't really recommended for torts especially under substrate.
Your enclosure is OK but it's a bit on the small side for an older tort, 4 x 8 feet is the minimum recommended for young adults. Do you have a safe outside enclosure for your tort to get some time with real uvb and more space? Have a look at the Enclosures thread for ideas on how to make it tort and predator proof.
I think your tort is a female judging by the tail - but I could be wrong - I have a male leopard called Lola!
Enjoy finding out all about tortoise care and ask as many questions as you need someone will be around to help and point you in the right direction.

 

[Ray--Opo]

Welcome! Beautiful tort.

 

[BritishSoldier]

View attachment 270898

Just noticed that I don’t see a basking bulb in your enclosure? Not sure if it’s hidden by the side?

The basking temperature should be around 95-97.

This is mine, I use half coco coir (which is messy) and half orchid bark.

You could add some plants, real or fake I have a mixture of both.

Some of the favourites I’ve found are pansies, petunia, campanula (is the fav) hibiscus

also if you look on eBay there is a shop called shelled warriors and they sell seeds you can plant on the windowsill And grow.


also forgot to add I think your tortoise is a female.

Great ad use. Thank you

 

[BritishSoldier]

Great ad use. Thank you

Great advise. Thank you.

 

[BritishSoldier]

Hi and welcome, I'm in Wales.
The caresheet will be invaluable in helping you get the temps, substrate, humidity and especially the diet right - many people think they can just throw some lettuce and fruit in for their tort, but neither are good for them. www.thetortoisetable.org.uk is a good guide to tort safe foods too.
The Beginners Mistakes thread will also help you avoid problems encountered by others.
I use a wide dome on my che and basking bulb so that the heat is directed down and not lost as it rises. I bought mine from the Range.
If you do get a basking bulb don't go for the coiled or cfl type loopy bulbs as these can damage tort eyes.The Range also sell basking and daylight spot bulbs.
Heat mats as sold for reptiles here in UK aren't really recommended for torts especially under substrate.
Your enclosure is OK but it's a bit on the small side for an older tort, 4 x 8 feet is the minimum recommended for young adults. Do you have a safe outside enclosure for your tort to get some time with real uvb and more space? Have a look at the Enclosures thread for ideas on how to make it tort and predator proof.
I think your tort is a female judging by the tail - but I could be wrong - I have a male leopard called Lola!
Enjoy finding out all about tortoise care and ask as many questions as you need someone will be around to help and point you in the right direction.

Thank you for the advise.