Horsefield Tortoise Owners!

[laura1986]

Please can someone help me! Cut a long story short we now have a new edition to our family at first I was told we were getting a Hemann tortoise female (so I did my research) turns out we have a male Horsefield tortoise. I've tried to research as much as possible, but I'm on day one. The previous owners believed he was 12yrs old, told me the wrong species and sex. I would be so appreciative is any Horsefield tortoise owners could please give me some advice and tips, as I want to give this neglected animal (Henry) the best life. I was so worried today! We let him explore the garden and then he spent hours in his bathing pool. I had read that it was dangerous to spend to long in there, so lifted him out and he started snapping and having ago at me! He then got right back in! When it was bed time and time to come in he was very unsettled and wanted to climb out. After being in his indoor enclosure we noticed he was very damp and dirty from his enclosure/water bowl, so we bathed him in the sink. (Loved it! Just lied there chilling) After drying and putting to bed, he finally settled. He's not accepting any fresh foods in his enclosure, had a nibble on some weeds in the garden. It's becoming very clear that the previous owners just gave him pet food! And It's becoming more and more apparent that he hasn't come from the most loving home. Please can any Horsefield owners help me out. I really want to give this little guy the best life

 

[RandyTortoise]

Please can someone help me! Cut a long story short we now have a new edition to our family at first I was told we were getting a Hemann tortoise female (so I did my research) turns out we have a male Horsefield tortoise. I've tried to research as much as possible, but I'm on day one. The previous owners believed he was 12yrs old, told me the wrong species and sex. I would be so appreciative is any Horsefield tortoise owners could please give me some advice and tips, as I want to give this neglected animal (Henry) the best life. I was so worried today! We let him explore the garden and then he spent hours in his bathing pool. I had read that it was dangerous to spend to long in there, so lifted him out and he started snapping and having ago at me! He then got right back in! When it was bed time and time to come in he was very unsettled and wanted to climb out. After being in his indoor enclosure we noticed he was very damp and dirty from his enclosure/water bowl, so we bathed him in the sink. (Loved it! Just lied there chilling) After drying and putting to bed, he finally settled. He's not accepting any fresh foods in his enclosure, had a nibble on some weeds in the garden. It's becoming very clear that the previous owners just gave him pet food! And It's becoming more and more apparent that he hasn't come from the most loving home. Please can any Horsefield owners help me out. I really want to give this little guy the best life

I am so glad he is with you! Many tortoise ms are mistreated and misfed. He sounds like he has a really fun personality to be honest. Each tortoise literally has differences in their behavior and personality and yours sounds pretty cool!
After being moved you are doing the right thing. Soak him, bath him, keep him warm and give him actual food that is good for him!
You are doing a great job so far!
I personally don’t know a lot about Russian tortoises so others will weigh in.
I just wanted to let you have my thoughts!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello! Hopefully these links will help you out

great one for new comers

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

Toms care guide

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

This one covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, I’d double check bulb types), sizing(you can get away with slightly smaller indoors if you can build a larger outdoor space when weather permits, but still sizeable, bigger the better) appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out!

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it. I know the recommended adult size is intimidating to some, especially if you’ve been lead into thinking he’ll be fine in a smaller set up(very common) but tortoises long term health really does rely on lots of roaming room. If you’re unable to go that big, go as big as possible

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

This one here is good to go over and keep on hand, 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! Feel free to ask any further questions, there’s always someone to help break any information down, welcome to the forum

 

[laura1986]

Hello! Hopefully these links will help you out

great one for new comers

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

Toms care guide

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

This one covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, I’d double check bulb types), sizing(you can get away with slightly smaller indoors if you can build a larger outdoor space when weather permits, but still sizeable, bigger the better) appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out!

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it. I know the recommended adult size is intimidating to some, especially if you’ve been lead into thinking he’ll be fine in a smaller set up(very common) but tortoises long term health really does rely on lots of roaming room. If you’re unable to go that big, go as big as possible

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

This one here is good to go over and keep on hand, 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! Feel free to ask any further questions, there’s always someone to help break any information down, welcome to the forum

Thank you

 

[laura1986]

I am so glad he is with you! Many tortoise ms are mistreated and misfed. He sounds like he has a really fun personality to be honest. Each tortoise literally has differences in their behavior and personality and yours sounds pretty cool!
After being moved you are doing the right thing. Soak him, bath him, keep him warm and give him actual food that is good for him!
You are doing a great job so far!
I personally don’t know a lot about Russian tortoises so others will weigh in.
I just wanted to let you have my thoughts!

Aww thank you, I really appreciate your kind words

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Welcome to the forum!

It may take a while to get him eating healthy again, as it isn't what he is used to. Also, moving to a new home is stressful to tortoises, and many lose appetite for a while.

It sounds like you may have gotten lucky, as most Horsefields dislike soaking AND dehydration related complications are common for them.

Would love to see photos of Henry!

 

[MaNaAk]

Welcome Laura!

I'm Natrah from Essex and I have an 89 year old Greek Spur-thighed Tortoise called Jacky but I want to introduce you to @zolasmum who has a little Hermann's Tortoise called Zola. @zolasmum may be able to advise you on care for your little one.

Natrah

 

[zolasmum]

Welcome Laura!

I'm Natrah from Essex and I have an 89 year old Greek Spur-thighed Tortoise called Jacky but I want to introduce you to @zolasmum who has a little Hermann's Tortoise called Zola. @zolasmum may be able to advise you on care for your little one.

Natrah

Hello Laura and welcome. One thing you need to know,if you have a Horsefields tortoise, is that they are very talented escapers! They are very good and imaginative at this, so any sort of enclosure has to be very carefully thought out to avoid it - and also he needs to be checked regularly to make sure he hasn't managed to tip himself on his back while trying to climb out somehow. However, he may be so happy to be with you that he won't try anything like this just yet. I think with food he almost certainly will like cucumber, and probably lettuce too - maybe wrapping these around more nutritious foods will encourage him to gradually accept them. It may take him some time to adapt, though.
He sounds like a great character, and I'm sure he will settle and be happy with you in a while.
Best wishes from Angie

 

[Archsway]

Please can someone help me! Cut a long story short we now have a new edition to our family at first I was told we were getting a Hemann tortoise female (so I did my research) turns out we have a male Horsefield tortoise. I've tried to research as much as possible, but I'm on day one. The previous owners believed he was 12yrs old, told me the wrong species and sex. I would be so appreciative is any Horsefield tortoise owners could please give me some advice and tips, as I want to give this neglected animal (Henry) the best life. I was so worried today! We let him explore the garden and then he spent hours in his bathing pool. I had read that it was dangerous to spend to long in there, so lifted him out and he started snapping and having ago at me! He then got right back in! When it was bed time and time to come in he was very unsettled and wanted to climb out. After being in his indoor enclosure we noticed he was very damp and dirty from his enclosure/water bowl, so we bathed him in the sink. (Loved it! Just lied there chilling) After drying and putting to bed, he finally settled. He's not accepting any fresh foods in his enclosure, had a nibble on some weeds in the garden. It's becoming very clear that the previous owners just gave him pet food! And It's becoming more and more apparent that he hasn't come from the most loving home. Please can any Horsefield owners help me out. I really want to give this little guy the best life

I have two Russian tortoises. They like to eat Romaine lettuce, Kale and dandelion. Mine were both often from rescues. Both are about 10 years old. One is a female and one is a male. One likes to soak and the other doesn’t. They were skittish when I first got them but are now very friendly.

 

[MaNaAk]

I have two Russian tortoises. They like to eat Romaine lettuce, Kale and dandelion. Mine were both often from rescues. Both are about 10 years old. One is a female and one is a male. One likes to soak and the other doesn’t. They were skittish when I first got them but are now very friendly.

After 89 years Jacky still shoves and kicks when I pick her up as did Daisy (1942 - 2022).

Natrah

 

[laura1986]

Welcome to the forum!

It may take a while to get him eating healthy again, as it isn't what he is used to. Also, moving to a new home is stressful to tortoises, and many lose appetite for a while.

It sounds like you may have gotten lucky, as most Horsefields dislike soaking AND dehydration related complications are common for them.

Would love to see photos of Henry!

 

[laura1986]

Our little Henry . He's doing much better thank you. After a few days he's final eating some greens. Thank you for your advice.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Our little Henry . He's doing much better thank you. After a few days he's final eating some greens. Thank you for your advice.

It just probably took him time to settle!