NEW MEMBERS

[LGM55]

Good morning All

We are new members family of 4 , Lee , Michelle , Harry and Kasey

We own a tortoise unfortunately we are unable to identify his breed so he is approx 7 now and a lively chap we are just joining to give him the best we can.

I am adding Thomas too a couple of photos and also posted for some lighting advise

Great site too - thanks all , Lee

 

[JoesMum]

Hello and welcome from Kent, UK.

I'm not going to guess the species because I invariably get it wrong. It is one of the Testudo though and the care is broadly the same for these species.

I'll post a lighting summary shortly that should help you

 

[JoesMum]

Here's a lighting summary:

Your tort needs:

1. A basking lamp
This must hang vertically, not at an angle. Basking is essential to raise your tortoise's core temperature so it can digest food.

2. UVB light
Read the instructions for the source to see how close to the substrate it must be. UVB is essential so your tort can process dietary calcium and have healthy bones and shell.

Both 1 and 2 are available from the sun for those able to live outside.

UVB does not pass through glass or perspex(plexiglass) - light must be direct to be effective not through a window. Mesh screening can also interfere with UVB.

3. A minimum overnight temperature (see the care sheet for your species) and complete darkness at night to sleep.


Notes

(a) A Mercury Vapor Bulb (MVB) provides combined UVB and Basking. Alternatively you can use 2 bulbs: a tube UVB and a reflector bulb for basking (a household reflector - not low energy or halogen - from a hardware store will do the job; it's the wattage that counts)

(b) Ignore any references to UVA you may read - it's misleading marketing speak.

(c) Compact coil UVB harms tortoise eyes and must not be used.

(d) Basking and UVB should be on a timer so the light(s) are on for 12 hours a day. Temperature under the basking is regulated by its height above the substrate.

(e) Overnight, depending on your home, you may need additional heat. You get this from a CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter) which must be on a thermostat.

(f) Torts have outstanding colour vision and love red and purple food. Coloured heat lamps colour tank decor and torts don't always apply intelligence to what they eat, resulting them in eating tank decor. Coloured bulbs should not be used.


Measurements

There are 4 important temperatures that you must know for an indoor enclosure.
- Directly under the basking lamp
- Warm side
- Cool side
- Overnight Minimum

You will need digital thermometers for accuracy.

A temperature gun thermometer (inexpensive from Amazon) measures temperature accurately in specific places like directly under the basking lamp.

A min/max thermometer so you know the min/max temperatures in your home by day and night.

You should also get a good digital probe hygrometer to measure humidity.

Thermometers and hygrometer that stick to the side of the enclosure tend to be less accurate.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

You have a lovely Russian tortoise. If you are in the UK they are called "Horsfield" tortoises due to their scientific name: Testudo horsfieldii.

Here is some care info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[LGM55]

Hello and welcome.

You have a lovely Russian tortoise. If you are in the UK they are called "Horsfield" tortoises due to their scientific name: Testudo horsfieldii.

Here is some care info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

thank you very much for the help we thought it would be best to get help on him and this is perfect thank you

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome!

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome !

 

[KaitlinKeefe_]

Welcome!

beautiful russian!

 

[HappyHermanns]

Hello & Welcome!

He's a cutie!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Lovely Russian Tortoise.
please ask if you have any questions, however trivial, someone will always be happy to help.