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[Fujininja]

Hi! Im wanting to get a Hermanns tortoise. I have a Zoo med enclosure and im thinking about making the substrate organic soil mixed with sand and topped off with cypress mulch. I will also have some orchid moss in some of the hides incase he needs more humididty. I was also wondering I could plant weeds and such in the enclosure? Thanks

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
Zoo med enclosures are often too small, if I understand correctly.
You should be looking at a minimum of 4' by 8' for juveniles and adults and a bit smaller for a hatchling.
Organic soil is okay if you are sure it is chemical/pesticide and herbicide free, but many have these included.
Sand can cause a risk of impaction and I wouldn't use it.
Cypress mulch is good as is orchid bark and coco coir.
I plant spider plants in my enclosure.
Have a look at http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/
then http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/
for lots of good information.
Good luck.
.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

Because you don't have a tortoise yet, the first link that Tidgy's Dad showed you is very important for you to read BEFORE you buy any supplies.

 

[Fujininja]

Hello, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
Zoo med enclosures are often too small, if I understand correctly.
You should be looking at a minimum of 4' by 8' for juveniles and adults and a bit smaller for a hatchling.
Organic soil is okay if you are sure it is chemical/pesticide and herbicide free, but many have these included.
Sand can cause a risk of impaction and I wouldn't use it.
Cypress mulch is good as is orchid bark and coco coir.
I plant spider plants in my enclosure.
Have a look at http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/
then http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/
for lots of good information.
Good luck.
.

Thank you so much! I read the articles, I was wondering too if i could put 2 of the zoo med houses together since it is possible to do that. The house would then be 4 feet by 6 feet. And also since i wont be using sand anymore. I was thinking i could use 40% soil 40% coco coir and 20% cypress mulch. Also would just weeds in my backyard work? I have tons

 

[Fujininja]

Sorry I have so many questions!

 

[Fujininja]

Hello, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
Zoo med enclosures are often too small, if I understand correctly.
You should be looking at a minimum of 4' by 8' for juveniles and adults and a bit smaller for a hatchling.
Organic soil is okay if you are sure it is chemical/pesticide and herbicide free, but many have these included.
Sand can cause a risk of impaction and I wouldn't use it.
Cypress mulch is good as is orchid bark and coco coir.
I plant spider plants in my enclosure.
Have a look at http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/
then http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/
for lots of good information.
Good luck.
.

Oh one more question.... Would a russian tortoise be more suitable I did my was debating over the two of them but decided to chose the hermanns because of the size

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Thank you so much! I read the articles, I was wondering too if i could put 2 of the zoo med houses together since it is possible to do that. The house would then be 4 feet by 6 feet. And also since i wont be using sand anymore. I was thinking i could use 40% soil 40% coco coir and 20% cypress mulch. Also would just weeds in my backyard work? I have tons

Putting the two together to create a 4 by 6 would be fine for a hatchling to begin with, but bigger is always better.
It is also an expensive way of going about things. It is cheaper and just as good to buy a large bookcase and knock out the shelves to create a basic enclosure, line it with a shower curtain and add your substrate et al. See our enclosures section for lots of great ideas on cheap, easy to construct homes for your tortoise.
Washed broad leafed weeds from your backyard are an excellent food source but make sure no chemicals from the garden or neighbours are present.
Look at http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/tortoise_home_1.asp to see which plants are good for your tortoise.
Good luck.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Sorry I have so many questions!

Please ask away.
Lots of the people here are only too happy to help.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Oh one more question.... Would a russian tortoise be more suitable I did my was debating over the two of them but decided to chose the hermanns because of the size

Russians are super little torts and don't grow very large , but they are very active and great diggers and climbers, so tend to need even bigger areas to patrol, though 4 by 8 feet would still be about the minimum.
care sheet http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

 

[Gillian M]

A very warm welcome to the forum!

Ask all the questions you want: you'll get the help you need.

And good luck with the tort you choose.

 

[Fujininja]

So since i live in a small house, will the Russian tortoise and the hermanns tortoise take up around the same space? I want to start with babys but will they be much harder?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

The minimum space for these species is going to be the same.
Babies are harder to take care of than juveniles or adults, an there is a greater chance of something going wrong.
However if you get your set up right and do lots of research first it can be done without too much bother.
Harder, but not necessarily much harder.

 

[Fujininja]

The minimum space for these species is going to be the same.
Babies are harder to take care of than juveniles or adults, an there is a greater chance of something going wrong.
However if you get your set up right and do lots of research first it can be done without too much bother.
Harder, but not necessarily much harder.

Okay thank you a lot. I will do lots of research before I decicde

 

[Fujininja]

The minimum space for these species is going to be the same.
Babies are harder to take care of than juveniles or adults, an there is a greater chance of something going wrong.
However if you get your set up right and do lots of research first it can be done without too much bother.
Harder, but not necessarily much harder.

Hey I was checking around and I was originally going to get orchid moss to keep some hides humid but then people said that their tortoises ate the moss, what do you think? Should I get a humid hide instead?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hey I was checking around and I was originally going to get orchid moss to keep some hides humid but then people said that their tortoises ate the moss, what do you think? Should I get a humid hide instead?

I have humid hides without the moss.
Many people use sphagnum moss in the hides to help humidity with no problems, but some do find there torts eat it.
A little nibble is ok, but too much consumed isn't good as the substrate may be eaten too, and the torts stomach filled with water from the moss so it doesn't have room for its proper food.
Try it and see for yourself.
( I don't know what orchid moss is, but if you mean orchid bark, it is an excellent substrate for enclosures.)

 

[Fujininja]

Hey again, I can't seem to find if it is legal or illegal to buy baby Tortoises in Washington state. Do you know where i could find out? Thanks

 

[Yvonne G]

Since there are no native tortoises to Washington state, it is perfectly legal to buy tortoises from a legal source...a pet store, a breeder, or even adopt one from a rescue, etc.

 

[Fujininja]

Since there are no native tortoises to Washington state, it is perfectly legal to buy tortoises from a legal source...a pet store, a breeder, or even adopt one from a rescue, etc.

Okay Thanks!

 

[Fujininja]

Hi again Im working on my enclosure and its gonna be 5x5 with an added part so the longest part will be 8 ft long. I have anoter question though Do u think it would be okay to walk my tortoise once hes an adult? Ive seen people walk sulcata tortoises but they are much bigger, what do you think?

 

[Fujininja]

Hi merry christmas! Ive been searching for good places to buy my hermanns tortoise and so far reptiles to go is the one i like the best. Thoughts?