Hello all,
I'm planning on getting my first tortoise (a Russian) as I don't want anything that will grow up to become too large. I've done a lot of reading and I find myself reading a lot of mixed recommendations so am hoping some experts here could help me out.
I plan to get a hatchling and as I live in a flat I will obviously need an indoor enclosure. I plan to build one that is approximately 1m in length and 0.5m in width. Whilst i realise that this might not be suitable for an adult tortoise fully grown, in terms of the first 1 - 2 years would an enclosure of this size be adequate? I intend to add a tortoise house at one end and a small burrow for it to sleep / cool off and then have a basking area at the other end and an area with access to water.
Having read the care guide thread I understand that I will need approximately a 100w basking lamp to provide Heat, UVB and Vit D3 for at least 12hrs a day. Would something such as this be suitable?
http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/rep...s-1480/arcadia-d3-uv-basking-lamp-243337.html
What I am most worried about is whislt being able to keep one end regulated with the lamp I'm uncertain about keeping the opposite end at the right temperature. The temperature can vary a lot in the flat, from opening/closing windows etc and the colder months are coming and I don't tend to use the heating much during the winter as I'm working most of the day. What would be the ideal temperature for the cooler end and if I can't keep it warm enough what method can I use to heat this appropriately?
The last thing that I am worried about is it's health. Having it from a hatchling should I be routinely taking it to a vet for checkups? Whilst I have the money to cover any vets costs (realistic amounts) I am wondering whether it's worth taking out insurance in it's infancy to cover any costs if it needs checkups and any treatments early on.
Any advice given would be greatly appreciated.
I'm planning on getting my first tortoise (a Russian) as I don't want anything that will grow up to become too large. I've done a lot of reading and I find myself reading a lot of mixed recommendations so am hoping some experts here could help me out.
I plan to get a hatchling and as I live in a flat I will obviously need an indoor enclosure. I plan to build one that is approximately 1m in length and 0.5m in width. Whilst i realise that this might not be suitable for an adult tortoise fully grown, in terms of the first 1 - 2 years would an enclosure of this size be adequate? I intend to add a tortoise house at one end and a small burrow for it to sleep / cool off and then have a basking area at the other end and an area with access to water.
Having read the care guide thread I understand that I will need approximately a 100w basking lamp to provide Heat, UVB and Vit D3 for at least 12hrs a day. Would something such as this be suitable?
http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/rep...s-1480/arcadia-d3-uv-basking-lamp-243337.html
What I am most worried about is whislt being able to keep one end regulated with the lamp I'm uncertain about keeping the opposite end at the right temperature. The temperature can vary a lot in the flat, from opening/closing windows etc and the colder months are coming and I don't tend to use the heating much during the winter as I'm working most of the day. What would be the ideal temperature for the cooler end and if I can't keep it warm enough what method can I use to heat this appropriately?
The last thing that I am worried about is it's health. Having it from a hatchling should I be routinely taking it to a vet for checkups? Whilst I have the money to cover any vets costs (realistic amounts) I am wondering whether it's worth taking out insurance in it's infancy to cover any costs if it needs checkups and any treatments early on.
Any advice given would be greatly appreciated.
