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[billylilly]

Hi
I am getting my first tortoise tomorrow he’s eight and I’ve never owned one before am excited and would appreciate any help or advice thank you

 

[JoesMum]

Before we can help you, we need to know the species of tortoise.

Preliminary essential reading is this

Beginner Mistakes
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Billy:

How about telling us a bit more about yourself, your situation, and what species of tortoise you're getting?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Billy, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
Can't wait to see your new tortoise.

 

[Big Charlie]

Welcome!

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hi Billy

 

[billylilly]

He’s settling in very well and he’s a horse field named billy am loving him just wondered what everyone uses in their bedding and boxes etc please x

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Russian tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii), hence horsfield, are a great tort.
For substrate use fine grade orchid bark, coco coir or cypress mulch.
Have a look at the care sheet that will provide you with invaluable information.
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

 

[billylilly]

Russian tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii), hence horsfield, are a great tort.
For substrate use fine grade orchid bark, coco coir or cypress mulch.
Have a look at the care sheet that will provide you with invaluable information.
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Thank you the lady I bought him from has set it all up for me using sand and soil and he’s happy enough but he’s in my lounge and feel it could get messy!?! So will have a good look at this thanks again

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Do you mean the enclosure is in your lounge or that you don't have an enclosure for him?

 

[billylilly]

Do you mean the enclosure is in your lounge or that you don't have an enclosure for him?

He has a proper big table it’s in my lounge taking a big space up but he’s worth it [emoji173]️

 

[billylilly]

He has a proper big table it’s in my lounge taking a big space up but he’s worth it [emoji173]️

Enclosure/tortoise table

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Okay, so if he's in a tortoise table, then your lounge shouldn't get messy. It should have high enough sides that he can't get out so the substrate should stay within. He may get messy, but that's fine!

 

[billylilly]

Thank you so much am thinking about when I change the sand/soil or would I be better using the bark stuff as surely be easier to change !?!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Thank you so much am thinking about when I change the sand/soil or would I be better using the bark stuff as surely be easier to change !?!

Don't use sand.
It is an impaction risk and can make your tortoise very unwell.
One of the substartes I mentioned would be much better than soil, you don't know exactly what's in soil.

 

[billylilly]

Don't use sand.
It is an impaction risk and can make your tortoise very unwell.
One of the substartes I mentioned would be much better than soil, you don't know exactly what's in soil.

She has always used play sand mixed with substrate soil !?! Would soil on its own be better or what else would be easier to change someone mentioned wood chipping bits

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

The sand is a risk. It takes time to accumulate when ingested, but it may happen eventually, you need to get rid of it, it is potentially lethal.
Soil on its own is better but really you need a better substrate, you can get orchid bark cheaply at the garden centre, which is a type of wood chipping, but fine grade is best.
Wood chippings such as cypress mulch are fine, but be careful what you get, you need something that holds moisture without going mouldy and some woods like cedar or pine are not good for your tortoise they can be irritants or toxic.

 

[billylilly]

Thank you so much I really appreciate all this and your speedy replies

 

[billylilly]

Thank you so much I really appreciate all this and your speedy replies

Sorry can I mix this with the soil !?!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Sorry can I mix this with the soil !?!

I really wouldn't bother with the soil at all.