Preparing for new Hermanns tortoise, a little overwhelmed

[Slbrlb]

Hello, this is my first post and I am brand new to the tortoise world. I am preparing to get a well started Hermanns tortoise and have been reading all the care guides, what not to do etc. I wanted opinions on this enclosure for a hatchling (although I know I will need to upgrade eventually)

Penn-Plax Reptology Tortoise Habitat with Open Top Dark Gray Driftwood

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Also the other thing I am not certain abut is the lights. I know I need a heat light as well as the long uvb light but I cannot seem to find a consistent way these are set up. How would I attach the long uvb light to the enclosure? It seems the heat light can be used with any standing lamp, but the uvb one im not so sure. I don’t plan to have a screen that it can set on top of.

Any help or opinions are greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[TheLastGreen]

Hi, welcome! I'm glad you want to start in a good way. (Don't worry, getting a tort is always overwhelming, but if you have any questions just ask and the members here will help with a smile)
Follow this guide religiously.

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...

www.tortoiseforum.org

That enclosure that you suggested seems ok, but going bigger is always better.
@Tom @Yvonne G are the experts on hermanns

 

[Slbrlb]

Thank you so much for sharing that post! It definitely helped answer some questions I had. I think the only thing I need now is to figure out which fixture to use for the florescent tube bulbs.

 

[TheLastGreen]

I forgot to mention this, it would be better if you could get a closed chamber enclosure

Closed "Chambers"

Been meaning to do this one for a while now... Over the years I have kept a lot of reptiles in a lot of different ways. I've learned a lot of stuff about a lot of species. Since finding and joining this forum almost two years ago, I've learned a TON more. Now I'm not just stumbling around...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[TaylorTortoise]

Greetings, welcome
I have a hermann’s myself.
Where are you purchasing your western, eastern hermanns from?

 

[Slbrlb]

I’m in contact with southern reptiles for an eastern Hermanns.

 

[Lyn W]

Hi and welcome,
Well done to research before you get your tort, hopefully you'll have everything set up and ready for him to move into which will reduce the stress for him, because they don't like change.
It's hard to tell from the picture but that enclosure looks a bit small even for a hatchling.
I think the caresheet linked recommends a viv for hatchlings because it is easier to control heat and humidity to give them a good start. The bigger the better because torts need to be able to roam for digestion and bone health.
There are fittings specifically for the uvb tubes and they are often sold together as kits.
The caresheet is the most up to date you'll find anywhere and if you follow that as closely as possible your tort should thrive, but ask as many questions as you like there's always someone here to help.

 

[TaylorTortoise]

Good luck. And please post pictures
If you need any help or advice I am here to help you. I recieved my first hermann’s hatchling myself and he is thriving so much and growing so much.

 

[Slbrlb]

Good luck. And please post pictures
If you need any help or advice I am here to help you. I recieved my first hermann’s hatchling myself and he is thriving so much and growing so much.

Where did you get yours from?

 

[TaylorTortoise]

Where did you get yours from?

I got mine from hermannihaven.com

 

[TaylorTortoise]

Chris leone @HermanniChris

 

[TaylorTortoise]

I use a raised garden bed with plexi glass, reptile screen to hold up the fixtures for the lights people claim they don’t work…. But my western hermann’s is growing smooth and beautifully with no problems. I change my bulbs loyally every 3-4 months.

 

[TaylorTortoise]

Thread 'Sticky: HERMANN'S TORTOISE CARE SHEET *UPDATED'
https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome!

 

[Noelluene]

Speaking from experience raising my Hermann's, I can tell you that hydration and humidity are key! My tortoise's shell doesn't look the best right now was because stupid me in the past didn't give it proper hydration when it was young. Give it plenty of hydration so that you don't make the mistake I made.

Also my tortoise is doing very well these days as I had done more research since and rectified many issues.

 

[Slbrlb]

Speaking from experience raising my Hermann's, I can tell you that hydration and humidity are key! My tortoise's shell doesn't look the best right now was because stupid me in the past didn't give it proper hydration when it was young. Give it plenty of hydration so that you don't make the mistake I made.

Also my tortoise is doing very well these days as I had done more research since and rectified many issues.

What did you do wrong? No daily soaks or just not keeping the enclosure humid?

 

[Noelluene]

What did you do wrong? No daily soaks or just not keeping the enclosure humid?

Both. Babies need soaks every day but I was only giving soaks every other day. The enclosure itself was also too dry. I used to use this horrible substrate called corncob grain which had as much ability to stay humid as a stone brick. Also a water dish is a life saver especially if the enclosure is still dry.

 

[Slbrlb]

Both. Babies need soaks every day but I was only giving soaks every other day. The enclosure itself was also too dry. I used to use this horrible substrate called corncob grain which had as much ability to stay humid as a stone brick. Also a water dish is a life saver especially if the enclosure is still dry.

Thank you! I will make sure it’s humid and getting soaks everyday

 

[Noelluene]

Thank you! I will make sure it’s humid and getting soaks everyday

One last thing. Although soaks are extremely vital, make sure the water does not go higher than the plastron of the tortoise. Long ago I lost a baby after it got too much water into its lungs after being soaked in water too deep.