Update on my Horsfield Tort, Tyler.

[Dan Tennick]

Hi all!

Just thought I'd share with you some pics of my Horsfield Tortoise Tyler who is around 2 years old now.

I got him last year in July and he is just fab! He has a Tort Table with a 10.0 UV strip, 40w Basking Bulb, 80/20 mix Topsoil and play-sand and a vast array of artificial plants and bushes that he loves claiming over and under!

His basking area is controlled by a Thermostat and is 32 Degrees and at the other end of his enclosure is 21 Degrees allowing him to cool down when needed.

He has a really funny personality and we all love him. He really is a little gem.

Hope you all like the pics!

Dan.

 

[wellington]

Pretty cool. Would be nice if you could make at enclousre bigger or do you put him outside in the summer warm months? Russians although small, need a very big area. Also, be careful with that water dish, many torts have drowned in them according to Tom. A low sided clay saucer would be better and much easier for him to get to the all important water.

 

[Dan Tennick]

Hello!

We do have him out in the Garden over the Summer months but we're I live in the North East of England, it's very cold! (Sometimes in Summer).. July and August could be just as cold and wet as it is on December.

The water dish I've heard the same thing however, I only have it shallow so it only just touches the bottom of his shell . I will however look into another water bowl.

Thanks for your comments

 

[tinkerbell1189]

Tyler is one handsome tort! I live in wales and have a horsfield tort also, so I feel your pain about the weather situation! I'm hoping to get mine out as much as poss this summer, fingers crossed!!

 

[Dan Tennick]

Thank you awh yes! Our weather is awful isn't it?

I've just purchased an outdoor pen for the Summer Months or days! Haha

 

[Dan Tennick]

Pretty cool. Would be nice if you could make at enclousre bigger or do you put him outside in the summer warm months? Russians although small, need a very big area. Also, be careful with that water dish, many torts have drowned in them according to Tom. A low sided clay saucer would be better and much easier for him to get to the all important water.

Thanks for your comment I have now sorted Out the water dish

 

[wellington]

Nice, now just bury it so the top is level with the substrate. Maybe put some flat rocks around it, will help keep the water clean a little.

 

[TortsNTurtles]

Welcome! I like they way you decorated the enclosure. Your Russian is adorable.

 

[tortdad]

Very nice

 

[leigti]

Very nice tortoise and the enclosure is set up nicely. You could get a little more room in there if you took out that little dividing wall. You could add another hide to make up for taking away some of that dark space but it would give him more room to walk around. Just a suggestion. I had a tour table like that and taking away that little divider made a big difference.

 

[Dan Tennick]

Very nice tortoise and the enclosure is set up nicely. You could get a little more room in there if you took out that little dividing wall. You could add another hide to make up for taking away some of that dark space but it would give him more room to walk around. Just a suggestion. I had a tour table like that and taking away that little divider made a big difference.

Thank you Actually, we were thinking about doing that! He never goes in there for some reason and if he does, he walks in, then walks straight back out. I don't know why, maybe likes to be nosey lol.


This is him sleeping right now as we speak.. (4:46am here) so he's flat out. As you can see, he likes to sleep facing the wall and never uses the hide!

 

[Dan Tennick]

Welcome! I like they way you decorated the enclosure. Your Russian is adorable.

Thank you

 

[Dan Tennick]

Very nice

Thank you

 

[leigti]

Thank you Actually, we were thinking about doing that! He never goes in there for some reason and if he does, he walks in, then walks straight back out. I don't know why, maybe likes to be nosey lol.


This is him sleeping right now as we speak.. (4:46am here) so he's flat out. As you can see, he likes to sleep facing the wall and never uses the hide!

View attachment 122910

Mine never used it either. Maybe if it was completely filled with dirt or something but then why would you do that? They probably feel like they are walking into a big open cave and that's probably not safe in the wild.

 

[bouaboua]

Sure is a nice looking russian. Indeed! ! !

 

[Dan Tennick]

Sure is a nice looking russian. Indeed! ! !

Thank you!

 

[Dan Tennick]

Mine never used it either. Maybe if it was completely filled with dirt or something but then why would you do that? They probably feel like they are walking into a big open cave and that's probably not safe in the wild.

Hmm.. Maybe? :/ well anyways, It's Sunday and DIY day today so thought I would take your advice onboard and he now has a much bigger space! Check out the pics attached

 

[leigti]

Much better! Now add a few more plants, maybe a couple hills and some site barriers and he'll feel like he's in a new place. If they can see from one into the other it feel smaller to them.

 

[tinkerbell1189]

Wow that looks much better

 

[Dan Tennick]

Wow that looks much better

Thanks he has much more space now!