Where to start?

[ckidd_15]

So I'm kind of getting back into caring seriously for my tort instead of just doing it's soaks and feeding it everyday. I really want to try hard again like I know most of u on here are. Where do I even start to do that?? I want to be a good tort owner again

 

[dmmj]

I am sorry, but I don't understand the question.

 

[mike taylor]

Tell us about your setup . What kind of tortoise you are keeping . Post pictures of them and the setup . This way we can see what you're working with . Then we can tell how to improve on it .

 

[ckidd_15]

Right now I have a Greek tortoise and have him in a tortoise house as he is only 3 years old. I have a coco core substrate in there (that I need to clean out tomorrow) a water bowl, food dish, and hide/ramp. That's all I have right now and I'm planning on buying some more furniture and a broader range on food soon, like tomorrow soon. I have a 10.0 UV light and a 75 watt heat lamp.

 

[ckidd_15]

And I'm asking what first steps should I take to better my torts life and make it happy

 

[G-stars]

Here's a good starting point.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index....e-(Testudo-graeca)-Care-Sheet-Overview.87146/

 

[Prairie Mom]

My biggest vote is for safe outside time when ever the weather is warm enough. My little tortoise became a newer, healthier, and more vibrant animal the more she got to spend time outside. Sunshine is medicine to these sweet animals and it is wonderful seeing them explore a big safely enclosed outdoor space. My sulcata thought rummaging through the fallen leaves this Autumn was pretty awesome. I also know of members that provide their tortoises shallow water and mud pits just to wallow in and enjoy themselves.

My second vote would be to look at diet. I know that sounds boring, but I don't think it has to be...Is your tortoise getting a big variety of foods and the opportunity to try new things. I have had SO MUCH FUN gardening for and feeding my tortoise! Really! I have loved watching her eat things that I grew and have felt an added connection seeing her eat things that I personally prepared. I have also loved how she reacts to tasting different favorite edible flowers and leaves.

I think it's great you are actively working to improve your tortoise's quality of life. A while ago, I came across an old thread on this forum where a renown member asked himself the question is my tortoise "thriving or surviving?" http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/thriving-vs-surviving.24328/ The thread spoke a lot about using fertility as a way of judging tortoise health which didn't really apply to me as I'm not breeding tortoises, but the question really "sunk in" and I find that I now pose this question of thriving vs surviving with every animal in my care all the time now. Asking myself this question has made me increase my effort to look at what the animal's needs are and even try to better anticipate their desires. It sounds like you are already asking yourself this same kind of question and I highly commend your efforts!

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

It's so nice you want to make him better!!
How big is he? Tortoise 'houses' are only big enough for a very new tort... How's humidity? Temps? I'm glad you don't have a coil bulb!
I also vote on outside... is there he chance he can spend some time in the sun?
The caresheet provided is very nice!

 

[tortdad]

By the picture I would say build it a larger enclosure.

 

[Yvonne G]

I say go back to the beginning and re-read the care sheet linked above. Toss out everything you have and start over. Get or build a bigger tort table. Buy a good UVB light. Change the substrate to the kind suggested in the care sheet. And in the spring, when the weather warms up, build the tortoise a safe and secure outdoor habitat.

 

[ckidd_15]

Wow thank You so much for all of that! So my little guys is three years old so he's about 4-5 inches long. I'm planning on planting a broadleaf seed mix sometime soon so I can pick that and he can eat and graze on those. Yes there is somewhat of an opportunity for him to go outside, I just don't have anywhere to put him my grass has fertilizer in it and there's really nowhere for him to go.
My heat in his hot area is roughly 90-95 and in his cool area about 80-85. Humidity is 30-40%. Yes I am changing his substrate and gonna feed him stuff off that wonderful list I got!

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Wow thank You so much for all of that! So my little guys is three years old so he's about 4-5 inches long. I'm planning on planting a broadleaf seed mix sometime soon so I can pick that and he can eat and graze on those. Yes there is somewhat of an opportunity for him to go outside, I just don't have anywhere to put him my grass has fertilizer in it and there's really nowhere for him to go.
My heat in his hot area is roughly 90-95 and in his cool area about 80-85. Humidity is 30-40%. Yes I am changing his substrate and gonna feed him stuff off that wonderful list I got!

That sounds great! Seeds mixes are easy to grow and the torts love them...

 

[Tyanna]

Wow thank You so much for all of that! So my little guys is three years old so he's about 4-5 inches long. I'm planning on planting a broadleaf seed mix sometime soon so I can pick that and he can eat and graze on those. Yes there is somewhat of an opportunity for him to go outside, I just don't have anywhere to put him my grass has fertilizer in it and there's really nowhere for him to go.
My heat in his hot area is roughly 90-95 and in his cool area about 80-85. Humidity is 30-40%. Yes I am changing his substrate and gonna feed him stuff off that wonderful list I got!

Your humidity needs to be increased, for sure. As the caresheet states, 60-75% is ideal. He still needs outside time. Get a few big 50 gallon totes, connect them, and make it into an outdoor enclosure so he can get sun, while being safe from fertilizers. Plant lots of grass, and plants for shade in this outdoor enclosure as well.