First Tortoise

Gabe90

New Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2017
Messages
1
Hello,I'm new here and I find this site great with owners and their beautiful tortoises.
I am active in the reptile hobby I've cared for many Lizards and Pythons. But now im very interested in a tortoise. I was wanting help on deciding which will be best to pick
"Elongated or Hermann tortoise" what's the best calcium (amount to give and products) and amount to feed. Also I heard of a lotion for their shells. Just wanna make sure to make it very healty im willing to take vet trips as well. Thank You
 

teresaf

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2015
Messages
2,023
Location (City and/or State)
Port Charlotte, Florida
I would start with an older tortoise . Not a young one. They are fragile and require more rigorous care. I made that mistake. If you can keep an older one healthy and happy and still want to try a baby later go for it. I know thats not your question but it should be every noobies first question. I can't answer your actual question. If you go up to 'forum' and click it. Then scroll down you should be able to see the species specific threads. Those two choices are in there somewhere and you can find bunches of info on each. Oh, no lotion.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,390
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Hi Gabe, and welcome to the Forum!

I don't keep either of those species, so can't help you there, but we do have a care sheet for the hermanni:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

. . . and some nice pictures of the elongata:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/genus-indotestudo-elongated-forstens-travancore.84916/

A must for all new tortoise keepers is the Beginner Mistakes thread:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,390
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
As far as lotion goes, most of us here believe no lotion is good lotion. As long as he's getting a healthy and varied diet, there should be no need for shell topicals. If I notice one of my tortoises' shells looks a bit dry, or if I get in a rescue with burned new growth lines, I'll apply cold pressed coconut oil, allow it to soak in for about 15 minutes, then polish it all off with an absorbent cloth. Thereafter I will just take a Q-tip and apply it to the growth seams about once a week for a month or so while his new, healthy diet takes over.
 
Top