Happy tortoises

[chrltt104]

My horsefield tortoises seem to be doing great, very active as soon as their lamps come on and they sleep just before their lamps go off, they eat very well and have a soak every day if anyone sees anything they think is wrong with them please let me know

 

[Carol S]

They are so cute. I love Russian tortoises.

 

[chrltt104]

Thank you they're becoming so tame and friendly

 

[ZEROPILOT]

What is the substrate? Are those tiny stones mixed in? I can't tell. Tiny stones could get eaten. Otherwise, it looks great and so does the tortoise.

 

[chrltt104]

The substrate is called tortoise terrain it is a mixture of sterilised top soil, sand and limestone grit, they seem to like it and haven't once tried to eat it

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Soil is good. Sand and grit not so much. It does look nice and you'll very likely be fine. I've honestly never heard of it. Are you in the U.S.?

 

[TortsNTurtles]

They are cute.

 

[stojanovski92113]

Soil is good. Sand and grit not so much. It does look nice and you'll very likely be fine. I've honestly never heard of it. Are you in the U.S.?

Never heard of that either. They are cute torts

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Awww, they're so cute! I love their big eyes, and your guys's shells are very pretty.
I second the substrate can you get pure potting/top soil? This certain terrain dirt seems to be sold in the UK often over a plain soil?

 

[HotdogKnight]

Awww, they're so cute! I love their big eyes, and your guys's shells are very pretty.
I second the substrate can you get pure potting/top soil? This certain terrain dirt seems to be sold in the UK often over a plain soil?

Yeah I see this substrate sold a lot over here, annoyingly it's sold on the shelf RIGHT under the coco coir bricks which are only labelled as for 'geckos, snakes and spiders etc.' - I would always recommend a soil/coir substrate over anything mixed with sand purely for humidities sake rather than personal preference.

 

[weldorNate]

Nice looking torts you have there

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Yeah I see this substrate sold a lot over here, annoyingly it's sold on the shelf RIGHT under the coco coir bricks which are only labelled as for 'geckos, snakes and spiders etc.' - I would always recommend a soil/coir substrate over anything mixed with sand purely for humidities sake rather than personal preference.

Hmmm I guess it's very easy for a potential buyer to mistake that for torts!
Good thing you know which to get

 

[chrltt104]

It says on the packaging that it is for tortoises so no I haven't mistaken it at all

 

[smarch]

unfortunately, and this is where things get frustrating and confusing, just because something says "for tortoises" does not mean its whats best...or even good in the case of some commercial tortoise foods over here. Its often cheaper and better to rely on things not normally used for pets.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Charlotte:

I think that substrate will be ok. Limestone grit really isn't necessary for tortoise digestion, but it won't cause any problems if the tortoise should happen to eat some of it accidentally. The main thing I'm getting from your post is that your tortoises are HAPPY!! ....and that's a good thing!

 

[HotdogKnight]

Hmmm I guess it's very easy for a potential buyer to mistake that for torts!
Good thing you know which to get

I'm getting another couple of bricks tomorrow, I'll be sure to start a thread showing the packaging that says it's NOT for tortoises - it's so weird. Yet they sell the mixed soil/sand stuff. It is strange how stores just assume things like this.

 

[chrltt104]

Fair enough.. Well they seem happy and healthy to me , had no issues with it and they're eating, sleeping and bathing fine and are very active.. I do understand everyone's point though so annoying because one person tells me to do one thing then another is telling me "no that is wrong and that is bad for your tortoise" -_-

 

[jeffb]

I also agree that the substrate you are using is fine, happiness is the main ingredient and I see plenty!!

 

[johnsonnboswell]

That red food looked like strawberries. Tortoises love fruit, but it's bad for them, they can't digest the sugars. Take it off the menu. There are so many healthy choices for them that will make them happy.

Consider adding coconut coir to your current substrate to help hold moisture.

What are you using for light?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Once you know what to look out for, you'll notice a lot of things "for tortoises" that should never be...Some of it is down right harmful.