New owner hermans tortoise

[Karen restell]

Hi I am recently new owner of hermans tortoise his four years old .his name is Sheldon . I am a beginner not had tortoise since a child. I have been reading so much different information will need help

 

[Jacqui]

Hi! *waves* Welcome. What made you decide to get a tortoise?

 

[enzot91]

Hi Karen, welcome. I keep these tortoises too, they have a wonderful attitude and personality, you'll love him. I'd recommend you take a look at the care sheet on this forum, it's full of excellent information for this species:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

 

[JoesMum]

Hello and welcome to TFO Karen and Sheldon from Kent, UK.

Knowledge and understanding about the correct care for tortoises has advanced rapidly in recent years, so you'll probably find a few things have changed.

Species experts on TFO have been kind enough to write up their experience and knowledge, so I'd recommend you reading these for accurate and up-to-date information

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

Hermann's Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

 

[Karen restell]

His lovely got great personality love him

 

[Karen restell]

Thank you will read these , he lives in varium I put him outside much as possible, will get outside house for spring, he is 4 and always lived in this previous owner didn't have enough time take care of him but he was well looked after and loves attention

 

[JoesMum]

Thank you will read these , he lives in varium I put him outside much as possible, will get outside house for spring, he is 4 and always lived in this previous owner didn't have enough time take care of him but he was well looked after and loves attention

How big is the vivararium Karen?

They're generally too small for anything other than hatchlings.

If you want to post pictures of the viv and the lighting then we can help you perfect it for Sheldon.

Pictures of Sheldon are welcome too... we love pictures

 

[Gillian M]

Hi @Karen restell and a very warm welcome to the forum.

Any pics of your cute tort's viv?

 

[Karen restell]

How big is the vivararium Karen?

They're generally too small for anything other than hatchlings.

If you want to post pictures of the viv and the lighting then we can help you perfect it for Sheldon.

Pictures of Sheldon are welcome too... we love pictures

Ok l will take some photos

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hi Karen
It's great to have a new member that knows 1955 isn't a tire size !

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum, Karen!

 

[Karen restell]

Is this too small . If so what do I need

 

[Yvonne G]

I would say so. It would be ok for a baby, but much too small for a tortoise of that size. An inexpensive way to house a full grown Hermanni indoors is an old book case with the shelves removed and lined with plastic sheeting. Or you can buy two plastic tubs, cut out opposing ends and put them together.

 

[Karen restell]

Apparently he has never hibernated I was told if keep in at certain temperature he wouldn't need to , he loves the sun lamp. If I brought one which one would be best

 

[Gillian M]

Is this too small . If so what do I need

View attachment 190913 View attachment 190914

Sorry to say: I believe it's rather small.

 

[Karen restell]

How big is the vivararium Karen?

They're generally too small for anything other than hatchlings.

If you want to post pictures of the viv and the lighting then we can help you perfect it for Sheldon.

Pictures of Sheldon are welcome too... we love pictures

Pictures on now I am confused

 

[Karen restell]

Hi @Karen restell and a very warm welcome to the forum.

Any pics of your cute tort's viv?

 

[Gillian M]

Cute! GOD bless.

 

[JoesMum]

Pictures on now I am confused

What are you confused about Karen?

Your enclosure could do with some tweaks to improve things. Please correct me if I have misread anything in the picture.

It looks like you have a basking bulb hung vertically and a tube UVB which is great

I can't see the size of your tortoise (Straight Carapace Length measured like this) or guess the floor area of the vivarium, but the links I gave you earlier will tell you that for anything other than babies your tort needs 4'x8' (1.5x2.2 metres) minimum.

Your substrate contains white bits - perlite, vermiculite or calcium bits probably - this isn't good for a tortoise. They're attracted to eating white bits thinking it's calcium and end up eating the substrate too. Eating substrate isn't good as it can cause awful digestive problems including impaction. The substrate needs to be changed for something chemical free without bits; coco coir and orchid bark are the most frequently recommended on TFO which you can buy from a garden store.

The reptile bowls aren't recommended as they're hard for torts to use and they're a tipping hazard. A terracotta plant saucer, sunk level with the substrate, makes a safe and cheap water bowl. A piece of flat rock or slate, or the back of a tile, make a good food plate that's easy to eat from and help with beak maintenance while your tort eats.

 

[Karen restell]

What are you confused about Karen?

Your enclosure could do with some tweaks to improve things. Please correct me if I have misread anything in the picture.

It looks like you have a basking bulb hung vertically and a tube UVB which is great

I can't see the size of your tortoise (Straight Carapace Length measured like this) or guess the floor area of the vivarium, but the links I gave you earlier will tell you that for anything other than babies your tort needs 4'x8' (1.5x2.2 metres) minimum.

Your substrate contains white bits - perlite, vermiculite or calcium bits probably - this isn't good for a tortoise. They're attracted to eating white bits thinking it's calcium and end up eating the substrate too. Eating substrate isn't good as it can cause awful digestive problems including impaction. The substrate needs to be changed for something chemical free without bits; coco coir and orchid bark are the most frequently recommended on TFO which you can buy from a garden store.

The reptile bowls aren't recommended as they're hard for torts to use and they're a tipping hazard. A terracotta plant saucer, sunk level with the substrate, makes a safe and cheap water bowl. A piece of flat rock or slate, or the back of a tile, make a good food plate that's easy to eat from and help with beak maintenance while your tort eats.

Thank you I will change all this, these was with Sheldon when we brought him , I'll buy all new stuff very welcome of your help