British tortoise owners

Tidgy's Dad

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2015
Messages
48,236
Location (City and/or State)
Fes, Morocco
Interesting choice of country to move to-any particular reason/need? It's meant to be a lovely country, although I haven't personally been. Do you live in a city or rurally there?
I live in the ancient medina of Fes, a city with 9,600 streets about 10 of which are wide enough for cars. I get my rubbish taken away every morning( not once a week) by donkey and pay ten quid a year council tax. What's not to like? also see above for the rest of your answer.
 

Thirstyscott

New Member
Joined
May 13, 2015
Messages
23
Hi I'm from north west I have a lovely marginated tort nearly five years old called khaleesi. I've had her about a month. I did have a spur thigh but she met a tragic end. I was devastated but can honestly say getting another was the best thing I could have done. ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1433187497.302053.jpg
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Hi I'm from north west I have a lovely marginated tort nearly five years old called khaleesi. I've had her about a month. I did have a spur thigh but she met a tragic end. I was devastated but can honestly say getting another was the best thing I could have done. View attachment 132225
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your spur thigh, it must have been devastating for you. As it was a tragic end I assume it was an accident rather than illness (apologies of I am wrong) and I hope Khaleesi will benefit from your sad experience and have a long and healthy life.
 

Thirstyscott

New Member
Joined
May 13, 2015
Messages
23
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your spur thigh, it must have been devastating for you. As it was a tragic end I assume it was an accident rather than illness (apologies of I am wrong) and I hope Khaleesi will benefit from your sad experience and have a long and healthy life.
Hi lyn w sorry so long to get back to you. I lost omari by her eating little petals off a pieris flame plant. I took her from her safe enclosure to show my neighbours little boy who adored her. As I was talking to his parent little omari had ate a couple of the little petals. I did not know these were highly toxic sadly the next morning omari took a turn for the worse. I took her to a emergency vets with the thought of poisoning. The following morning she had died. I was devasted. It was my wife who said I had everything in place to give a tortoise a lovely home and I must get another. This is what I've done with khaleesi. It has been a emotional time but I hope with help from people on here and my willingness to research and keep learning this tragedy Won't happen again. Thanks for your kind words also.
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Hi lyn w sorry so long to get back to you. I lost omari by her eating little petals off a pieris flame plant. I took her from her safe enclosure to show my neighbours little boy who adored her. As I was talking to his parent little omari had ate a couple of the little petals. I did not know these were highly toxic sadly the next morning omari took a turn for the worse. I took her to a emergency vets with the thought of poisoning. The following morning she had died. I was devasted. It was my wife who said I had everything in place to give a tortoise a lovely home and I must get another. This is what I've done with khaleesi. It has been a emotional time but I hope with help from people on here and my willingness to research and keep learning this tragedy Won't happen again. Thanks for your kind words also.
That is so sad Scott, and a lesson to us all because it is so easily done. I am still trying to ID plants in my garden and work out what is safe or not. That must have been awful for you but glad you are able to give another little tort a good home.
 

Thirstyscott

New Member
Joined
May 13, 2015
Messages
23
That is so sad Scott, and a lesson to us all because it is so easily done. I am still trying to ID plants in my garden and work out what is safe or not. That must have been awful for you but glad you are able to give another little tort a good home.
Thank you. Apparently there are a few different types of this plant but the ones with the flowers on are the most toxic. I think nearly every garden near me has them. She won't be going there again.
 

donbv3

New Member
Joined
May 27, 2015
Messages
17
I'm from Manchester. Does anyone know of any Hermann breeders around Manchester? I am very new to tortoises n doing lots of research before buying one as so much more to keep g them happy and healthy than i was lead to believe by the pet shop. Thanks :)
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Hi, Donvb3 welcome to the forum. You are so sensible researching first, I had no idea what was involved looking after torts until I was adopted by one last summer. Who'd have thought little tihngs such as they are would need so much care, space and money!!!? But you are in the right place to learn and also right about pet shops too. They are there to make money and will sell you all sorts of stuff that isn't necessarily needed or safe - such as coil bulbs and wrong substrate etc

I am in South Wales so don't know of any breeders but @Anyfoot is in Sheffield and he may be able to help. I've tagged him so I'm sure he'll pop in when he can to let you know.

Do you want a new baby or would you consider a rescue? Your local animal rehoming centre may be able to help and there's also the British Assocoiation of Tortoise Keepers (BATK) they are based in Leamington Spa but have foster homes all over the place I believe. You may also have a local tortoise group who you could contact for breeders. They all may be able to help you find a baby or older tort. If you have a vets with a herpetologist vet they may know of breeders too

Anyway hope that has given you some ideas or helped and I look forward to hearing about your new tort and don't be afraid to ask questions there are some very experienced keepers all over the world here who give great advice,
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Thank you. Apparently there are a few different types of this plant but the ones with the flowers on are the most toxic. I think nearly every garden near me has them. She won't be going there again.
Hi again Scott don't know if you've already found it but www.thetortoisetable.org.uk has a great plant database for what's safe or not - meant to tell you about it last time I posted but forgot to get back to you. Hope it helps.
 

Anyfoot

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2014
Messages
6,309
Location (City and/or State)
UK Sheffield
I'm from Manchester. Does anyone know of any Hermann breeders around Manchester? I am very new to tortoises n doing lots of research before buying one as so much more to keep g them happy and healthy than i was lead to believe by the pet shop. Thanks :)
Hi donbv3. I'm not sure where the Herman's breeders are in Manchester. If you look on preloved.com or pets4homes or even gumtree. You will find everything from unwanted torts, full breeding herds and breeders. The Herman's must have registration paperwork with them so make sure you get these papers with your tort. Herman's are more of a solitary tortoise I believe. I have redfoots and seem to live in groups with no problems. If you are wanting more than 1 tort now or in the future, maybe consider redfoots. Although reds need more heat snd humidity. Just a thought. I believe you shouldn't have Herman's in pairs. Either 1 or more than 3. Love Herman's though. I love all torts. Lol.
 

Thirstyscott

New Member
Joined
May 13, 2015
Messages
23
I'm from Manchester. Does anyone know of any Hermann breeders around Manchester? I am very new to tortoises n doing lots of research before buying one as so much more to keep g them happy and healthy than i was lead to believe by the pet shop. Thanks :)
Go tortoise table then to garden shed chat. I've seen people wanting to re home tortoise. Hope you find what your after :)
 

donbv3

New Member
Joined
May 27, 2015
Messages
17
Brill thank you Thirstyscott. I will have a look. I'm happy not to have a baby tortoise Lyn W I am going to have a look round for a rescue or a tortoise in need of a new home. I still have a lot of work to do building a table and a safe enclosure in my garden but I'm hoping to have a nice tortoise home set up in the next month or so. I've been digging the garden today clearing a large area for an outdoor enclosure unfortunately it has some tree stumps n roots where I want to build it so I have some digging to do :)
Thanks again for all your help it's greatly appreciated :)
 

kirsty Johnston

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2014
Messages
1,027
Location (City and/or State)
Scotland
I'm from Manchester. Does anyone know of any Hermann breeders around Manchester? I am very new to tortoises n doing lots of research before buying one as so much more to keep g them happy and healthy than i was lead to believe by the pet shop. Thanks :)
Hey
Check this page out :http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/176.asp?thissection=44
The tortoise protection group is a charity and have a list of UK recommended breeders. They all need to pass certain criteria before they can get added so definitely worth a look
 
Top