British tortoise owners

[jammy237]

Hi I'm also in England and these beauts are Nellie, Timothy and AJ.


Jammy.

 

[Sarah Winchester]

Aww they are adoreable

 

[Smartie123]

Hi I'm down on the south coast! This is donny, in this picture he had just discovered climbing!

 

[HotdogKnight]

Nice to know this thread hasn't died! I'm down in Southampton (originally from Wiltshire), I've been browsing this site for weeks gaining information and should be getting my first Tort (Russian) in January

These photos make me so excited for my new friend!!

 

[TerryTerrapin]

Hi from Ireland! (Close enough, right?)

 

[GraceR]

Hey I'm from Worcester had Russian tortoise nearly a month. Still a baby About 4 months old.

 

[jadesaliba]

I'm from England and here's Freddie ☺have done all my research about keeping a Russian tortoise but if anyone has any useful tips please feel free to let me know!

 

[AlbusB]

Hi I'm from hertfordshire and I have just brought my first Russian tortoise Albus. The shop said he was 9 months but the vet thought he was much younger. I love him so much he's adorable can't stop watching him! He was poorly when we got him but he is having his second antibiotic injection tomorrow and he's picking up fast,

 

[HotdogKnight]

How well are you guys finding vets that cater for exotic/reptiles? Are they easy to come by?

 

[AlbusB]

I've had to take Albus to the vet already and I looked for an exotic vet, there are a few but they seem to have limited hours. Mine only does Monday's and Thursday's for example

 

[HotdogKnight]

Oh ok, I'll have to look around. I assume prices vary too.

Also your little guy is adorable, not sure what the shop were on about though, he doesn't look older than 5-6 months at least.

 

[AlbusB]

Oh ok, I'll have to look around. I assume prices vary too.

Also your little guy is adorable, not sure what the shop were on about though, he doesn't look older than 5-6 months at least.

That's what the vet said! They were pretty awful in general really. Wrong substrate poorly little guy... Would not recommend them.

I paid £35 and I was in there for at least 30 mins and she gave us tonnes of advice so was worth it.

 

[johnandjade]

hi from bonnie scotland, anyone that could recommend a vet in Glasgow area?

nothing wrong with the wee guy, just looking for a specialist to check him over and have should illness happen.

 

[jadesaliba]

Hi I'm from hertfordshire and I have just brought my first Russian tortoise Albus. The shop said he was 9 months but the vet thought he was much younger. I love him so much he's adorable can't stop watching him! He was poorly when we got him but he is having his second antibiotic injection tomorrow and he's picking up fast,View attachment 108234

Hey there ☺️ I'm from Enfield so not too far from you, what vet is it that you go to? I don't know any near me

 

[AlbusB]

Hey there ☺️ I'm from Enfield so not too far from you, what vet is it that you go to? I don't know any near me

Hi It's called nine lives and it's in redbourn, the exotic vet is called Emily

 

[HotdogKnight]

That's what the vet said! They were pretty awful in general really. Wrong substrate poorly little guy... Would not recommend them.

I paid £35 and I was in there for at least 30 mins and she gave us tonnes of advice so was worth it.

Oh wow that's really not bad then!

The place I'm planning to get my tort from has them all in glass vivs, I remember last summer pointing out how funny it was that one was just walking into the glass without stopping. Since learning more and realising that stresses them out it makes me want to hurry up and save them.

 

[AlbusB]

Where are you planning on getting him? I got my little guy from a shop from wrigglies... If I get another one I will not be getting from a shop again... Although I do feel like I rescued him.

Does any one know if his is ok as substrate:http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/tortoise-terrain-10-litre

We have this right now, but we haven't wet it down at all... He seems quite happy though

 

[HotdogKnight]

Porton Pets in Salisbury, sort of like an individually run Pets at Home. There's a reptile place here in Southampton but I'm not sure what it's like as I've never been.

It looks ok? Is it similar to soil, coir or bark? I've learnt that all are fine although bark/sand can get in their eyes or get eaten.

 

[AlbusB]

Porton Pets in Salisbury, sort of like an individually run Pets at Home. There's a reptile place here in Southampton but I'm not sure what it's like as I've never been.

It looks ok? Is it similar to soil, coir or bark? I've learnt that all are fine although bark/sand can get in their eyes or get eaten.

It has got quite a lot of sand in it but i think it's a 50/50 soil sand. Worried it might be a bit dry?

Sorry to ask so many questions. What's the ideal temp for the cool and warm sides of the table? Can't stop worrying I'm gonna do something to make him worse..

Thought I'd read a lot before I got him but now so many questions!!

This is my tank setup at the moment

 

[HotdogKnight]

I think that's fine, 50/50 is recommended a lot. Apparently it's supposed to be damp to the touch, so maybe get a little spray bottle to keep the top moist; it also helps to keep the humidity up which is important when they're young.

I keep getting confused on temperatures, especially as US use Fahrenheit, I know basking is supposed to be around 20-30*C maybe higher if your bulb is warmer, cooler I think can be around 10*C (although I'm more confident with basking than cool areas)

I love your setup, I've never seen blue cuttlebone before!