Recent content by sbwalker5

Hi, Douglas is back out in his enclosure after hibernating in the fridge for the winter. There is quite a lot of growth in his enclosure from last year - some is specific from tortoise food seeds from last year, some dandelions, and some bluebell (which I had to get rid of a lot when I first...

Hi all, just after a bit of expert advice for night heat in the UK (or similar climates). I'm nearly done with a new outdoor enclosure for my 3 year old (about 6 inch long) Marginated tortoise, Douglas. I've had this little house built for a night box... Temperatures are still as low as...

Thanks @Rue and @surfergirl Still work in progress but it's getting there! It's crazy really, I still see him as a small baby tortoise, but he's about 5 times the size he was! Here he is this morning, gave him a warm soak as I put him out.. It's still only around 12-13 degrees Celsius at...

Little update; after waiting for the constant rain to stop (every night!), I finally managed to fill the enclosure with 12 bags of clean topsoil (300 litres). Purchased a mini greenhouse / cold frame from eBay, I believe it's 80 x 90cm (probably similar in size to his current indoor enclosure!)...

Just did a little comparison pic of when we first got Douglas (he was about 6 months old), compared to now (just about 3 years old).

Hi all.. Was just looking back through my old posts, and realised I'd started this thread over two years ago! Been occupied with our own human baby for the last 14 months, so haven't visited the forums much! I think I'll update this with some newer photos of Douglas for anyone interested! He's...

I've purchased some clear wood varnish to protect the frame slightly. The side panels have been pressure treated, but the frame definitely needs some sort of treatment. Just as a frame of reference, here is Douglas' current indoor living arrangement... It's been fine for 2 years now, but he's...

I did think that, and wondered how long it would last, especially as we often get a fair amount of rain here in the UK. What do people generally use, that is tortoise-safe?

Hi, I haven't posted here in a while - had a new (human) arrival a little over year ago! We've had Douglas, our 3 year old Marginated for 2 and half years now, and it's finally time to get him outside. He's rapidly outgrowing his indoor table! I've had a separated area of lawn in my mind for a...

I wan't even aware of this contest, and I would have loved to have entered! I guess it's now too late to submit anything? I check this forum most days, and never saw the contest thread? Is there a way this can be more visible / prominent in the future?

Marginated owners do seem quite rare on here! I've got Douglas, who's now about 14 months old.. Pretty random why we have a marginated really - my girlfriend surprised me for my 30th birthday, and think she just chose at random! ha ha

My baby marginated, Douglas being hand-fed

Just an update.. After replacing the MVB yesterday, I returned from work today to find him in his basking spot, and most of his food eaten!

That's great, thanks everyone.. I replaced the MVB today, and moved him to the basking spot from his sleeping area. He stayed there for a while, and even went to eat for a bit! So hopefully this will help somewhat?! You've reassured me that he should be fine, it's nice to know marginateds...

I have just remembered also that I am planning to get a new MVB this week... After reading that they should probably be changed every 6 months or so. I've had one of these http://www.bluelizardreptiles.co.uk/reptilelighting/mercuryvapourbulbs/844046003850 for around 7 months. It still gives off...