That's how I'm set up now (heat biased towards bedroom end) and 15 mins after lights on, guaranteed he's out of his hide and basking on his rock waiting for something tasty to eat.
When I first set up, It was opposite end and he would take far longer to wake up... I figured morning heat was the...
Your welcome, yes you certainly don't want it ' damp in there' but humidity (up to a point) is beneficial.
I start my day at "lights on" with a quick misting over the substrate with a spray bottle, that's it.
The coir holds humidity to burrow into and the bark provides a dry top layer so no...
there is tonnes of conflicting info on substrate, from personal experience I don't use soil as my tort likes to try and scoff it... I use coco coir base and top with orchid bark.
The coir holds humidity nicely for burrowing and the bark provides a dry top layer for general mobility. Most...
Hi, Personally I'd swap out the hemp for some cocoa coir (misted daily) topped with coarse orchid bar,
Deep enough in places for him to dig into.
Hemp potentially is an impaction risk (blocked digestive system)
As for diet, variety is the biggest key.
Shop bought 'salads' hold little...
As mentioned, you need to be strong and stubborn... Your tortoise will cave before you do, it's for his own good and will be happier and healthier for it.
He won't actually starve himself to death... he will just try and call your bluff
I was just reading through this thread from the beginning, what a little beauty he was bless him!
And kudos to you guys for trying your very best for him...
I was not expecting to read such a tragic ending.
I'm terribly sorry for your loss... I hope he's basking in tort heaven, surrounded by...
Hi, for a start your horsfield isn't supposed to eat fruit... it can upset the gut flora because of the high sugar content. Banana in particular is also high in starch and potassium.
He should be getting a mix of Broadleaf weeds and flowers, supplemented with shop bought greens for extra bulk...
Hi and welcome, that looks to be a Russian tortoise - AKA Horsfield tortoise.
Check out the Russian tort care sheet on the forum. All the information you need is in there so have a good read and come back with any questions
Yea that's tort wee, if he's well hydrated then you won't always see urates... just the 'clear liquid'. If you allowed that puddle to dry naturally you will see a white residue left over. That's the trace urates remaining.
Yes they are both safe herbs although some torts don't find them palatable... always worth offering incase though, a wide variety is key for sure.
Yes I've got several spider plants within my hermanns indoor enclosure. He has the odd nibble but mostly just uses it for hiding.
Enjoy your...
So this would be that 'full alien mushroomy glory' that @Tom was talking about not long ago ?? jeeez, that lil fella is packing quite the 'pecker'... like a freakin third leg
Your welcome!
Ok, well just be mindful that not all exotic specialists are tortoise trained but are willing to 'learn at your expense'.
Don't hesitate to seek a second opinion if your unsure.
If you've got him on a solid diet, and his temps, humidity and enclosure are on point then he will be...
Right,
Firstly although you have a thermostat in use it would appear you don't actually know an exact tempreture your running in various parts of the enclosure (Warm side/Cool side/basking area/night...
So you could do with adding at least one thermometer with a probe.
Second.
I also notice...