Clare_Watson
New Member
Hi everyone
I’m a total tortoise newbie who has been researching tortoises and would like some advice from actual owners as everything I’m reading so far can contradict at times and I’m worried I inadvertently won’t give the best care to my tortoise if and when we adopt one. I wouldn’t want to take one on if I’m not going to be able to provide a happy life for it.
I live in Southport in the U.K. with my hubby and 2 cats (both are indoor and outdoor) and I’d really like to adopt a tortoise. I work from home and I’m only out of the house for 2 full days per week. We have a house with a garden that has an unused shed with a window at the bottom of it and we also have a brick outhouse that has an electrical supply but no windows.
I know tortoises are best to live outside, but I think it would be too cold for a lot of the year. I was thinking it could have the outhouse as it’s shelter with a heater and light (id make it a smaller enclosure in there) but would it need windows in it? The shed has a window but no electrical supply.
It could also live inside, and I have 2 spaces in my dining room I could have a tortoise table. Do they need to be rectangular or could a custom made corner one that has a rounded/hexagonal shaped side work too? It would be around 3ft X 3ft, is this a suitable size? I was thinking I could keep it inside when it’s too cold, use the outside to have a fridge in for hibernation and have an outdoor run/enclosure for it to go in over the summer in the day time and back inside overnight if needed, or possibly covert the shed for summer use when a heater wouldn’t be needed. It could also run around in our garden when I’m there as it is secure.
From what I’ve read I think a Hermann’s tortoise would be most suitable, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Clare
I’m a total tortoise newbie who has been researching tortoises and would like some advice from actual owners as everything I’m reading so far can contradict at times and I’m worried I inadvertently won’t give the best care to my tortoise if and when we adopt one. I wouldn’t want to take one on if I’m not going to be able to provide a happy life for it.
I live in Southport in the U.K. with my hubby and 2 cats (both are indoor and outdoor) and I’d really like to adopt a tortoise. I work from home and I’m only out of the house for 2 full days per week. We have a house with a garden that has an unused shed with a window at the bottom of it and we also have a brick outhouse that has an electrical supply but no windows.
I know tortoises are best to live outside, but I think it would be too cold for a lot of the year. I was thinking it could have the outhouse as it’s shelter with a heater and light (id make it a smaller enclosure in there) but would it need windows in it? The shed has a window but no electrical supply.
It could also live inside, and I have 2 spaces in my dining room I could have a tortoise table. Do they need to be rectangular or could a custom made corner one that has a rounded/hexagonal shaped side work too? It would be around 3ft X 3ft, is this a suitable size? I was thinking I could keep it inside when it’s too cold, use the outside to have a fridge in for hibernation and have an outdoor run/enclosure for it to go in over the summer in the day time and back inside overnight if needed, or possibly covert the shed for summer use when a heater wouldn’t be needed. It could also run around in our garden when I’m there as it is secure.
From what I’ve read I think a Hermann’s tortoise would be most suitable, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Clare