Will I be suitable as a tortoise owner?

Clare_Watson

New Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2019
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5
Location (City and/or State)
Southport, UK
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
 

TechnoCheese

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If it’s going to live outside, you could create a 4x4 or 8x4 (depending on if the tortoise still has access to the yard) insulated, heated night box. You could also hibernate or house indoors during the winter. The tortoise does not need a window.

For indoor housing, a hermann’s tortoise requires a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet. 3x3 is too small.

Be sure to give the threads in our Hermann’s tortoise section a read :)
 

Blackdog1714

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THis is the forum to go from Newb to Master-ish. I had now clue so I focused on dialing on my indoor-rubbermaid 55 gallon for my baby Russian. Took a while tweeking the location ans sizes of the CHE's, but I have an awesome and steady 80's humidity with 83-90 for temps at all times. My piglet has thanked me by growing so well. I owe all my tortie knowledge to the wonderful group of people on TFO. AT times they may seem a little snarky, but imagine being asked the same question 100 times over 1 month and how would you start to respond. Please read the care sheets and check out the enclosures- indoor and out. You will quickly see there are many torties on here with a life most humans would envy!!. Good luck and please include pictures so we may see to help guide you.
 

hollyandT

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Jan 22, 2019
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Hull
Hi! I live in the uk also!

I own a horse field tortoise and 3ft x 3ft is more than enough space for a horse field or a young Herman’s tortoise :)

I think the out house would be a good place but I prefer having my tortoise in my house so I can keep eyes on him at all times (they’re nice to observe)

Also an out door run would be perfect but remember that they can dig so you’d have to make sure that the fencing goes down into the ground to be on the safe side.

I think you sound like a great potential tortoise owner overall :)
 

TechnoCheese

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Hi! I live in the uk also!

I own a horse field tortoise and 3ft x 3ft is more than enough space for a horse field or a young Herman’s tortoise :)

I think the out house would be a good place but I prefer having my tortoise in my house so I can keep eyes on him at all times (they’re nice to observe)

Also an out door run would be perfect but remember that they can dig so you’d have to make sure that the fencing goes down into the ground to be on the safe side.

I think you sound like a great potential tortoise owner overall :)

Do you mean young horse field?
 

Clare_Watson

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Feb 12, 2019
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Southport, UK
Thanks everyone, I think I’m a bit of a worrier but I just really want to get it right for them! I’m leaning more towards keeping them inside and expanding the table out as they grow, with access to an outside enclosure on warmer days! Would miss them in the outhouse I think! Just deciding on what age would be suitable for a table ie how young can they be to live in one rather than a vivarium. Nothing against a vivarium I just love the tables but want to make sure I get humidity right in it for a youngster. If I can’t I will go for a older one. Thank you for all your advice, this is a brilliant forum to be a member of!
 

Cheryl Hills

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H
Thanks everyone, I think I’m a bit of a worrier but I just really want to get it right for them! I’m leaning more towards keeping them inside and expanding the table out as they grow, with access to an outside enclosure on warmer days! Would miss them in the outhouse I think! Just deciding on what age would be suitable for a table ie how young can they be to live in one rather than a vivarium. Nothing against a vivarium I just love the tables but want to make sure I get humidity right in it for a youngster. If I can’t I will go for a older one. Thank you for all your advice, this is a brilliant forum to be a member of!
Happy birthday
 

wellington

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OMG you will be a horrible owner lol
I'm only kidding, I just couldn't help myself.
Happy Birthday btw.
You joined this forum and that's a great first start. Forget everything you read that wasn't on this forum and read everything you can on this forum that pertains to the type of tortoise your getting.
Whenever you have any questions, problems, or concerns there are a bunch of caring people on this forum that will help you through anything.
We even try to help those that just need a safe friendly place to share their personal problems too.
You, with the help of this forum can be a great tortoise owner
 
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