- Joined
- May 15, 2010
- Messages
- 11
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Hi everyone! Let me just start by saying how great your forum is... If only I would have paid more attention to it before I got tortoise fever and rushed out to buy one. I have wanted one for a very very long time and I thought I did my research but by the looks of it, I have no clue what I am doing. I got him from Petco today which I realize is my first mistake. Second I was assured that the "Zilla tortoise starter kit" was EXACTLY what I needed. $300 later I feel like as soon as I can afford it I am going to have to start over.
I have posted pictures of the "kit" I have him in right now, I feel like it is to small, and the pellet like alfala stuff he is on just seems hard and uncomfy. However beings that I spent ALOT of money today I cannot afford to make many changes for a little while. Can someone tell me what I 100% need to change right now. I have a few more questions... What is the deal with the calcium powder everyone is talking about? Do I need it? If so where do I get it, when and how do I give it to him? and how often?... I live in So Cal in the Valley, it gets well over 100 degrees F during the day and we obviously do not use our air when at work, what can I do to keep him from getting to hot? Should I still keep the heat lamp on? Speaking of the heat lamp, I have one heat lamp and one UV lamp that came with the kit, do these need to stay on 24/7? I read on a few sites that russians shouldn't be kept inside. I did not realize this and besides a small patio I do not have anywhere outside to keep him. Is this bad? I also see in some pictures on the forum people have potted plants and such in thier enclosures, is this reccomended? If so, what plants should I put in there? (the plants you see in mine are fake) As far as feeding him, I have a dish with the pellets (again from the kit) and I placed some romain lettuce and shredded carrots on top, he has not touched any of it. He was moving around quite a bit at first but he has been sleeping for awhile now. Can someone tell me specifically what I need to do about the humidity, do i need to mist him? I am 24 and I do plan to purchase a house one day, would he be able to adapt to living outside after he is full grown? I'm pretty sure he is a male but is there any other way to tell besides the tail? How do I tell how old he is? I see some people have hermit crabs in their tanks, is that just for fun or is it good to have something else with the tort? That brings me to my next question, if I ever wanted to get another tortoise would they be able to live together or is it like a hamster where unless they are raised together they turn into hannibal lector? WELL I think that is it for now.... If I missed anything else important please let me know! Also here is a link to the exact kit I purchased from petco. http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/deluxe-land-turtle-tortoise-kit.htm
THANKS SO MUCH! I know this post is really confusing and annoying, I just want to make sure I do this right!
Here is a link to the photos, I canno't get them to load. http://img820.imageshack.us/g/torty2.jpg/
P.S. as I was writing this post I finally picked a name..... Professor Dumbledore.
Hi everyone! Let me just start by saying how great your forum is... If only I would have paid more attention to it before I got tortoise fever and rushed out to buy one. I have wanted one for a very very long time and I thought I did my research but by the looks of it, I have no clue what I am doing. I got him from Petco today which I realize is my first mistake. Second I was assured that the "Zilla tortoise starter kit" was EXACTLY what I needed. $300 later I feel like as soon as I can afford it I am going to have to start over.
I have posted pictures of the "kit" I have him in right now, I feel like it is to small, and the pellet like alfala stuff he is on just seems hard and uncomfy. However beings that I spent ALOT of money today I cannot afford to make many changes for a little while. Can someone tell me what I 100% need to change right now. I have a few more questions... What is the deal with the calcium powder everyone is talking about? Do I need it? If so where do I get it, when and how do I give it to him? and how often?... I live in So Cal in the Valley, it gets well over 100 degrees F during the day and we obviously do not use our air when at work, what can I do to keep him from getting to hot? Should I still keep the heat lamp on? Speaking of the heat lamp, I have one heat lamp and one UV lamp that came with the kit, do these need to stay on 24/7? I read on a few sites that russians shouldn't be kept inside. I did not realize this and besides a small patio I do not have anywhere outside to keep him. Is this bad? I also see in some pictures on the forum people have potted plants and such in thier enclosures, is this reccomended? If so, what plants should I put in there? (the plants you see in mine are fake) As far as feeding him, I have a dish with the pellets (again from the kit) and I placed some romain lettuce and shredded carrots on top, he has not touched any of it. He was moving around quite a bit at first but he has been sleeping for awhile now. Can someone tell me specifically what I need to do about the humidity, do i need to mist him? I am 24 and I do plan to purchase a house one day, would he be able to adapt to living outside after he is full grown? I'm pretty sure he is a male but is there any other way to tell besides the tail? How do I tell how old he is? I see some people have hermit crabs in their tanks, is that just for fun or is it good to have something else with the tort? That brings me to my next question, if I ever wanted to get another tortoise would they be able to live together or is it like a hamster where unless they are raised together they turn into hannibal lector? WELL I think that is it for now.... If I missed anything else important please let me know! Also here is a link to the exact kit I purchased from petco. http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/deluxe-land-turtle-tortoise-kit.htm
THANKS SO MUCH! I know this post is really confusing and annoying, I just want to make sure I do this right!
Here is a link to the photos, I canno't get them to load. http://img820.imageshack.us/g/torty2.jpg/
P.S. as I was writing this post I finally picked a name..... Professor Dumbledore.