New little boy

[ErikaViolet]

Hi guys,

I just got my fist ever tortoise, he's a young Horsfield he turns 1 on 21st of June. Here's a pic of him burrowing, he's a little shy right now. The problem is I can't think of a name for him! Any ideas?

 

[JoesMum]

Blimey. That was quick! I wasn't expecting you to find one so quickly. S/he is very cute.

I suggest you go for a gender neutral name as there's no telling what sex s/he will be for quite a while!

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Erika

 

[Rue]

Congrats!

Who's your favourite: author, actor, philosopher...etc.? Should be some great names you can pick from.

 

[ErikaViolet]

He came with this lamp, no mention of what lamp it is but its 9W, I'm going to the store tomorrow to pick up the supplies I know I need. Should I replace the lamp?

 

[ErikaViolet]

Blimey. That was quick! I wasn't expecting you to find one so quickly. S/he is very cute.

I suggest you go for a gender neutral name as there's no telling what sex s/he will be for quite a while!

Hi! I know!! As luck would have it I found a genuine family who had tortoises and they had babies! He's got a very pointy tail which is why they've presumed I guess but you're totally right! I was thinking something tortoise related.

 

[Jacqui]

Digger

 

[JoesMum]

Unfortunately that lamp is a coil type UVB - the type that harms eyes. It provides no heat.

You need to get rid of that.

Your tort needs basking heat so it can digest food and a different UVB bulb

This can be done in two ways:

1. Buy a single Mercury Vapour Bulb that does both jobs in one lamp

2. Buy a tube UVB fitting and a separate reflector basking lamp (only provides heat and no UVB)

Don't buy a specialist reptile bowl for water. They're not safe with small torts. Just use a terracotta plant saucer - it's cheaper as well!

Put food on a piece of flat tile or slate

 

[ErikaViolet]

Digger

Wow, perfect! Thank you, digger it is!

 

[ErikaViolet]

Unfortunately that lamp is a coil type UVB - the type that harms eyes. It provides no heat.

You need to get rid of that.

Your tort needs basking heat so it can digest food and a different UVB bulb

This can be done in two ways:

1. Buy a single Mercury Vapour Bulb that does both jobs in one lamp

2. Buy a tube UVB fitting and a separate reflector basking lamp (only provides heat and no UVB)

Don't buy a specialist reptile bowl for water. They're not safe with small torts. Just use a terracotta plant saucer - it's cheaper as well!

Put food on a piece of flat tile or slate

Thanks so much for the advice! I knew the lamp was wrong, I'm disappointed :-( no slate, no rocks, not enough dirt (I helped him build a little burrow in the corner) he's in a box at least. He'll be okay for tonight. Going to sort all of this out tomorrow morning he will have a brand new home with everything he needs

 

[ErikaViolet]

More pics

 

[Speedy-1]

Digger is Cutie Erika !

 

[annabell.the.sulcata]

Congradulations you could name it chase, Sheldon,or Tucker ?

 

[annabell.the.sulcata]

Or even digger/dugger since he dug a hole

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Cute little Russian! That bulb looks like a flood light or incandescent, but don't look like a coil bulb. It might be ok. I would wait for more experienced people to tell you. It could be a halogen bulb. But he does need the uvb bulb. I would start with a new one anyway, that way you are sure of what you have. Good luck.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Congratulations on your great looking tortoise!

 

[ErikaViolet]

Thanks everyone! I'm off out to buy some things, I'll get a knew light as I want to know what equipment I have! Digger was well burrowed this morning, it took me 20 minutes to coax him out now he's sunbathing with his leg out!

 

[Ellie:)]

Hi

Hi guys,

I just got my fist ever tortoise, he's a young Horsfield he turns 1 on 21st of June. Here's a pic of him burrowing, he's a little shy right now. The problem is I can't think of a name for him! Any ideas? View attachment 170185

Hi!

I'm just wondering if you got your tort off a woman in County Durham?

He has the same birthday as my little guy and I see that you're from Newcastle.

Mine also came with the wrong light and I have made A LOT of changes since getting him.

I've attached a picture of him and his new enclosure.

Would love to hear back from you!

 

[Tom]

Congrats on the new baby.

The coir is a great substrate for them, but no hay. Horsfields don't eat it and its a mold risk.

Also, your lamp and fixture combo there is a great big fire risk right now. That bulb is WAYYYYYYY larger than the 9 watts your fixture is rated for. I've never seen a fixture rated so low. You need a fixture rated for more watts than what you will use, and your fixture needs to have a ceramic base. Like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Designers-Edge-10-1-2-in-Brooder-Lamp-with-Hang-Hook-0165/204667675

Please read these for a bunch more care info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[ErikaViolet]

Hi


Hi!

I'm just wondering if you got your tort off a woman in County Durham?

He has the same birthday as my little guy and I see that you're from Newcastle.

Mine also came with the wrong light and I have made A LOT of changes since getting him.

I've attached a picture of him and his new enclosure.

Would love to hear back from you!

View attachment 170243
View attachment 170244

Hi

I didn't no, I bought him from a person in east boldon. But that's so cute that they have the same birthday, maybe they are siblings! I wonder why they give the wrong lights, I'm glad to hear you've made lots of changes though! I made a start today but need rocks! He looks so cute and that's a great set up I bet he's really happy!

Digger became very active when I added the new things to his home he loves these plastic leaves!