chloeeljay
New Member
Hello 
My name is Chloe. I am 19 and I have been researching into getting a tortoise for a pet for two or so years now. I just haven’t made the leap yet!
I came very close to getting a young Russian tortoise a few days ago but chickened out. I want to provide my tortoise with the best love and care I can... and I am just worried about it, you know?
I know what food to feed the tortoise (and what not to feed the tortoise), I know it needs a gentle clean every once in a while and some calcium too. I know that the tortoise needs to be able to roam and bask and have a drop in temperature at either end of the enclosure etc and that the lights need to be on for 12 or so hours each day and off at night. I went to see my local reptile centre today and they have vivariums. I was thinking of buying one of those. (Yes, I will cover the glass so the tortoise doesn’t get confused by the glass if needed.)
The assistant showed me how it worked. There was a small basking bulb, a main (UVB I think?) light and a thermostat; he also mentioned a heat mat?
So... question 1... is that sufficient for a tortoise enclosure? Will the tort not overheat from the light and the mat (and the warmth of my centrally heated home)? What about the temperature - is it safe to turn the lights off and drop the temperature in the evenings... and to what temperature?
(Yes I know I should have asked him this; I was too mesmerised by the baby Hermanns)
Secondly. I have my eye on a Russian tortoise but I have also fallen in love with the Hermann breed - adorable! I want a small tortoise, as I don’t think it is fair to keep a huge tortoise in one enclosure, whereas smaller tortoises mean it is manageable. Which breed would you recommend?
Thirdly, I live in a house that is adapted for a disabled person (myself) which unfortunately means my garden is not the largest. Summertime is also rather temperamental, sometimes sunny and hot, sometimes very cold and rainy. During these months, do I let the tortoise roam outside? Would I need an outdoor pen for the tort or do I just let him roam and bring him indoors afterwards?
Thank you for reading. I am a very anxious owner. Sometimes I worry that I shouldn’t be getting a tortoise. Does it sound like I am prepared? Is there anything I have missed? Or need to know?
Thanks,
Chloe
My name is Chloe. I am 19 and I have been researching into getting a tortoise for a pet for two or so years now. I just haven’t made the leap yet! I came very close to getting a young Russian tortoise a few days ago but chickened out. I want to provide my tortoise with the best love and care I can... and I am just worried about it, you know?
I know what food to feed the tortoise (and what not to feed the tortoise), I know it needs a gentle clean every once in a while and some calcium too. I know that the tortoise needs to be able to roam and bask and have a drop in temperature at either end of the enclosure etc and that the lights need to be on for 12 or so hours each day and off at night. I went to see my local reptile centre today and they have vivariums. I was thinking of buying one of those. (Yes, I will cover the glass so the tortoise doesn’t get confused by the glass if needed.)
The assistant showed me how it worked. There was a small basking bulb, a main (UVB I think?) light and a thermostat; he also mentioned a heat mat?
So... question 1... is that sufficient for a tortoise enclosure? Will the tort not overheat from the light and the mat (and the warmth of my centrally heated home)? What about the temperature - is it safe to turn the lights off and drop the temperature in the evenings... and to what temperature?
(Yes I know I should have asked him this; I was too mesmerised by the baby Hermanns
)Secondly. I have my eye on a Russian tortoise but I have also fallen in love with the Hermann breed - adorable! I want a small tortoise, as I don’t think it is fair to keep a huge tortoise in one enclosure, whereas smaller tortoises mean it is manageable. Which breed would you recommend?
Thirdly, I live in a house that is adapted for a disabled person (myself) which unfortunately means my garden is not the largest. Summertime is also rather temperamental, sometimes sunny and hot, sometimes very cold and rainy. During these months, do I let the tortoise roam outside? Would I need an outdoor pen for the tort or do I just let him roam and bring him indoors afterwards?
Thank you for reading. I am a very anxious owner. Sometimes I worry that I shouldn’t be getting a tortoise. Does it sound like I am prepared? Is there anything I have missed? Or need to know?
Thanks,
Chloe
