New Tortoise Owner

[Fordyce the tortoise]

Hello everyone,

My eastern Hermann's tortoise arrived last Wednesday. When the Fedex guy dropped him off, he asked "Is there something alive in there?" I said "I sure hope so!"
This site has been very helpful. I am keeping him in a 66 quart closed chamber storage bin. Fordyce likes to bask on his rocks and climb on his log hide. Sometimes he will walk the entire length of his enclosure. Does he need more space? He is still very small.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello and welcome to you and Fordyce (immensely cute little guy)!

Yes, you need a more spacious enclosure. Not only because Fordyce can walk hundred feet a day, but because it's easier to make a temperature/lightning gradient there. Even a weak basking lamp can overheat a small tank.

But you don't have to rush if temperatures, humidity and distance to UVB lamp are correct. It's better to let him settle down.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi and welcome!

 

[wellington]

Welcome. Yes a bigger enclosure is needed soon. A 2x4 at least but a 4x8 will be needed at least when an adult.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Hello and welcome to the forum from South Florida.

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

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[Fordyce the tortoise]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I will move Fordyce to a bigger enclosure this weekend. I have 6' x 12' enclosure in the backyard. By the time he is big enough for it, I will have several tortoise friendly plants in the ground.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Please keep us updated on how Fordyce is settling in the new enclosure. Photos are welcome!

 

[EppsDynasty]

WELCOME HOME.
(You sound like a proud tort parent, so this is HOME)

 

[Fordyce the tortoise]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I will move Fordyce to a bigger enclosure this weekend. I have 6' x 12' enclosure in the backyard. By the time he is big enough for it, I will have several tortoise friendly plants in the ground.

Fordyce is now in a larger 116qt tub closed enclosure. He seems to like it a lot more. His substrate is Eco Earth and a little Repti Bark. He really enjoys being outside in his 6' by 12' enclosure. I don't leave him unattended and watch him very closely. I never tire watching him. He is awake until early afternoon then he buries himself and won't be seen until the next morning.

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome. Georgia is a great place for this species. Perfect climate!