Hi all, I come to this forum to learn as much I can so I can be the best tortoise owner and caretaker I can. Six months ago, I bought a baby Hermann tort who, I thought was doing great until 2 months later when one day he was dead under his hide - I was crushed, and did more reading to figure out how I can not have this happen again.
My name is Ann and I just had the WORSE experience at a local reptile store when I tried to talk to the sales person about their general care advice for my new juvenile Hermann Tortoise, specifically concerning substrate and soaking. The man immediately threw up his hands and literally yelled/admonished me for even trying to have a Hermann, especially since I got him from an on-line supplier (of which I think did a great job of shipping him quick, safe and healthy so far). Basically he guaranteed my poor tort is going to die. I left in tears and immediately went home to continue my research and to double check what I thought I knew from previous reading, which brought me here.
I named my hermann tort Boris, I don't know his sex or what exact kind of hermann, at least yet. I want him to be happy and healthy. The shell is 2.5" long and about 2" wide. I've had him only 24 hrs, and he's already been very active with burrowing in the mulch, drinking water, eating the supplier pellets and kale greens and pooped a couple times. I think so far he's alright, except his right back middle claw is missing. I hope it will grow back or not significantly disadvantage him in the future. Below is him yesterday.
For the thanksgiving weekend he has to stay in a temporary home I made for him out of a large cardboard box. See below picture to get an idea. I have a heat lamp on the left side and full spectrum light too.
For starters, I am looking at what is the best substrate for the little guy both now and in his homemade wooden tank which will be done on Monday. My concern is that the current cypress mulch (from manufacturer Country Mulch) may be too course..I can pick out larger pieces which seems to be what others said elsewhere in the forum. The mean sales rep forced a Compressed Coconut fiber substrate on me (in addition to a new UVA and UVB light saying my other one was trash).
Any advice is appreciated, my experience today just rattled my previous sense of excitement. I feel like a new parent frenzied to make sure I am not doing something terribly wrong.
I am grateful for so many owners, advocates and enthusiasts to be in the same place - it is comforting to know there is a lot of advice, information and knowledge here.
Thanks.
My name is Ann and I just had the WORSE experience at a local reptile store when I tried to talk to the sales person about their general care advice for my new juvenile Hermann Tortoise, specifically concerning substrate and soaking. The man immediately threw up his hands and literally yelled/admonished me for even trying to have a Hermann, especially since I got him from an on-line supplier (of which I think did a great job of shipping him quick, safe and healthy so far). Basically he guaranteed my poor tort is going to die. I left in tears and immediately went home to continue my research and to double check what I thought I knew from previous reading, which brought me here.
I named my hermann tort Boris, I don't know his sex or what exact kind of hermann, at least yet. I want him to be happy and healthy. The shell is 2.5" long and about 2" wide. I've had him only 24 hrs, and he's already been very active with burrowing in the mulch, drinking water, eating the supplier pellets and kale greens and pooped a couple times. I think so far he's alright, except his right back middle claw is missing. I hope it will grow back or not significantly disadvantage him in the future. Below is him yesterday.
For the thanksgiving weekend he has to stay in a temporary home I made for him out of a large cardboard box. See below picture to get an idea. I have a heat lamp on the left side and full spectrum light too.
For starters, I am looking at what is the best substrate for the little guy both now and in his homemade wooden tank which will be done on Monday. My concern is that the current cypress mulch (from manufacturer Country Mulch) may be too course..I can pick out larger pieces which seems to be what others said elsewhere in the forum. The mean sales rep forced a Compressed Coconut fiber substrate on me (in addition to a new UVA and UVB light saying my other one was trash).
Any advice is appreciated, my experience today just rattled my previous sense of excitement. I feel like a new parent frenzied to make sure I am not doing something terribly wrong.
I am grateful for so many owners, advocates and enthusiasts to be in the same place - it is comforting to know there is a lot of advice, information and knowledge here.
Thanks.
