Today, my partner and I went to our local aquatics centre. To our surprise, in the reptile and amphibian section we discovered 5 new Hermann tortoises.
Here is the issue:
- all five, are inhabiting a small vivarium (about 40x40x30cm)
- the food on display looked like wilted green salad leaves
- there wasn't a great supply of water
- the heat lamp looked too low and not hot enough
- there was a complete absence of UV bulbs
I know that this is the environment that these tortoises will be doomed to suffer if and when they are sold with the expensive, but inadequate, vivaria on offer.
My question is whether or not we should buy two of them, giving them the environment they deserve, or leave them to be sold with misleading information.
I don't want to condone pet shops selling tortoises in this manner, but I know that we can help the tortoises only by buying them.
We would be grateful for any advice given.
Thanks,
Nick and Chez
Here is the issue:
- all five, are inhabiting a small vivarium (about 40x40x30cm)
- the food on display looked like wilted green salad leaves
- there wasn't a great supply of water
- the heat lamp looked too low and not hot enough
- there was a complete absence of UV bulbs
I know that this is the environment that these tortoises will be doomed to suffer if and when they are sold with the expensive, but inadequate, vivaria on offer.
My question is whether or not we should buy two of them, giving them the environment they deserve, or leave them to be sold with misleading information.
I don't want to condone pet shops selling tortoises in this manner, but I know that we can help the tortoises only by buying them.
We would be grateful for any advice given.
Thanks,
Nick and Chez