To Tortoise or not to Tortoise...?

[FeebeeDeebee]

Am debating buying a tortoise...either a horsefield or red foot as don't grow too big. Have two burning questions that should make my mind up...1) are they terribly high maintenance? 2) what do you actually need as a starter set? (All the starter sets I've seen seem terribly expensive)
Many thanks for listening to my probably asked a million times question. Cheers

 

[naturalman91]

i wouldn't say high maintenance but you have to stay on top of it just making sure temps humidity are correct and theyt have water and there diet is correct if you stay on top of it no i wouldn't say it's high maintenance, and while yes buying the initial setup can be quite spend but it also depends on how you go i chose to make my enclosure big enough that it will be good for a few years the starter setup i'd say is

heating/lighting and the fixtures and UVB lighting
humidity and temp gauges along with a temp gun
substrate
buying or making a enclosure
plants real or fake (russian's shouldn't have fake plants they are walking garbage can's lol)
water dish and hides
and a flat feeding slate to help keep beak and nails trimmed
oh and a calcium supplement

i'm sure there is more i have forgotten that other's will add but that's everything i can think of off the top of my head i have a redfoot which i love they seem to be a very outgoing species but russian's are awesome to!

 

[FeebeeDeebee]

Thanks for your response! Just to say that I have done research but there's so much conflicting advice out there...am I correct in thinking that red foots need a viv until a bit older (18 months ish)? Or is that a load of rubbish?

 

[FeebeeDeebee]

Oh and is it terribly bad to buy one from a specialist reptile pet shop? There's no breeders near me

 

[naturalman91]

Oh and is it terribly bad to buy one from a specialist reptile pet shop? There's no breeders near me

there is no breeder's near me either i got mine from a forum member that shipped him to me over night there are a lot of reliable for breeders or online breeders that are recommended just have to ask around, as for the red foot it's best for them to have a high humidity even as adult's it doesn't need to ultra high when the are older but they do better in high humidity, a lot of us here use closed chambers that will hold humidity, humidity is easily achieved by misting and if you use a closed chamber it holds humidity i hold a perfect 85% normally without ever having to mist

sorry my writing sucks lol

 

[FeebeeDeebee]

Your writing is fine Thanks for that...just want to make sure I can meet it's needs and get some proper advice...my head is reeling from all the conflicting advice on the web

 

[naturalman91]

Your writing is fine Thanks for that...just want to make sure I can meet it's needs and get some proper advice...my head is reeling from all the conflicting advice on the web

yeah unfortunately there is a lot of old world advice out there almost all the advice here is backed by proof from people with years worth of knowledge once you decide on a species you want there is sections dedicated to each species with info on them here on the forum

 

[FeebeeDeebee]

Great, thanks for your help

 

[johnsonnboswell]

I think it's critical to pay attention to them every day, to observe them at length, even if you're otherwise hands off. It's the way to tell if something needs fixing & to head off problems before they become dire.

 

[lismar79]

My two torts have become more like a hobby than a pet. I grow there food, I pick there food, I enjoy changing up their enclosures, and I like to watch them walk arround. Enjoyable creatures. My russian tort has such a big personality. Would not have it any other way.

 

[FeebeeDeebee]

My two torts have become more like a hobby than a pet. I grow there food, I pick there food, I enjoy changing up their enclosures, and I like to watch them walk arround. Enjoyable creatures. My russian tort has such a big personality. Would not have it any other way.

Is it possible to grow their food all year round? Bearing in mind that I live in the UK, can it be grown inside?

 

[FeebeeDeebee]

Oh and thanks to all of you for your advice...I am now the proud owner of a 4 month old Horsefield. My two year old has named him Elvis Went with the more expensive set up that'll last a few years...just to persuade the mister to build an outside run now!

 

[tortdad]

Oh and thanks to all of you for your advice...I am now the proud owner of a 4 month old Horsefield. My two year old has named him Elvis Went with the more expensive set up that'll last a few years...just to persuade the mister to build an outside run now!

Let's see some pics of your tort and his set up. That's the best way for us to help you.

 

[FeebeeDeebee]

I will be replacing the water bowl and hides for nicer/bigger ones and also need to purchase cuttlebone etc

 

[Yvonne G]

Do you know the age of your new tortoise? If he is very young, you'll need to get rid of the pellet substrate and get something you can moisten. In order to grow smooth shells, baby tortoises should start out in a humid environment.

Oh, and - Welcome to the forum!

 

[taza]

You really need to change out the substrate, its not good for tortoises.

 

[FeebeeDeebee]

Yes I've just read that on russiantortoise.org...just off to local reptile shop for the proper stuff. Thanks

 

[FeebeeDeebee]

Do you know the age of your new tortoise? If he is very young, you'll need to get rid of the pellet substrate and get something you can moisten. In order to grow smooth shells, baby tortoises should start out in a humid environment.

Oh, and - Welcome to the forum!

He's 4 months...I'm going to get some normal soil/sand substrate for now and ordered coconut coir online

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Did you get it from a breeder? How big is it? Pet stores are notorious for lying about age & origin.

Suit the water dish size to the tortoise. He should be able to get in and out with no trouble. I'm afraid you're going to find that your habitat, nice as it is, is too small.

 

[FeebeeDeebee]

From a specialist reptile breeder, they do have a shop yes but are very reputable...he's definitely 4 months and saw the parents. I know I'll need a bigger habitat but just wanted a starter set up till I've learnt more