Tortoise home

[jay435]

Hi guys I have just bought a 3 year old horsefield tortoise and he is quite big but he came in this tank is it ok for him I have just bought a 24" uvb bulb and a 75watt heat bulb
I have been told he should not be in a tank like home ? Is he in danger
Please help
Thank you

 

[JoesMum]

Hi

I have a couple of things you need to read carefully

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Horsfield (Russian) Care Sheet
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Your setup is arid. Your tort needs more space and also needs humidity.

Sand does not hold moisture and sticks to food causing impaction in the gut. If you read and act on the links above you will be able to make the necessary changes

 

[Lyn W]

Hi and welcome - you are in the right place to put things right for your new addition and Joesmum has already pointed you the right direction for good advice and mentioned the substrate.
Vivs are widely used but that one is much too small for a tort that size, a minimum floor space of 4' x 8' is often recommended. Is that a cardboard box you have for his hide? If so you need to change that as it will go soggy and mouldy and could be a fire hazard. Some people use up turned plastic boxes/tubs with doors cut in them. Also a cheap terracotta plant saucer, big enough for him to self soak in, will be much easier for him to use if you sink it level with the substrate. Have a look at the Enclosures thread - it is full of great ideas for a safe and healthy home for your tort.
Where are you located and are you able to provide a large outdoor enclosure for some real sun time?

 

[jay435]

Thanks guys when I get paid I am going to buy a nice big viv as I have just spent 325 on buying him with his setup I new it was not right with other people's set ups I will keep you all posted

Also what size would I need if I were to get him a companion

Thanks

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Jay, and welcome to the Forum!

It's too bad that's too small for a Horsefield tortoise, as it's a beautiful enclosure.

Don't be thinking in terms of 'companion.' Tortoises are solitary creatures. They neither want nor need a companion. If you add another Horsefields to your existing tortoises "territory" he'll fight to get that new guy/gal out of the territory. Sometimes they fight to the death of one of them.

A used 4 shelf book case laying on its back is a good size for a horsefield tortoise. Take out the shelves and line it with plastic sheeting and decorate to your heart's content.

 

[Yvonne G]

It's a shame to have that nice enclosure go to waste. After you set the tortoise up in something else, buy yourself a lizard or big spider or something to keep in this one.

 

[Lyn W]

Please read this,
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...together-a-lesson-learned-the-hard-way.94114/