tortoise in United Kingdom and temperatures

[Babypetch]

Hi guysI need some advice I have a 1 year old horse field tortoise and live in the uk and this weekend is meant to be around 25C can I put him in the garden in these temps or is it too cold? Thank you and sorry again

 

[Babypetch]

Thank you who ever made this into a post for me

 

[JoesMum]

This weekend will be perfect for tortoises out doors in the UK. We just have hope that summer doesn't end on Monday

My Joe is outside and running round like a loon at the moment

Please see this thread about outdoor care in the UK http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/outdoor-accommodation-in-a-colder-uk-climate.140866/

 

[Babypetch]

Thank you, he's just so tiny I don't want him to be cold, what temperature should I bring him in at? Xx

 

[JoesMum]

With a tiny like yours, let him warm up indoors and then move him to the outdoor enclosure as soon as the sun is on it. Bring him in whenever he's packed up for the day... probably about 4pm

He'll have a ball!

Don't let him roam outdoors freely. With the best will in the world, you will lose him. They are VERY fast on a warm day. He must have a proper outdorr enclosure.

 

[Babypetch]

Thank you so much and your Joe is gorgeous! And yes he has a proper outdoor enclosure can not wait to get him outside in the sunshine xx

 

[Babypetch]

This is my little guy xx

 

[JoesMum]

Hi

Your little guy is very cute

You could do with making some changes to his indoor enclosure to give him the best start. That is not a good substrate as it is far too dry.

I suggest that you read these
Beginner mistakes http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

And then come back to us with photos of your enclosure and any questions so that we can help you get it right.

 

[Babypetch]

Oh I didn't even realise! That was me taking someone else's advice, I was originally going to buy some bark chips but someone told me no would you say that would be OK? X

 

[JoesMum]

The substrate of choice on here is orchid bark or coco coir. Some use Cypress Mulch. These are substrates that you can mix with water so they are damp and raise humidity.

You must have the correct temperatures in the enclosure to do this as cold and damp makes a tortoise sick. Warm and damp is fine!

Unfortunately there are many out-of-date and ill-informed people out on the internet and in pet shops... and unfortunately some breeders too.. who keep tortoises far too dry and the animal ends up badly pyramidded.

We are lucky yo have some species experts on this forum who have written fantastic care sheets to help correct the misinformation and help people get things right.

Read the links above and pay particular attention to what they say about substrate, heat and light and food bowls.

What are you using for UVB? If it looks like a low-energy light bulb then it should be changed out as they cause damage to tortoise's eyes.

Your tort's diet should be leafy greens - it can't digest sugars properly so fruit, tomato, pepper and carrot should only be fed very occasionally.

 

[Babypetch]

Under his heat bulb the temps are around 33-35C down the warm end its around 28-32 and cool end is around 21-23 and at night I let the temps drop he eats all greens and plants I feed him hibiscus, rose petals, dandelions and other weeds

 

[Babypetch]

And for his uv I have a strip bulb

 

[JoesMum]

Sounds like it's just the substrate that need fixing then

 

[Babypetch]

Yes thank you for picking up on that though, I'll be going shopping tomorrow for something better! I'm never really sure what the humidity should be but I always try to keep his humidity levels between 45-55%.

 

[JoesMum]

There' more useful information in the baby tortoise care sheet http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

You may be able to extract some things from that too.