I recently bought a Hermann's Tortoise which I have named Nobunaga and the pet store staff gave me... well... not internet advice. Having read up a little online I have done my best to modify the enclosure.
Some people say a vivarium is a no-go and that a tortoise table must be used instead, while some say a vivarium is fine. The pet store sold me a vivarium so that is what I have to work with. The top is open, save for the mesh lid. The windows are set at a glance to allow for increased air flow. My intention is for Nobunaga to spend his youngster days in the vivarium and to make a tortoise table when he outgrows it.
Pet store person said clear windows were fine. Internet said, hell no. Although older posts I found said they had no problems with pacing. I noticed Nobunaga would try and climb/get through on the sides where there is surface outside so I blocked the window with tape, which just so happened to be reflective... Which is why in the sun side I have a wooden board and some stones as I noticed Nobunaga would still try to get through. After the wood was put in place he checked it out and quickly lost interest in climbing out.
The front is still see-through. I considered blocking view here as well, however, there is a high drop just outside and Nobunaga seems to show no intention of sky-diving. Have not noticed any pacing or climbing in the front so have left it see-through, mainly for my viewing pleasure.
Water bowl is buried to allow for easier access/exits.
Food is put on a stone as I read somewhere that the hard surface helped trim the beak. Cuttlefish bone is readily available, though it seems Nobunaga has lost interest in it. When first put in the enclosure he would nibble quite happily on it but now seems to have stopped.
Food variety consists of: Dandelion, Clover, Ecological store bought greens, baby carrot once a week. Sprinkled with EXO TERRA MULTI VITAMIN. Any advice on how often I should sprinkle this (if at all) is welcome. At the moment i do it everyday. Have considered sprinkling calcium as well since Nobunaga lost interest in the cuttlefish.
As you can see in the pictures I only have the basking light in the corner with a bulb the store said covered everything the tortoise would need.
I've read that you need a UVB strip light across the entirety of the enclosure, is this necessary?
Any advice and critique is welcome. It is my intention to give Nobunaga the best life a captive tortoise can have so anything I can do to improve his life quality is appreciated. Many hugs and thanks in advance.
Picture of Nobunaga added for flair. Though wether Nobunaga is indeed male or female remains to be seen.
Some people say a vivarium is a no-go and that a tortoise table must be used instead, while some say a vivarium is fine. The pet store sold me a vivarium so that is what I have to work with. The top is open, save for the mesh lid. The windows are set at a glance to allow for increased air flow. My intention is for Nobunaga to spend his youngster days in the vivarium and to make a tortoise table when he outgrows it.
Pet store person said clear windows were fine. Internet said, hell no. Although older posts I found said they had no problems with pacing. I noticed Nobunaga would try and climb/get through on the sides where there is surface outside so I blocked the window with tape, which just so happened to be reflective... Which is why in the sun side I have a wooden board and some stones as I noticed Nobunaga would still try to get through. After the wood was put in place he checked it out and quickly lost interest in climbing out.
The front is still see-through. I considered blocking view here as well, however, there is a high drop just outside and Nobunaga seems to show no intention of sky-diving. Have not noticed any pacing or climbing in the front so have left it see-through, mainly for my viewing pleasure.
Water bowl is buried to allow for easier access/exits.
Food is put on a stone as I read somewhere that the hard surface helped trim the beak. Cuttlefish bone is readily available, though it seems Nobunaga has lost interest in it. When first put in the enclosure he would nibble quite happily on it but now seems to have stopped.
Food variety consists of: Dandelion, Clover, Ecological store bought greens, baby carrot once a week. Sprinkled with EXO TERRA MULTI VITAMIN. Any advice on how often I should sprinkle this (if at all) is welcome. At the moment i do it everyday. Have considered sprinkling calcium as well since Nobunaga lost interest in the cuttlefish.
As you can see in the pictures I only have the basking light in the corner with a bulb the store said covered everything the tortoise would need.
I've read that you need a UVB strip light across the entirety of the enclosure, is this necessary?
Any advice and critique is welcome. It is my intention to give Nobunaga the best life a captive tortoise can have so anything I can do to improve his life quality is appreciated. Many hugs and thanks in advance.
Picture of Nobunaga added for flair. Though wether Nobunaga is indeed male or female remains to be seen.