Any Tortoise owners on here?

[poiuytrewq]

Ive fairly recently got a little Horsfield tortoise, Think its female and about 3 years old. Am a little obsessed right now after always loving them but not thinking they were really kept as pets any more these days until a friend acquired one.

 

[Whooh]

My dad used to own one, i swear they hibernate like all winter? His used to live in a greenhouse.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Lol, im scared about the whole hibernation thing- apparently theres a lot more to it than packing them up in a box and putting away for the winter!

 

[p87]

I do, also a horsfield! Is there anything in particular you're struggling with?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Oh wow! Not really I don't think no, just be nice to know of someone else who keeps them and is maybe a bit more experienced!
How long have you had yours for? Do you hibernate? I understand you don't actually have to but that its recommended?

 

[p87]

Yes it's recommended, as they would hibernate in the wild and it stops them from developing problems from over growth. It's essentially a break for their bodies.

I'll PM you a copy of a care sheet I made up for my local pet shop who really didn't have a clue! Lot's of useful information in it!

 

[sonjafoers]

Hi, I've got 3 free range horsfields and let's just say it's been a steep learning curve!

There are quite a few people on here with them and threads often pop up so if you need any help there's plenty of advice available.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Brilliant! Sonofjars Id really love to get more but it would mean halving the outside space that mine currently has as no more room really in the garden and I don't really want to be running two sets of lights etc! Im hoping mine is a female and when im sure in the future I may be able to find another adult female and keep them together. Are yours together?
P87 Id love to see a copy of your care sheet please, that would be really interesting.
Sadly you should have heard some of the advice I had in a pet shop, they had some for sale and so I started chatting to the keeper and was stunned- In my 3 months I know ten times more than the rubbish they told me (and sadly probably told the people who purchased the poor things)
Do you guys hibernate in a fridge? Im hoping that's not an essential item as I have no where really to put one!

 

[p87]

I emailed it to you, took about 3 emails though as it was too long! There are some good links in there too to help you with hibernation

 

[sonjafoers]

Yes mine are all together, I originally had a male bought for me as a christmas present so we bought him what we were told was a female who turned out to be a male - like you we had terrible advice from the pet shop and were also sold the wrong sex, which in an aggressive breed like the horsfield is NOT a good idea! I've had those for quite a few years now and 2 months ago we decided to buy 2 females to keep the boys occupied, we ordered them through a reptile specialist and they were much smaller than expected when they arrived. Sadly one died so we now have 2 males and a young female which again is not supposed to be a good mix.

However because they are free range and have enough space to get away from each other if necessary there never seems to be any trouble, one of the males got a bit bossy with the girls initially then gave up and the other ignored them. I will hibernate the boys this winter but not the young female so she should grow on a bit.

I've had mixed success with hibernation over the years and the fridge method does seem to be the best way. In the past the temperature has warmed up dramatically during hibernation ( it was 13 degrees one January ) so in the fridge you can keep a constant 3 - 5 degrees and not have to worry. I always ensure mine are in top health before hibernating, I didn't hibernate them last year due to the terrible summer we had and didn't want to take any chances.

I will say I had a nightmare looking after mine initially, they wouldn't eat anything other than those awful pellets and everything I picked, bought, grew got left. We also have also had a million attempts at providing them with a correct shelter and nothing worked to my satisfaction so this spring we paid a fortune for a builder to build them a special house and they love it. I now grow seeds from the special tortoise packs you can buy online, let them go in & out as they please and generally don't worry about them at all!

 

[p87]

Here is a great group on Facebook, everyone is lovely and so helpful, if you've not already, join!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/227063067352374/

 

[poiuytrewq]

Here is a great group on Facebook, everyone is lovely and so helpful, if you've not already, join!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/227063067352374/

Thank you so much for the care sheet- Its brilliant. I will print it off and keep for future ref.
I am already a member of Billy's, not sure how I came across it but your right, lovely people and great advice. Also very good at id's of weeds I have no idea on.