Possibly getting some older tortoises

[zoon]

I may be acquiring 2 female tortoises - about 50 years old. They are both having their ovaries out and if they pull through will be in need of a new home. I've not had tortoises before so have been reading up. I am not sure what type they are (will ask vet as he knows - he did mention it) but they are about 18" long. I have a good tortoise proof garden, and they hibernate over winter, but what do I do with such large tortoises when it is cold like today. My research talks about tortoise tables, but surely not for such big ones! I don't have room for such a big table in my house! So am a bit confused. All the new owner advice seems to assume you'll get a baby one!

 

[Sealine]

Can i suggest you try a reptile forum. I found this one:

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/shelled-turtles-tortoise/

You could also try to find a specialist exotic pet shop for advice. I don't know where you are but there is a Wrigglies Exotic Pet in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. I'm sure there must be similar shops around the country.

Good luck with them. I recall a friend had one as a child called Lightening.

 

[Nudibranch]

Do you have a shed or barn corner, etc, you could convert? I would guess an indoor enclosure with an infrared light in one corner would suit them, you could let them out on nice days. Or even have an outdoor run attached. They sound like big girls!

Failing that, a rabbit/chicken type house and run with a warm spot for them to bask?

 

[zoon]

I have a large tack room, but it is not heated. Would the infrared lamp be enough? Would they need this if kept in the house?

 

[Bearsmum]

Good luck! To be honest Dougal is 70+ & out in all but the very worst weather once the frosts have stopped. When it's cold and damp he'll just find a bush in the garden to crawl under or pop himself in our garden shed - I leave the door open anyway. So if your garden has plenty of natural protection I wouldn't worry, although you can spend a while searching for them, it's amazing how they camouflage into the garden. Or you could just provide a shelter along the lines of a dog kennel type building for them to wander into.
I've only once had a heat lamp for him, but that was when he was ill and had to be kept awake to be fed through the winter.
JD

 

[Lanky Loll]

Our neighbours have various tortoises that live in a heated outbuilding - they have access to the outside but heatlamps inside for when the weather's pants, and I think they take them in the house for hibernation. The only problem they seem to have is one of my cats likes the warm too