Tortoises

[scats]

Finding myself very drawn to getting a tortoise but I’ve never had one before. Wanted one for about 20 years but always talked myself out of it. So tortoise owners, tell me all you know.
There’s one locally looking for a home that comes with full set up, but I feel I need to know more about them first before I commit.
Do they need to hibernate? Keep reading conflicting views on this.
Day to day care?
Feel free to put me off if you don’t think I should get one!

 

[millikins]

I'm not an expert but I have owned one. They are very delicate as babies, adults are far more robust. Once past a certain weight it's better for them to hibernate, even that's quite an art and many people pay professional hibernation services. I lost mine in the garden at least twice and she hibernated herself with no problems. I think they can easily become vit D deficient if kept indoors. I gave mine away in the end as I had a ferret at the time too, the stress of making sure he never got near her (she was indoors for some of the winter) was too much of a risk.
I found they have far more personality than you'd expect, mine always came to find me if I was gardening and they are charming, there's lots of information and groups on line.

 

[Hepsibah]

Lots of different sorts available with different needs. I inherited a 50+ year old African spur thighed tortoise who lives outdoors and sleeps from October to February/March in a box of leaves in the shed. Other types need to be kept indoors with a heat lamp, some don't hibernate at all, others have to be put in the fridge so the temperature stays steady while they sleep. I would suggest seeing what types are available to you then researching their specific requirements.

 

[Redders]

Look up caresheets on lafaber website for info on care of different species - trusted and correct source of info

 

[meleeka]

We had one when I lived at home. He was a wonderful pet. The dogs were terrified of him and he used to mate with the garden broom ?. He used to hibernate by digging a hole somewhere in the garden. My parents decided that he ought to be better looked after so made him a house to hibernate in. tragically his legs were nibbled by rats and became infected so he was pts. I’d have another if I could.

 

[Prancerpoos]

I had one and she had a great personality, I had her for about 10 years, but sadly she died after complications from being egg bound. She was found wandering about in the middle of nowhere and was given to me to look after as I had had them as a child back in the 60s.

Having said that..Sorry to be a downer here, but I would not buy one now as they are hard to keep alive as they are not evolved to live in the UK, it’s an uphill struggle against the climate and something like 99% of the ‘pet‘ ones imported before they were banned in the early 80s died in their first year.

 

[fiwen30]

You may find that the ‘full set up’ that this tortoise comes with, is actually desperately unsuitable. Definitely do a very deep Google dive!

 

[vhf]

We have leopard torts, and that species does not hibernate, so do your homework.
The set-up it's in now will be a guide to how well it started life, and therefore how robust it's likely to be going forward.
We got ours as rescues and I fully expected boring blocks on legs. They were a pleasant surprise in every way apart from the keep costs, which while expected, are not pleasant.

 

[poiuytrewq]

You may find that the ‘full set up’ that this tortoise comes with, is actually desperately unsuitable. Definitely do a very deep Google dive!

This, so many are. People seem to have no idea at all and a lot of pet shop type advise is so scarily wrong. They don’t have to hibernate. I’ve not hibernated mine as if you do it properly it sounded a bit complicated! I do need to this year, mine has a larger growth ring than is ideal and I don’t over feed. I’m told hibernating is a way of naturally slowing growth down. Makes perfect sense of course.
I try and learn as much as I can and do things correctly, so I only feed weeds and flowers etc.
They are pretty interesting pets to own.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Nb, mines a horsfield which seems to be considered a beginner tortoise.
What breed are you considering?

 

[scats]

I was looking at getting a horsefield. The hibernation thing put me off, in case I did something wrong.

 

[timefort]

My current tort is a horsefield (I've had various types over the years). He's 13 years old at this point, lives out over summer and inside in winter. He is a little sod with far more personality than you'd expect and amazing levels of determination. Last year was the first time he's hibernated, I've been nervous of hibernating him but despite not changing his indoor setup he decided he was hibernating which from everything I know is not ideal but clearly he hasn't read the books.

I'd absolutely recommend them as pets for the UK, with a bit of research they're excellent and entertaining pets. The one important thing you need to know about horsefields is that not only can they dig, but they love to climb, 1m plus is not a deterrent (see previous note about determination!).

 

[scats]

Reviving this thread because I’m hopefully collecting a 3-year old horsefield at the weekend. Comes with setup, though obviously I will assess this and change if needed once she is home.

 

[Bradsmum]

Can't wait for the photos! Never had one but often thought about it but he/she would definitely outlive me now so probably not a good idea.

 

[scats]

Can't wait for the photos! Never had one but often thought about it but he/she would definitely outlive me now so probably not a good idea.

I will get lots of pictures once she is home. I’ve put a deposit down on her and collecting her on Sunday morning. She comes with indoor and outdoor set up, though the indoor one looks small. I have an area indoors that is 6ft by 4 foot that my dad is going to construct a purpose-built tortoise set up for her (like to give him a project!).

 

[Bradsmum]

Dads always love a project. All the best for Sunday.

 

[ElvisandTilly]

I’ve had my horsfield tortoise since April and the info on care is a minefield! I’m on quite a few Facebook groups and the differing advice for care is mind boggling!

I changed my lighting and heating to separates and have uv b and uva with heat for the day and a heat projector for the nights when weather drops Cold enough to have on.

I swapped the bedding I was supplied with to Westland top soil too. As mine is only small he comes in at night and out in the day when I am around as I am frightened of rats getting to him! Currently in the middle of doing our garden up so a space is being prepared for a permanent spot for him outdoors with heat and light. Granddad Rob designs on Facebook makes some amazing tortoise housing/tables!

Always wanted a tortoise since being a kid and husband said let’s get one so off I went researching! The little one I have is about 12 months old so still young. He/she has a right personality already! Where ever you purchase I recommend doing a worm count and a check up at the vets/worm treatment and regularly weigh to make sure all ok. Young tortoises need to have a warm bath each day too so factor that into your time each day for care. I purchased microclimate Evo 3 so it turns my lights/heat on each day for me and off again at night so no need to worry on him over heating or cold. I also have an indoor camera on him so I can watch him form where ever I am! Lol! . The day he came running to me when I went to his table was the day I felt my heart was going to explode! Love the little dude….called him Speedy!

 

[scats]

I’ve had my horsfield tortoise since April and the info on care is a minefield! I’m on quite a few Facebook groups and the differing advice for care is mind boggling!

I changed my lighting and heating to separates and have uv b and uva with heat for the day and a heat projector for the nights when weather drops Cold enough to have on.

I swapped the bedding I was supplied with to Westland top soil too. As mine is only small he comes in at night and out in the day when I am around as I am frightened of rats getting to him! Currently in the middle of doing our garden up so a space is being prepared for a permanent spot for him outdoors with heat and light. Granddad Rob designs on Facebook makes some amazing tortoise housing/tables!

Always wanted a tortoise since being a kid and husband said let’s get one so off I went researching! The little one I have is about 12 months old so still young. He/she has a right personality already! Where ever you purchase I recommend doing a worm count and a check up at the vets/worm treatment and regularly weigh to make sure all ok. Young tortoises need to have a warm bath each day too so factor that into your time each day for care. I purchased microclimate Evo 3 so it turns my lights/heat on each day for me and off again at night so no need to worry on him over heating or cold. I also have an indoor camera on him so I can watch him form where ever I am! Lol! . The day he came running to me when I went to his table was the day I felt my heart was going to explode! Love the little dude….called him Speedy!

I might pick your brains if that’s ok! So excited for her arrival!

 

[luckyoldme]

Interesting thread!
I'm too old to get one now, but I had no idea they could
A) climb
B) that they were so difficult to keep.
C) that they had such personalities.

 

[ElvisandTilly]

I might pick your brains if that’s ok! So excited for her arrival!

Scats of course ask away anytime! I am excited for you! ?

 

[luckyoldme]

No I'm sorry I can't get my head round it.
Tortoise climb?

 

[meleeka]

No I'm sorry I can't get my head round it.
Tortoise climb?

You haven’t seen real determination until you’ve seen a tortoise trying to escape from where they’ve been confined ?

 

[Karran]

No I'm sorry I can't get my head round it.
Tortoise climb?

One naughty baby tortoise, having climbed to the top of his aloe plant in an attempt to get out the top of his pen.

 

[luckyoldme]

View attachment 98308




One naughty baby tortoise, having climbed to the top of his aloe plant in an attempt to get out the top of his pen.

He climbed an aloe Vera plant ?
That's mental!

 

[Bearsmum]

I inherited Dougle 30+ years ago when we bought our bungalow from my MIL, she left him behind & I've muddled through ever since; though hubby knew a bit about his care so that helped. He was already about 70, so our best guess is that he's around 100, we hibernate him once the weather turns cold; just in a crate in the shed with shredded newspaper & during the summer he just wanders round the garden munching on weeds, I gather dandelion & milk thistle when I walk the dog and he has the odd treat like peas or sweetcorn, but I don't think they are very good for them so it's just an occasional treat. This summer has been exceptionally dry so I do put him in a large shallow tray of water once every few days, good luck if you do get one, they seem to be more common than you might think -a chap who lives just opposite heard a commotion one night & turned his garden lights on in time to see a badger trying to break into his tortoise run, we didn't know he had one, but I guess you don't take them walkies so they go unnoticed

 

[Karran]

I dont give mine peas or sweetcorn. Too much protein and makes him grow all wonky, but have heard others give as occasional treats. Mine is now 14 and just forages free range in the garden all summer and comes in mid September to go in a box under the stairs!

 

[cremedemonthe]

I have one he's about 60 years old now, seen my mum and Dad out and probably me too!