i have a 2 year old hermanns tortoise and i have had her since she was 8 months old. she is from a very good breeder, i have papers with her. when i bought i her i did do my research but there are so many different opinions from people and so much stuff on the internet that i am confused and worried about my little tortoise. i have a few questions i kind of know the answers to but i just want some more advice.
1. How do you sex a tortoise? On the net it says you cant until they are 5-7 years of age but someone who works with my mum said its a boy: S she has been tallulah since i got her.
2. What other foods can i feed her? She loves vegatables but only if you cook them ... brocoli is her favourite at the moment ... i feed her melon strawberries grapes apples (although this stuff is just a treat for her i dont feed it to her on a daily basis) she like lettuce runner beans tomatoes and dandelion leaves .. am i giving her the right diet, she also has tortoise pellets from my local pet shop which you have to pour warm water on for them to soften but she just likes laying on those ..
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3. The living arrangements is another issue for me ... some say vivariums are not suitable for a tortoise ... i have an indoor rabbit cage for her. Its 2 and a bit foot long, its large for the size of her shes around 4/5 inches. (it is a deep plastic box with a cage on the top of it) inside it is her feeding dishes and water bowl (althogh i dont really feed her in her cage she has a seperate feeding area) a log arch filled with ripped up newspaper (which she likes to drag out around her cage: \) a heat lamp and a uv lamp and its filled with tortoise dirt which i get from the reptile shop (its specially for tortoises) what other stuff do i need to put in there. she always looks bored and like shes trying to escape (i know torts are inquisitive)
4. I live in england so the weather is never great, i would love to put her in the garden as i feel sorry for her that all she sees is her box and i know when i get her out and she sits on my bed with me of a night time, when im reading or on the laptop, that she loves walking around and getting up to all sorts of mischiefs. is it best for her to only go out when its really warm?
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i think thats all the questions i have. please dont think i am neglecting my tortoise and bought one without knowing how to care for her properly. She is registered at a reptile specialist vets and i pay privately for all her check ups and vitamins ect ( which she dont like actually!) i did alot of research before i got her and as i am a first time tortoise owner i just want more answers and advice from other tortoise lovers.
sorry its so long aswell! lol
thanks
1) Gender can not be established for certain until 5 - 8 yrs.
2) This diet is wrong. See below. Natural foods are best, only use dried pellets if you have no other option and when using them give plenty of water.
3) Do not use a vivarium, tank or any such enclosed habitat. Ideally, an outdoor enclosure is best (weather permitting) or if indoors, a tortoise table. The substraite you are buying ('tortoise dirt') is, no doubt expensive . It is also a con. Use screened & sterilised top soil from any garden centre or DIY store, cheaper and far better.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Your cage is too small and, obviously, uninteresting for your tortoise. See this example of a tortoise table:
http ://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/To ... 4) The weather in the UK is not good for your tortoise right now, but in the warmer months (April/May to Sept.) Your tortoise will benefit from an outdoor life.
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You are right in saying that there is good deal of conflicting advice on how to care for a tortoise. Stick to advice from the Tortoise Trust and Tortoise Protection Group and you will be getting the very best advice available.
Here is my usual answer to tortoise care questions: -
Mediterranean Tortoises.
Testudo Horsfieldii; Horsfield Tortoise (Russian). Most northerly ranging tortoise in the wild.
Testudo Hermannii; Hermann Tortoise. Smallest Mediterranean species.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Testudo Graeca Graeca; Mediterranean Spur Thigh Tortoise.
Testudo Marginata; Marginated Tortoise. Largest of the Mediterranean species.
They are all hibernating species and are strictly herbivorous. They should be fed on weeds, weeds and more weeds. Dandelion, hawks beard, hawk bits, hedge mustard, prickly Ox tongue, greater plantain, clover, dead nettle, chicory, chickweed, sow thistle, vetch and common mallow are among the weeds which should constitute their entire diet. A little fruit, such as a small strawberry, can be given as a treat once every week or two. DO NOT give them root vegetables, legumes, excessive salad leaves, brassicas (kale, cabbage, sprouts, broccoli etc. These are high in oxalic acid, which prevents the absorption of much needed calcium.), spinach and, on no account, ever give them animal protein such as dog/cat food. ... IT CAUSES SHELL DEFORMITY AND CAN KILL. You will also need a calcium and vitamin supplement.
