Newbie!!!

[Leni]

Hello everyone!!!
I'm in the process of rehomeing a tortoise, it should be living with me by Tues hopefully
I've read the caresheets etc but was wondering if anyone could give me some personal advice on how best to care for my new arrival. As far as I'm aware he hasn't gone into hibernation and I'm a little worried about winding him down for sleep time. I currently have a blue tongue skink who's gone into brumation but it's rather different from hibernation as he still needs to have the heat lamp on for a few hours a day but as far as I get it you dont need to do this for hibernation am I right?
I'm don't even know as yet what kind of tortoise he is, if I post some pic's when he arrives will someone be able to help me with identification? (Sorry I'm more of a lizard person lol)
What food would be best to give him?
Sorry for all the questions but I need to be fully prepared to take care of the new family member so that he can live a long and healthy life with us
Thank you to all willing to help

P.S I'm sure there will be more questions when I think of them lol

[fantapants]

welcome to rfuk. to be honest we cant really advise about hibernation until you know what species it is. some dont hibernate at all! when you get him/her, if you still dont know the species then post a few pics, one or two of his shell and one of his plastron (belly) inculding the tail. somebody will be able to tell you exactly what it is and what to do for the best.

have you decided on what sort of accomodation you will provide for him? it may depend on how big he is......also what type. the more information you can provide the better we can help you out.

[Leni]

His current home is coming with him and I'm not sure on size etc
A workmate of my step-dad's aked him if he knew of anyone who could rehome a tortoise and he called me, he's coming from Scotland and I'm in North Wales so I've not been able to see him or his home yet!!
I'm just a soft touch and will rehome an animal if I've got the room for it
He should be here on Tues so will have plenty of pic's posted as soon as he arrives

[dEsTiNyZeRo]

Most torts will love dandelions and a combination of many other weeds, you can find favorites in the top of the forum and help with avoiding toxic foods, and you can give them calcium..... and vitamin d3 is also usually favored while indoor keeping. If weed is scarce you can buy pellets like the t rex ones and also you can aquire weed seeds to make sure u have plenty, but its also advisable to use the pellets scarcely also and provide as much weed as you're tort will want to eat. I find they eat in small amounts several times a day but do consume a fair bit once u add it up, when they're fully active.

and its good to encourage them to eat while they adapt to the new setting as well as hiding out somewhere comfy till she has complete trust in roaming freely if she doesnt hibernate. people often choose not to hibernate if they cant be compleetly sure they are in a healthy enough condition to survive. If you rehome her soon and she does hibernate, you might want to make sure the tort doesnt get disturbed.



theres a shed load of information that specifically helps, to identify you're tort and needs
click this link ---> World Chelonian Trust - Turtle and Tortoise Conservation and Care

u can also read the many threads here that covers the basics of keeping and their keepers.

[annsimpson1]

I'd try to find out as much as poss about how the previous owner has been keeping the tort, maybe they can write some things down for you, its better if you introduce changes gradually, if the tort hasn't been hibernated before and is still wide awake etc you might be better not hibernating this year as just the move alone might upset him/her if its already winding down you may have no choice, but at the moment the best thing is info from its past owner, age, health, food, routine, bedding, heating, lights,medical history etc the more the better I'm sure they won't mind, even if you think they're wrong its easier to carry on as before and make changes gradual.