Horsfield tortoise setup

[yourcipher]

I hope to be buying a Horsfield tortoise soon and am setting up an indoor table for it. I have done all the research and have a table ready and am looking for the best equipment for my tortoise, could anyone recommend me some specific U.V lights and heat lamps that I could use? Iv been looking around but am unsure of which ones to go for. Thanks.

[urban tortoise]

Take a look at kimbosreptiles, darren who runs it is really helpful and he can advise on the best lighting set up.
Its great you are doing all the research before you get the tort.
Kimbos Reptile World | Supplies | Equipment | Housing | Lighting |

Janey

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by yourcipher

I hope to be buying a Horsfield tortoise soon and am setting up an indoor table for it. I have done all the research and have a table ready and am looking for the best equipment for my tortoise, could anyone recommend me some specific U.V lights and heat lamps that I could use? Iv been looking around but am unsure of which ones to go for. Thanks.

Has your research come up with the added depth needed for this species and the fact they do best outdoors?
There is a sticky at the top of the page re horsfield habitats. Hope this helps. As others have said try Kimbos for lighting and keep the heat to one end of the enclosure only so that the tortoise can choose where to make his hide area.

[yourcipher]

Originally Posted by wizzasmum

Has your research come up with the added depth needed for this species and the fact they do best outdoors?
There is a sticky at the top of the page re horsfield habitats. Hope this helps. As others have said try Kimbos for lighting and keep the heat to one end of the enclosure only so that the tortoise can choose where to make his hide area.

Unfortunately my garden isnt well suited for them, its a very steep slope, but I do intend flatten a small area to set up an outdoor run so that I can let them out on sunny days.

Iv emailed Darren, so hopefully will get a reply soon, thanks for both your help!

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by yourcipher

Unfortunately my garden isnt well suited for them, its a very steep slope, but I do intend flatten a small area to set up an outdoor run so that I can let them out on sunny days.

Iv emailed Darren, so hopefully will get a reply soon, thanks for both your help!

You would most likely find that a steep slope woud be used to good effect by a horsfield tortoise. My little ones prefer to dig holes in stony slopes to a flat area. As my garden is mainly flat I have spent a lot of time creating hills and rocky slopes for them as this is what they would find in the wild.
Runs are not really a good idea in my opinion unless permanent and set up with heated hides for poor weather and overnight use.

[yourcipher]

Originally Posted by wizzasmum

You would most likely find that a steep slope woud be used to good effect by a horsfield tortoise. My little ones prefer to dig holes in stony slopes to a flat area. As my garden is mainly flat I have spent a lot of time creating hills and rocky slopes for them as this is what they would find in the wild.
Runs are not really a good idea in my opinion unless permanent and set up with heated hides for poor weather and overnight use.

I'll look into setting up a permanent outdoor run, iv read that its best to keep them indoors until they are a few years old though and the one I'm buying is only 18 months. Would it be suitable to be kept outside?

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by yourcipher

I'll look into setting up a permanent outdoor run, iv read that its best to keep them indoors until they are a few years old though and the one I'm buying is only 18 months. Would it be suitable to be kept outside?

All of my hatchlings go out from day one. It's what they do in the wild. If you are thinking of buying from a pet shop then I assume you may be taking pet shop advice which is often not very good. A certain specialist reptile shop not far from here, gives appalling advice re keeping tortoises. It's always a good idea to talk to some breeders, read care info based on their natural habitat and generally think of what would happen in the wild. Many setups are a far cry from this unfortunately.
Have a look here, it might just give a different outlook Welcome to Tortsmad ~ UK Tortoise keeping explained.

[yourcipher]

Thanks for all your help
I now have all the equipment ready, including a nice outdoor enclosure, for when I go to collect my tortoise next weekend, I hope to call him Toby
thanks again for all your help.