age to have tort?

[lucygups]

Hi this is a question on behalf of a friend. She wants a hermanns and has found a breeder that says she can have one that's 8weeks old, is this a bit young? And are there any special considerations for such a young tort?

Thanx

[annsimpson1]

as long as its healthy and eating ok and she has the set up for a baby then I don't think theres a minimum age for the breeder to sell them, some breeders like to keep them through their first winter but thats just a preference certainly in the wild they are independant as soon as they hatch. Make sure it has its certificate as the papers have to come back to the breeder from Defra tell your freind not to get it unless it has it.

[lucygups]

Yeah they've said she cant have for a couple of weeks until the paperwork comes through, its uk bred obviously so i think that makes the paperwork quicker (?) Is the set up for a baby the same as for an adult - or do you need extra heat/uv?

[annsimpson1]

the same basking temps but I wouldn't let the cool end drop below 70f and probably at night to with one that young, and more frequent baths as they can dehydrate very quickly, mine were a lot older than that when they came to me so if my eggs hatch I will also be a "midwife" I must admit although I'm looking forward to it at the same time I'm very nervous.