New Horsefield Owner!!

[Becky Eller]

Hi guys,

I'm completely new to this forum after inheriting two horsefield tortoises...

I believe I have one male and one female, and that they are 4 years old.

They're housed in a vivarium which I know is not a great home I don't have a great deal of space but plan to extend their 'play area' by setting up an outdoor enclosure.

Can anyone tell me what month horsefields can safely spend the day outside (I appreciate all of the burrowing/digging prospects!) and whether it is necessary to use a heat lamp during the day when they are outside?

Any helpful advice would be greatfully appreciated...I have only been a proud owner for two weeks and am determined to improve my torts standard of living.

Nice to meet you all

Becky

[Zoo-Man]

Hi & welcome to the Shelled section!

I put my Horsfields & Hermanns outside in the enclosures when the weather is more dependable & predictable. I don't do it by month, but by the weather.

I do not use any heat when my tortoises are outside. They stay out 24 hours a day when the weather is at its best.

[Mrs Mental]

and hello Becky and torts


I do the same as Zoo-Man to be honest - once the temps start improving mine will be outside - I use a rabbit hutch for overnight sleeping. Also chicken wire/something similiar laid across the bottom & sides of the enclosures to keep 'em in!

Good luck

[Becky Eller]

Thanks guys Its a relief that I wont have to get involved with outdoor electrics!

My outdoor tortoise home is going to be raised off the floor as I have a dogs (only little poodles but I dont want to take any chances!!)

I keep looking at my poor little things in the vivarium and I cant wait to give them a bit more freedom...its a shame to think they've been kept in there for years

[Joe4]

Your doing the right thing getting them outside as you will see a whole new side to them!

My rule of thumb is if its warm enough for you the go out in a tshirt then its warm enough for them to be outside (obviously make sure there is some shade in there so they can get out the direct sunlight).

[Mrs Mental]

I use netting across my enclosures to keep anyone/thing out. (dogs, birds whatever) Here's a pic of mine from last year:






Also meant to say to you earlier you need to be prepared to split them up later on if the male becomes a nuisance to the female (breeding/activity wise!) as sometimes the boys dont leave the girls alone and the girls can end up with health/shell problems. Or infact if they are two boys, Horsfield males can be quite aggressive so again you may need to split them up. So wherever you have your enclosure/penn make sure it'd be big enough and in the right spot to split it in half if need be later on.

We're extending one of ours (the one on the right of the pic) this year and splitting it in half as we have a holidaying tortoise coming to stay for another member on here - later on when holidaying Harry has gone back to his Mums it'd leave me with an empty enclosure should I need it but if I dont then my two TGG's will have a very big enclosure

[Becky Eller]

Thanks Mrs Mental, those images have really helped...that's exactly the kind of setup I think Emma & Wilson will do well in

I was told about the sex of my two, but it seems that the larger female is showing a lot of interest in my small male. They are aparently only 4 years old, but there seems to be some 'playing' going on!! I have an appointment for a check up with a specialist reptile vet next week so hopefully that will shed more light

Thanks again

[Becky Eller]

[Mrs Mental]

my smallest one who I think may well be female is always practising rumpy pumpy on the larger one who's defiantely male!!!


If you post pics of their undersides we may be able to tell for you (athough my pc is being daft at the moment and I cant see pics grrrr)