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11-03-2008, 08:29 PM
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Horsefield Tortoise question
I've had a horsefield tortoise for about 6 months now and just moved him into a bigger enclosure (i think he's about 3 years old).
I'm thinking of getting an 06/07 tortoise for the old enclosure, i've seen some Hermans in the local reptile shop but what is the difference between Herman and Horsefield tortoise (living conditions, food, size etc...)? 
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11-03-2008, 08:33 PM
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Quote:
Last edited by jms; 11-03-2008 at 08:37 PM.
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11-03-2008, 09:07 PM
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hibernation
I have been told that it isn't necessary to hibernate a horsefield tortoise is this true?
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11-03-2008, 09:16 PM
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The care for hermanns and horsfields is almost identical. apart from the fact that horsfields are a burrowing tortoise. so nice deep substrate that holds it's shape well is advised..sand/soil mix does the trick nicely.
Hermanns and horsfields both hibernate in the wild. I personally always hibernate my torts and many other keepers are the same. Horsfields in the wild are only awake for 3 months a year and in captivity are prone to over feeding and putting on weight...believe it or not you can put on weight eating just greens despite what some would have you believe. Some people use it as a means to stop excessive growth, others to replicate the wild as closely as possible. Some use it for both reasons. Some keep there torts out all year so the torts wind themselves down A few say theres no need to hibernate any tortoise, providing you keep the temps constant. And that providing heat n light will be sufficient as they won't wind down, and aren't prone to excessive growth.However when i tried to leave my little uns awake..same 12hours light and same heat as always they still started trying to wind themselves down. so they're more in tune with the time of year than I thought. All a matter of personal choice tbh
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 Last edited by Katiexx; 11-03-2008 at 09:23 PM.
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11-03-2008, 11:30 PM
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They can't be kept in the same enclosuer by the way. (but I think you know that)
Pet shop torts are normally imported so buy at your own risk
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12-03-2008, 12:26 AM
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I'm curious as to where the note came from that Russians are only active 3 months out of the year in the wild???????
Reference The Turtles of Russia... S. Kuzmin... Active for 6 months through most of its range... longer in the Southern portion of it's range... Not all Russians burrow. This behavior can be circumvented by providing a comfortable hide. Yes... you can put on weight feeding greens... you can also put on fat... but if you know your greens you can give them an endless supply without fear of them becoming overweight. I forgot my shameless plug... A nice little book on Russians and other Testudo... Amazon.co.uk: Russian Tortoises (Complete Herp Care Series): E. J. Pirog: Books Quote:
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Ed @ not allowed to post a link Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care Last edited by -EJ; 12-03-2008 at 12:37 AM.
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12-03-2008, 12:41 AM
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I was also told not to hibernate my horsefield unless I intended to breed him
 Since then then more I have read on here and other forums it seems like more people believe they should be hibernated. I think mine is about 2 and has never been hibernated. Am very apprehensive of hibernation, even after reading other people experiences it sounds hard/risky!
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12-03-2008, 12:45 AM
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That was from information i was told and later asked a few keepers and people who have done research in the field to establish whether or not it was accurate. On the whole it was, Though it was a rough estimate as the animals in question were not tagged, so admittedly yes, it could be closer to 6 in some areas and cases. TBH though even if they were active up to 6 months it still makes me air on the side of caution in regards to hibernation. But i'm someone who tries to replicate the wild as closely as possible with all my 'exotics'
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12-03-2008, 12:49 AM
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Quote:
In regards to hibernation being scary..the first time I admit i was petrified, so worried, n i still check on them probably more than I should. But providing you have healthy torts to start with and ensure that their guts are completely empty of any food waste,that they are well hydrated going into hibernation..you should have little problems. Have you read T.Ts thread in regards to the hibernation of his special little guy, if that tort can do it, most others can If I can hibernate this special tort...then...
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12-03-2008, 12:51 AM
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Hibernation is sometimes a que for breeding.
You can hibernate even if you do not intend to breed your animal but it is definately not a necessity. If you hibernate your tortoise it would be because you are not providing optimal conditions for the tortoise to survive. If you don't want to hibernate your tortoise... don't. It does not need it. Hibernation is not hard if you understand the mechanics. It can be risky... if you do not understand the mechanics. As mentioned time and again... it's your choice because you are in control of your tortoises life at this point. Quote:
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Ed @ not allowed to post a link Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care
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