I'm going to pick up my tortoise next month and am very excited! I brought the enclosure yesterday and am just putting the finishing touches to all the things I'm going to need.
But I still have a few questions. I've got the heat lamp and tube bulb fitting but freaked out in the shop about what wattage and strength UV bulb I'd need?I'm getting a Hermans hatchling and have brought a 20w bulb fittting. What bulb should I get?

Also the breeder has recommened I over winter my tortoise this year rather then hibernate. I've had a look around but am still confused by what this means? Can anyone explain it simply to me?
If I were to hibernate him I'm intrested in using the fridge method, as he will be so small can I use a mini fridge for this?

Also I understand I will need to worm my tortoise twice a year, how do I go about doing this? Do I have to take him to a vet or give him something at home?

Thanks for your help in advance and if you've got any other tips for a first time tortoise owner they'd be much appreciated.

you only need to worm your tort if he has parasites. a poo sample handed in at the vets will be enough for them to tell you what he needs (if anything). dont be temted to self medicate without a fecal check though, as you may think you have treated any parasites, but he may have more than one type. you can get a poo check done once or twice a year, but if you are going to hibernate him you will need to get it done fbefore that happens.

all "overwintering" means is that you make him think its summer all winter. so you put his basking lights on every morning at 8 am and turn them off every night at 8pm. just tricks him into NOT wanting to sleep all winter!

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