Tortoise care, Hibernation?

VdubS · #1 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 10:10 PM

Hi,

Ive been on the forum quite a while now (own snakes) and this is the first time ive been over to this side of the forums- my girlfriend and i have been looking into getting her a tort (first reptile too!)

I was just wondering if you could give us some help!?

Firstly we're not sure which would be best a hermans or a horsefield? are there any real differences or which is easiest to look after etc??

Also we keep reading that you have to hibernate the torts? is this 100% neccessary even though they are kept in a viv with steady temps.. unlike the outside temps...?

Also is there anything else that we need to know ?

obviously we've got to set up and build the tortoise table which i think we are doing at the weekend...

does this sound about right..-

-heat lamp and uv tube at one end of table
-hide either end of table
-food and water dishes at the cool end
-basking temp of about 30oc ?
-WIll aspen be ok to use in the table, i use it with my snakes and i just thought it would be good for them to like nestle in?

Thanks for any help you give us!

wizzasmum · #2 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VdubS

Hi,

Ive been on the forum quite a while now (own snakes) and this is the first time ive been over to this side of the forums- my girlfriend and i have been looking into getting her a tort (first reptile too!)

I was just wondering if you could give us some help!?

Firstly we're not sure which would be best a hermans or a horsefield? are there any real differences or which is easiest to look after etc??

Also we keep reading that you have to hibernate the torts? is this 100% neccessary even though they are kept in a viv with steady temps.. unlike the outside temps...?

Also is there anything else that we need to know ?

obviously we've got to set up and build the tortoise table which i think we are doing at the weekend...

does this sound about right..-

-heat lamp and uv tube at one end of table
-hide either end of table
-food and water dishes at the cool end
-basking temp of about 30oc ?
-WIll aspen be ok to use in the table, i use it with my snakes and i just thought it would be good for them to like nestle in?

Thanks for any help you give us!

Feeding wise there are little differences between the two species. Behaviour wise, vast didderences.Horsfields can unrrel up to nine or ten feet so obviously a viv is out of the question. Either species should not live in a cic but a russian will be far more stressed and upset not to be able to burrow.
Hibernation is part of the natural life cycle and considering they have been doing it for millions of years who are we to say we know better. As horsfields only eat for three months of the year in the wild, feeding them for 12 months of the year is going to make for a tortoise that looks nothing like it's wild counterparts and with associated health problems.
Steady temps kill tortoises - they need to be able to cool down as in the wild.
Hide needs to be at the cool end of the table (not viv - is this a wind up, sorry but you said you wuold keep it in a viv then mentioned tables?)
Hope this helps

VdubS · #3 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizzasmum

Feeding wise there are little differences between the two species. Behaviour wise, vast didderences.Horsfields can unrrel up to nine or ten feet so obviously a viv is out of the question. Either species should not live in a cic but a russian will be far more stressed and upset not to be able to burrow.
Hibernation is part of the natural life cycle and considering they have been doing it for millions of years who are we to say we know better. As horsfields only eat for three months of the year in the wild, feeding them for 12 months of the year is going to make for a tortoise that looks nothing like it's wild counterparts and with associated health problems.
Steady temps kill tortoises - they need to be able to cool down as in the wild.
Hide needs to be at the cool end of the table (not viv - is this a wind up, sorry but you said you wuold keep it in a viv then mentioned tables?)
Hope this helps

Sorry snakes on the brain..i meant table i said viv at first because im so used to saying viv on the snake forums!

i did later say table though!

So a hermans would be better because they dont tent to burrow so much..?

and you need to let them hibernate? when i said steady temps i obviously meant a hot and cool end not juse a constant 30oC all round ..

Sorry if i was a little unclear you get what i mean now?

Thanks,

VdubS · #4 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizzasmum

(not viv - is this a wind up, sorry but you said you wuold keep it in a viv then mentioned tables?)
Hope this helps

This is NOT a wind up either! I have no reason to come here and waste my time winding you up?

I just came here for advice,

VdubS · #5 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 11:13 PM

bump

Anyone??

any advice will be appreciated!

blondesarah · #6 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 11:15 PM

Sue was not being funny, we say it time and time again no vivs, i knwo it was a typing error but Sue did not know that.

Sue has said it all really. No really difference expect horsfields can dig and are stong! Lovely tortoises though.

VdubS · #7 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blondesarah

Sue was not being funny, we say it time and time again no vivs, i knwo it was a typing error but Sue did not know that.

Sue has said it all really. No really difference expect horsfields can dig and are stong! Lovely tortoises though.

Ok then, was just a little annoying saying i was a wind up lol nevermind doesnt matter know.

Sue said not to have a hide on the warm end.. why is that? to stop them trying to burrow? do the above things sound right though what i wrote ?

We just want to make sure we get it all correct before going out and building/setting up the table and it turns out weve done it all wrong and have wasted a day/time and money

Thanks,

blondesarah · #8 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 11:24 PM

Well this is where they would bask and they might over heat. Tortoises always hide in teh cooler areas.

For substrate i would use top soil mix with childrens play sand or hemp.

Where are you getting a tortoise from?

VdubS · #9 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blondesarah

Well this is where they would bask and they might over heat. Tortoises always hide in teh cooler areas.

For substrate i would use top soil mix with childrens play sand or hemp.

Where are you getting a tortoise from?

Oh i see so its best to have the hides in the middle and the cool end!

We are getting a tortoise from a lady we know who owns a reptile rescue centre and owns tortoises as her own pets and really likes them and she said she will be able to either put us in contact with a local breeder or she will be able to get us one which will save us paying silly top end petshop prices!

and coming from breeders they should be in better health thank petshops (well most)

blondesarah · #10 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 11:42 PM

Yes thats great you are getting from a breeder. Sue is a breeder.

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