turbo is 3 nearly 4 yrs old and about 3-4 inches he's lived in a viv his whole life so far but after reading some things on here apparently he shouldn't please shed some light on this for me

he eats well- cabbage-spinich-rocket-kale-watercress

and tomato (de-seeded) as a treat

i really just wondered how big will he get when adult

He'll grow about 17-21cm SCL.

Yes vivs are bad...

1. tortoises dont understand the concept of glass, so will try to get through it causing stress.

2. vivs are bad at providing a temp gradient which is needed for thermoregulation.

3. they keep humidity which could lead to Runny nose sydrome.

as for diet...

Hermans tortoises eat an 100% weed diet. It can be hrd to find weeds so shelled warriors sell the seeds so you can grow your own!!

fuit and veg should not be given often. I dont feed any at all.

check the weed list at the top of the shelled section.

Jason =)

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Not to mention at this time of year a Hermann should be hibernating

How do you know hes not?

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WHAT i was told not to hibernate my tort ever as it shortens there life GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR stoopid shop

any more advice would be great please

Not to hibernate....shortens their life....thats the biggest load of **** I've heard all year.

Its not your fault though mate, but make sure you hibernate him next winter

you have a year too read up.

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hibernation in my opinion is key to a happy,healthy long lived tort. I was told by an acquaintance who worked in a pet shop in Oldham (my old home town) that they were advised to tell people the torts didnt need to hibernate..as some people got put off by the idea of having a tortoise asleep for a few months. That was true for the shop she worked in. Not saying it is for all, but it's a possibility I suppose?

to add the reasons why cabbage,brocolli,spinach etc are unsuitable.. they have a VERY high oxhalic acid content. Oxhalic acid inhibits the absorption of calcium..basically binds it all up so the tort cannot use it (as far as i understand it.)

Avoid all fruits as the sugars can seriously upset the torts gut flora

A little cucumber in summer is okay as a hydrating treat but has little to no nutritional value, the same with the majority of lettuce'


Make sure you're supplimenting food with limestone flour daily. And a light sprinkling of nutrobal at least four times a week. for growing torts daily really.

for weed seeds,limestone flour and even nutrobal visit Sarah's shop on ebay
eBay UK Shop - Shelled Warriors: tortoise, tortoises, limestone flour

theres also this shop
eBay UK Shop - TORTS-N-ALLSORTS: SEED MIXES, RABBIT,GUINEA PIG,CHINCHILLA, CHICORY

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thanks for the help guys and gals

if i used a tort table how would i make sure he is warm enough cos the room would be pretty cool anyway i was thinking i could modify the viv so that it has a sort of half open roof

what should the coldest spot be in his home and also the hottest

ie no colder than.....

you want a hot end and a cool end so he can choose where he wants to be.

the hot end should be 30-32*C and the cool end at room temperture.

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so a cool end of around 15-20*c