Hi, im a newbie too this forum, so you probley had the same questions again and again, so im sorry!

but i just wanted a bit of jagon free advise if thats ok with you guys.

ive had "mike" since april and i bought him with a "viv", ive just learnt that these are bad for him, and getting a table built up for him as we speek, but so far hes seemed happy, please let me know what im doing wrong, as i just want the best for him:

i turn on his uv/heat light every morning b4 work, and also give him fresh water, and fresh food, mainly watercress, cucumber, tomateos and mixed mellon fruits plus his vitiman balls.
i was also give him the same at dinner, but was told that was bad too feed him so much so ive stopped. and recently gave him a "fish bone" (the thing you give budgies!!!)

also last question, when i get the table built, what plants would be safe to plant in with him, and what ground do you guys use for your pets? mines currently wood chippings, but ive seen alot of soil/grass things.

once again im sorry for the bulk load of questions, but i jsut want the best for mike, and i hope you guys can understand that!
thank you - dimshady!

Hi DimShady. Welcome to the forum.

Hermans tortoises need to be fed on an 100% weed diet. so no fruit and veg. you can buy weed seeds and grow your own!
and for he substrate (ground) I use a top soil/play sand mix at a ratio of 60/40.

You can puy AloeVera In there.
Or any other plant as long as the tortoise can't reach it!

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I', sure you will have loads more replies so I will attempt to reply in short to each section


**i turn on his uv/heat light every morning b4 work, and also give him fresh water, and fresh food,

OK so far

mainly watercress, cucumber, tomateos and mixed mellon fruits plus his vitiman balls.

Every single item here is bad for him unless the watercress is the bunch stuff as oppposed to the punnet stuff, and only then in moderation.

**i was also give him the same at dinner, but was told that was bad too feed him so much so ive stopped. and recently gave him a "fish bone" (the thing you give budgies!!!)

No - no second feed of the day and please throw the pellets in the bin as this is what will happen if you continue Tortoise Trust Web - Feeding your tortoise

**also last question, when i get the table built, what plants would be safe to plant in with him, and what ground do you guys use for your pets? mines currently wood chippings, but ive seen alot of soil/grass things.

Soil and sand mixed is about what they woudl have in the wild and what is best aimed for

**once again im sorry for the bulk load of questions, but i jsut want the best for mike, and i hope you guys can understand that!
thank you - dimshady![/quote]

That is actually very few questions so meanwhile please go and have a look here Tortoises where you will find everything else you need to know about keeping the little one well and content. Weigh him weekly to keep a check on his progress, I suspect weekly at the rate he is goin will show just how much he is being overfed. You need to aim for around 2-4 grams per MONTH. Any more and he will soon start to pyramid.
Good luck

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Take care
Sue

wizzasmum@aol.com

thanks so far you guys, i sorta had a panic now i realised ive done him wrong!

il just give him the watercress till 2moro when i get too tesco.

i owe you guys one!