this is a coverstation I found on yahoo answers...Very interesting.

'Tort Table Vs Viv'

Lek says:
Both are equally suitable. The table versions (in the UK) are fairly new and seem to be gaining in popularity - however, I still prefer the vivarium and the reason for that is purely for the health of the Tortoise.(that bit made me laugh)

Imagine flies landing on your tortoise's food, laying eggs/maggots...or some harmful bacteria. It would be an extremely rare occurrence in a vivarium where it is enclosed and the environment can be more controlled

It really is your preference

Angi says:
i keep totoises virariams are bad news for torts as they get too humid a table is best a good forum too join is shelled warriors all the advice is there (was happy to see a good reply)

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AH thats nice, glad to see that found Shelled Warriors and got the correct advice.

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I dont see what the big hoo har is all about with torts in vivs we have kept our tort in a viv and its very healthy and happy, its only 4 years old at the moment but when its bigger it'll go into a tort table and im sure it'll still be happy and healthy.

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I'm the first mammal to wear pants, yeah.....I'll do what I want but irresponsibly!!!

it may be heatlhy and happy from what you see, but how do you know how stressed your tort is?

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Cheers,
Shaun

My Pets0.0.2 Hermanns Torts (Lucy/Loosey-Goosey and Millie/Millie Poo-Pops)

What I Want - Eventually!0.0.1 Bearded Dragon 0.0.1 Redfoot 0.0.1 Chihuahua

What a daft statement.

How do you ever really know that, whether it is on a table or in a viv?

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Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead.
Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow.
Do not walk beside me either, just f*** off and leave me alone.

I am wondering how a creature that is considered 'happy and healthy' in one set-up can be considered to be the same in a competely different one regarding the huge difference in humidity, heating gradient etc
I wold advise you to enrol on the tortoise trust course which will help you to understand the reasons for this a little better than can be explained on an internet list.
Is your tortoise not constantly walking into the glass and pacing the edges of the viv. Four years kept this way seems a little unkind if you don't mind me saying so, when you think what their natural habitat would be

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Take care
Sue

wizzasmum@aol.com

you cant talk about natural habitat when your keeping them in captivity as close to maybe which would be outdoors and not on a table..and i dont think anyone really know's what a tortoise feels

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true but we can tell how their body's function when kept in different environments.

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so you could tell if the inside of a tort was working all good? and i dont think many people take the tort to a "tort" vet every week *edit* im not being stuck up im just trying to start an argument.. i mean trying to start the thread off it would be nice to see some more views not just angry tort keepers ranting

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tortoise tables are much much better for tortoises when you consider their needs. vivs subject tortoises to constently high temperatures and humidity - which can lead to all manner of health problems as this is not a healthy environment for tortoises. also you can definatly see a huge differece in a tortoise when it has been taken out of a viv and put in a tortoise table.

tortoises that are kept in vivs may exist - but they will not THRIVE.