I'm curious as to how you came up with these formulas?

I know... I know...

Picture mr. and mrs. tortoise in the wild... Henriettta... you seem to be putting on the pounds... Ok, Henry... what do you suggest... Well, Henrietta... if you still want to get some you are going to have to ration your feeding... Well, Henry... if you too want to continue to get some you are going to have to do the same... You know... it is said we are only supposed to gain 2-4grams a month... What idiot came up with that... I don't know but it obvously wasn't a tortoise...

Yes Ed

What idiot came up with pellets..I don't know but it obviously wasn't a tortoise.

__________________

Do Hermanns NEED to hibernate?
I would be so worried about doing it, is it beneficial to their health?


Also, what are the pellet foods for? Is it a good idea to keep some as an emergency incase anything happens to the growing weeds?
I know you need a water dish, do they sit in it or is it just for drinking?

Thanks.

__________________

Hibernation is not a necessity... it's an adaptation to unfavorable conditions.

Formulated diets are just that... formulated to meet all your tortoises nutritional needs. There are some keepers who feel that because it is formulated/man made... it is unnatural and therefore bad... totally not the case.

Water dish... just for drinking.

So, could you offer both then? Fresh weeds, and some pellets?

Dont think Ill hibernate one then.

So what is the absolute minimum required for a hermanns tortoise?
Although if it takes 10 years to get to full size, I will have room for a big enough table as I wont be in a 1 bedroomed flat then!

__________________

My first response... this person's a herper.

Minimum requirements and all that... I'm there.

Actually on the pelleted diet... I suggest mixing it as you noted. That covers my hind quarters. Over time you can feed it exclusively but you have to know it's characteristics... feed it with weeds.

On the size of the enclosure... how big is the tortoise?

From what Ive been reading, they get to around 6-8"

__________________

Ok, so this is what I know so far -

• 10.0 UV
• Basking spot of around 88f
• 50/50 mix of sand and top soil or hemp - deep enough to cover tort
• Calcium supplements everyday, nutrabol 3 times a week. (How often for a baby..?)
• Fresh water at all times
• Fresh weeds - which I will most likely grow myself
• Pelleted food - Im thinking about offering this aswell as weeds?

For a baby, Im going to use either an indoor rabbit hutch or a storage container.
How long will it be 'til a Hermanns outgrows a rabbit hutch?
Im not going to put it into hibernation.

Umm, think I have covered everything - is there anything Im missing?
Thanks.

__________________

All the other stuff is acceptable... stay with the viv.

What the 8x2 one with ventilation?

__________________