**I have checked his certificate and the country of origin is Turkey.
Woops sorry I was thinking it was hermanni.
**It says on the form that it was captive born?
No it will be wild caught - spurs are becoming more popular and Turkey is the countruy where they are caught
**Should I still take him to the Vet to get wormed?
Yes and if he tests positive please get back to us and let us kmow where you bought him as this needs to be stopped. Turkey does not import captive bred torts.
**t was hatched in 2004, so only a baby really.
What does it weigh (grams)and what length is it from one end to the other in a straight line measured in centimeters.
**I will throw the pellets in the bin when I get back.
That will be doing him a hige favour.
**What should I use as substrate? any suggestions?
I would use a 50/50 mix of sand and soil fo him to make him feel at home. This is close to his natural substrate. Purchase fertiliser free from a garden centre
**I will transfer her to an open topped enclosure - but where do I put the UV lamp?
As near to the tort as possible without touching it
** does the basking lamp need to be directly overhead?
At a height to reach temps of 30 degrees directly underneath and at one end, not in the middle
** Sorry for so many questions
No problem that is what we are here for
**How do they keep warm at night if theres no source of heat?
Same as they do in the wild - they don't other than to bury into the substrate to thermoregulate naturally. It gets flipping cold at night in Turkey at times - I know I have been tort watching there

It is actually beneficial for them to cool down at night, If they stay hot they die
**Is this safe?
Is what safe?
also, my tortoise loves cucumber and spring greens - surely it is ok to feed her these with dandelions.
Cucumber is no more than water. It will not hurt but it will not feed her either. Spring greens are a member of the cabbage family. Cabbage, cauliflower and sprouts will inhibit the uptake opf calcium meaning that even if you cover the food in calcium it will not be absorbed and weaken the bones

You need to give nutrobal daily for calcium and minerals.
..And where do you buy dandelions in the middle of winter?
You don't you look a fool looking on grass verges - don't forget to wash them.
Good luck