new testudo hermanni hermanni (dwarf hermann tortoise)
 

hi, i'm ellie and im new to the forum.
It's christmas today and i got my first ever tortoise.
His name is Jasper, he is 6 months and lives in a vivarium.
is this bad?? many have said this is not good but he seems to be settling in.
1 thing i have noticed is that everytime i go to pick him up, he urinates or excretes all over me , am i scaring him or is it natural, i may thnk it is the fact that he has gone from such warmth straight to my cold hand, please help i am new !!!!

hi ellie

welcome to sw :D:D:D

by vivarium do you mean the glass box type

most people here recomend open topped tables for torts

here is a good read on vivs and table tops

http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...read.php?t=186

torts can become scared when picked up thus they urinate or pass faeces
i personally dont pick mine up
except to place them outdoors
to place in bath
to examine closey and to weigh
torts are not really a petting type of pet

thanks linda i think its best to leave him wondering around for now
here is a pic of him




[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/2337yp.jpg[/IMG]

hello and welcome

your tortoise is cute

I got my first tortoise in September and i loved him so much i now have 3

I pat my tortoises and they seem to love it. They always move nearer my hand for more attention.

Hi Ellie, in time your tortoise will become a bit more used to you and won't be scared. Everything just changed for him when he went to live with you so he needs time to settle down. He might not be used to people at all. I like to watch mine but mostly I don't pick them up unless necessary.

Most of us on this forum don't think that a vivarium is the best way to keep tortoises, but at the moment this is what you have for Jasper. He looks like a lovely tortoise.

Be careful if you are letting him explore the house, its very easy for little ones to disappear under furniture or round the back of the christmas tree!

Hi from me! When I got my tortoise,he did wee first few days each time I held him in my hand.When I'm picking him up now,he's very calm,just looking at me and waiting what's coming next...:grin:

thankyou for all your kind tips, i understand he is still a hatchling and it will take him time x