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Old 11-09-2017, 08:20 PM   #2
CherryBrandy
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SE England
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*** you have posted same twice so I've copied from your other post duplicated** don't worry there is a delay to check spam when you first join so your posts and responses will be pre read so may even be out of sync - and after 5 posts they will start to appear live time***


welcome 5775 ! congratulations on your little Horsfield. You will groan a little no doubt as it has probably been quite costly obtaining all the equipment because the shop hasn't given you the best advice. Horsfields in particular (because they burrow) won't fair well in a vivarium set up - humidity will be too high and cause bacterial growth.
The wood chip is not best as fungal matter can grown and it can cause respiratory diseases they may never recover. in addition tortoises have been known to eat it and they implode - just add it to water and see it blow up - when that happens inside a tortoise their stomach / gut explodes. not nicest way to go.

So good news is its all retrievable.

1)Temperature needs to be between 29 - 31 (Horsfields fair better I find cooler so I opt fo rthe 29 degrees and they have faired well on less regardless - they are cute little hardy things)
2) cool end is ok at night between 16 - 22 odd during day
3) UVA AND B light - not just UVA Which is attractive sales pitch (need the vit d for their shells so both UV critical)
4)And a heat source basking lamp (the UV requirement and heat source can be combined into one bulb or separate
5) Humidity between 55% -65% - spray substrate once a day with warm mister (and tortoise if can) and leave to dry out again
6) Soil / coco soil/ soil mix / top soil mix - anything as natural as possible without additives - Horsfields burrow - sand will get into eye
7) light / heat on between 7 - 8 hours a day fine
8) he will burrow lots but keep eye that he isn't getting too cold or too hot
9) he musnt be able to see out so high sides - lots to do , crawl over, under into, out of...
10) crispy florette packet of salad if you can not grow or pick natural weeds -
11) water available all the time but make sure bath him daily - heating dries torts out especially your central heating
12) http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/p...0#.Wbbf4pWWzX5 - good web site for what tortoise can thrive on ! check it out if in doubt.

Hope that helps, good luck and keep in touch, would love to see anyphotos too !

Don't be afraid to ask any question no question is stupid
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Horsfields, Spur Thighed, & Marginata
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