2 x Baby Hermans!!

Dag^Jase · 29-05-2011, 09:09 AM

Hey warriors!

My gf and I bought 2 baby Herman's tortoises yesterday and we are complete novices on how to look after them ( Despite extensive goggling!)

I just have a few questions that I hope you can help with ...

Is a heat mat / pad essential? I am nervous about them getting cold when the basking lamp is off. ( I do have a UV lamp as well). If it is essential why would the pet store have sold me a starter kit with out it!!

Would you recommend any veterinary package?

I think they are babies ... they fit in the palm of my hand easily! Is it normal for them to sleep a lot?

**Bindi** · 29-05-2011, 11:00 AM

Hi there and congrats on your new torts!

Many keepers use a ceramic heater rather than a heat mat for extra warmth if they feel it is necessary. Both need to be used together with a thermostat to regulate the temperature.

The reason many don't use heat mats is there have been some horror stories about torts getting burnt/ over heating whilst sat on them. How true that is and whether it is torty urban myth i don't know. The general advice is if using a heat mat to attach it to the side of the viv/tort table.

I use a ceramic heater if I need overnight heat.

It is worth finding out the nearest reptile/tortoise specialist vet near you in case you need one at short notice. Lots of vets claim to be specialists but unfortunately sometimes their knowledge can be outdated and don't give the best advice.

In my torty medical cabinet I have some Betadine (a kind of antiseptic)
Some F10 disinfectant
1m syringes
Reptoboost
saline
Hibiscrub

MiShelley · 29-05-2011, 11:41 AM

I personally don't use any kind of heat when the lamps go off in the evening, just make sure the room is warm enough.
Congratulations on your new arrivals!

Gem · 29-05-2011, 01:33 PM

Unless you live in a very cold house with drafts it is not neccessary to have any extra heat for these little guys at night. If the temps are above 18 degrees during the night I wouldn't use aanything else at all. In th wild the temps drop quite a bit so it is more normal to have the temp change at night.
As for them sleeping alot, what is the temps in the cool and basking area's of the table? It should be around 31-32 in the warm basking area and around 20-22 in the cooler end of the table.
Leave them to settle in as much as possible for the next few days, keep handling to a minimum for bathing,feeding, this way they will settle in faster, the more you can do this the less stressed they will find their home move.
are they uk bred or pet shop bought? if they are imported(check article 10 license) it my be worth a vet check(proper reptile vet) up to make sure they havent got anything nasty going on.

Easter Bunny · 29-05-2011, 01:57 PM

I have two 5 month old Hermanns and I just have a heat/uv lamp for them which comes on at 6am and goes off at 7pm. At night they do not have any heat source and I was told they don't need heat at night as long as the temperature doesn't drop below 13 degrees. Mine seem to be doing fine with this. In the morning as soon as the heat lamp comes on and the food put in they are up and wondering around. ( especially the littlest one).
When I first got them like yours they did sleep alot and would eat then go and hide again, but now they are settled they are mostly out having fun. If the temperature outside is over 17 degrees I put them out in their outdoor enclosure which is a large rabbit cage. Even if it is windy and cloudy. At the moment one is sitting on a log and the other is eating, lol.

Imo the tortoise trust website is a good site to go on for info. The tortoisetable website is brilliant for identifying weeds and plants and of course this site is really good for advice and everyone are so friendly.

Be great to see some photos of them.

kkenny · 30-05-2011, 07:03 AM

I agree that you shouldnt need heat at night for Hermanns.

I have heard that babies that small sleep a lot.

How exciting for you both. If you are a regular visitor to this site then you wont go wrong! Enjoy!

Dag^Jase · 30-05-2011, 03:20 PM

Hey thanks for all your advise I am still worried that there sleeping to much but maybe I am just a nervous dad!

Pics:

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

29-05-2011, 09:09 AM	#1
Dag^Jase Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 40	2 x Baby Hermans!! Hey warriors! My gf and I bought 2 baby Herman's tortoises yesterday and we are complete novices on how to look after them ( Despite extensive goggling!) I just have a few questions that I hope you can help with ... Is a heat mat / pad essential? I am nervous about them getting cold when the basking lamp is off. ( I do have a UV lamp as well). If it is essential why would the pet store have sold me a starter kit with out it!! Would you recommend any veterinary package? I think they are babies ... they fit in the palm of my hand easily! Is it normal for them to sleep a lot?

29-05-2011, 11:00 AM	#2
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	Hi there and congrats on your new torts! Many keepers use a ceramic heater rather than a heat mat for extra warmth if they feel it is necessary. Both need to be used together with a thermostat to regulate the temperature. The reason many don't use heat mats is there have been some horror stories about torts getting burnt/ over heating whilst sat on them. How true that is and whether it is torty urban myth i don't know. The general advice is if using a heat mat to attach it to the side of the viv/tort table. I use a ceramic heater if I need overnight heat. It is worth finding out the nearest reptile/tortoise specialist vet near you in case you need one at short notice. Lots of vets claim to be specialists but unfortunately sometimes their knowledge can be outdated and don't give the best advice. In my torty medical cabinet I have some Betadine (a kind of antiseptic) Some F10 disinfectant 1m syringes Reptoboost saline Hibiscrub __________________

30-05-2011, 07:03 AM	#6
kkenny Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Warwick Posts: 1,303	I agree that you shouldnt need heat at night for Hermanns. I have heard that babies that small sleep a lot. How exciting for you both. If you are a regular visitor to this site then you wont go wrong! Enjoy! __________________ Karin Spartacus, THB, March 2013 Henry, THB, July 2008

30-05-2011, 03:20 PM	#7
Dag^Jase Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 40	Hey thanks for all your advise I am still worried that there sleeping to much but maybe I am just a nervous dad! Pics: Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us

29-05-2011, 11:41 AM	#3
MiShelley Member Hatchling Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lancaster, UK Posts: 647	I personally don't use any kind of heat when the lamps go off in the evening, just make sure the room is warm enough. Congratulations on your new arrivals!

29-05-2011, 01:33 PM	#4
Gem Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 205	Unless you live in a very cold house with drafts it is not neccessary to have any extra heat for these little guys at night. If the temps are above 18 degrees during the night I wouldn't use aanything else at all. In th wild the temps drop quite a bit so it is more normal to have the temp change at night. As for them sleeping alot, what is the temps in the cool and basking area's of the table? It should be around 31-32 in the warm basking area and around 20-22 in the cooler end of the table. Leave them to settle in as much as possible for the next few days, keep handling to a minimum for bathing,feeding, this way they will settle in faster, the more you can do this the less stressed they will find their home move. are they uk bred or pet shop bought? if they are imported(check article 10 license) it my be worth a vet check(proper reptile vet) up to make sure they havent got anything nasty going on.

29-05-2011, 01:57 PM	#5
Easter Bunny Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 5,337	I have two 5 month old Hermanns and I just have a heat/uv lamp for them which comes on at 6am and goes off at 7pm. At night they do not have any heat source and I was told they don't need heat at night as long as the temperature doesn't drop below 13 degrees. Mine seem to be doing fine with this. In the morning as soon as the heat lamp comes on and the food put in they are up and wondering around. ( especially the littlest one). When I first got them like yours they did sleep alot and would eat then go and hide again, but now they are settled they are mostly out having fun. If the temperature outside is over 17 degrees I put them out in their outdoor enclosure which is a large rabbit cage. Even if it is windy and cloudy. At the moment one is sitting on a log and the other is eating, lol. Imo the tortoise trust website is a good site to go on for info. The tortoisetable website is brilliant for identifying weeds and plants and of course this site is really good for advice and everyone are so friendly. Be great to see some photos of them.

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