06-02-2008, 03:00 PM | #1 |
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A newbie with lots of questions
Hi, Im new to tortoise keeping and a short time ago was given two hermans which I have called Dolly and Mini !
They were apparently supposed to be Hermans aged between 3-4 and male and female, but after looking on the forum they both look like females, although I am probably wrong. They are in a viv at the moment but I do leave one of the doors open and it has 3 large vents at the back. I am looking at alternative accomodation for them. The set up they now have is a 4ftx2ftx2ft viv with a Repti Glo 8.0 and a Repti Glo heat bulb at the other end. I have also bought a habistat thermostat. They were on bark chippings, so I have changed this to Hemcore and have bought them play sand and topsoil yesterday which I was going to use under the lamp. I have been giving them floretts crispy salad,rocket,watercress and a small amount of cucumber and weeds if I can find them, also how often sould I give them Nutrobal ? I dont think that they have had a very good start to life as they have lumpy shells and were being feed on iceburg lettuce and had the wrong UV bulb. I have them booked in at the vets next week for a checkup. I have really fallen in love with them and need to know I am looking after them ok. |
06-02-2008, 03:07 PM | #2 |
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it sounds like you already have picked up a lot of advice from readin the boards anyhow, and your heart is definitely with them, so i am sure they will be absolutley fine.
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06-02-2008, 04:02 PM | #3 |
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If they have already had a bad diet, feeding them lettuce and salad food is not going to
improve them I am afraid. They need to be on a weed diet as soon as possible. There are plenty of weeds around if you look for them.
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06-02-2008, 05:45 PM | #4 |
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Im doing my best with the weeds, I have planted some seeds today and have a friend who walks her dogs at her local nature reserve so she is also on the look out. Now after seeing the edible weed section I can now look for weeds I know will be safe for them, as I am no Alan titchmarsh when It comes to plants !!
Hopefully the seeds will be sprouting soon. |
06-02-2008, 06:23 PM | #5 |
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One of the best ways to get used to plants/weeds is going out finding them, taking a picture
and posting on the weeds section. That way plants stay in your mind better.
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06-02-2008, 08:01 PM | #6 |
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you sprinkle nutrabol on there food daily
i also sprinkle limestone flour on there food as well say every other day i have cuttlefish in there enclosure as well, the type you buy for birds that is good trimming beak and its calcium as well well done on getting them out of the viv post some pics of them
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08-02-2008, 02:46 PM | #7 |
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08-02-2008, 05:02 PM | #8 |
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They are beautiful "girls"
If you keep up the good work and keep on improving their diet and conditions they will thrive in your care, I am sure
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08-02-2008, 05:11 PM | #9 |
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Thank you TortMad
I do hope so as I do worry about there shells being lumpy They had a good helping of dandilions today and I have ordered them some limestone and some wild flower seeds. They are so friendly and come up to me nearly everytime they see me. I love them to bits !! |
08-02-2008, 09:19 PM | #10 |
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they are both lovely and will thrive with your tlc
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