Hi guys, a 'wet behind the ears' newbie here lol

neildunne · 15-02-2008, 04:16 PM

Hello everyone! I'd like to intoduce myself, my name's Neil and due to unforseen circumstances, am now the proud owner of a little tortoise. Three weeks ago my older sister passed away unfortunatly after a short illness. She lived on her own with the little fellow she called Phil. Originally my mum took the tortoise with every good intention of looking after him herself, but realised there was more to it than she first thought. She was going to offer him to a local pet shop but i couldn't let her do it as my sister thought so much about him, and i see him as being part of her. I'll admit im in need of some help, and am asking if you could give me a few pointers to help get me started. I have done a little reading up on the internet and i just hope a i am getting things right. I will try and upload some photo's with this post to see if they can help with any advice. The substrate in his table is 2/3 topsoil to 1/3 soft sand. I have a heat bulb which keeps the temp through the day at approx 90fh/30c, and a uv tube, which i leave on for approx 14 hours a day. He doesnt seem to be eating though which at the moment is my main concern! I collected him on Tuesday evening from my mums and i haven't seen him eat yet, even though he is quite active. I am feeding him at the moment on fresh veg from the grocer and dandelion leaves sprinkled with nutrabol which i read about on this site. I have ordered a seed mix from Shelled Warriors ebay site, and am waiting for these to arrive so i can attempt to grow them and give him the proper nutrition he needs. If the photo's upload, can anyone tell me if he is a Hermanns or a Hosefields? Im not to sure, but i think a Hermanns!? Any help or advice will be greatfully appreciated, as i'd be beside myself if anything was to happen to the little fellow as my sister thought so much about him, and i've got to admit......i'm also quite attatched to him now....

alicia · 15-02-2008, 04:35 PM

hello neil. im really sorry to hear about your sister, i think it's nice you have this little guy to remind you of her.

the little tortoise you have is a horse field, im not sure on sex as im not a 'horsefield person' the set up you have is perfect.

im sure a horse field keeper will reply soon to answer any questions you may have.

best wishes

alice

wildlifewarrior · 15-02-2008, 04:36 PM

firstly welcome. this is a great site and very friendly.

secondly for a complete novice you seem to have pretty the basic's covered....i was expects to read that he is kept in a vivarium with gravel and fed on nothing but fruit. you seems to be doing a very good job and i am syre your sister would be pround of you for taking him on and looking after him as well as you are.

Amanda · 15-02-2008, 04:38 PM

Really glad you kept him for yourself, as you say, he's a part of your sister and I am sure he will probably outlive you too.

sandy · 15-02-2008, 04:41 PM

Welcome, sorry to hear about the sad circumstances you aquired your tortoise.
Lots of info on here, great weed section.
For further info try www.thetortoisehouse.com and www.tortoises.net
Horsfields (russian) like to bury down in substrate, it needs to be deepish. Diet is weeds weeds
and more weeds. Fruit can upset the gut flora balance, and cabbage family can inhibit the
absortion of calcium the their bones.
Bathing regularly helps keep them hydrated and helps the appeitite.

Amanda · 15-02-2008, 04:46 PM

Bathing also makes them wee and poo LOL

Toni115 · 15-02-2008, 05:12 PM

welcome from me

so sorry to hear about your sister,
You are doing her proud, and she would be so happy to know the little fellow is being well cared for

well done

neildunne · 15-02-2008, 05:15 PM

Thanks very much guys for your extremely fast replys. I think i feel a little more confidant in knowing that i am aiming in the right direction with him. I hope to gain as much knowledge as posible cos this little guy means the world to me. I never thought i'd be the proud dad (lol) of a little tortoise, but fate has deemed it this way and i must say i'm starting to enjoy it. I really am concerned though at him not eating though!

Toni115 · 15-02-2008, 05:17 PM

Give him a while, he may just be adjusting to his new surroundings

sandy · 15-02-2008, 06:33 PM

Yes some torts take a while to ajust to a new home, as temps etc are different.
Just keep up the bathing as I am sure he/she will eat.

15-02-2008, 04:16 PM	#1
neildunne Member Incubating Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Darwen, Lancashire Posts: 105	Hi guys, a 'wet behind the ears' newbie here lol Hello everyone! I'd like to intoduce myself, my name's Neil and due to unforseen circumstances, am now the proud owner of a little tortoise. Three weeks ago my older sister passed away unfortunatly after a short illness. She lived on her own with the little fellow she called Phil. Originally my mum took the tortoise with every good intention of looking after him herself, but realised there was more to it than she first thought. She was going to offer him to a local pet shop but i couldn't let her do it as my sister thought so much about him, and i see him as being part of her. I'll admit im in need of some help, and am asking if you could give me a few pointers to help get me started. I have done a little reading up on the internet and i just hope a i am getting things right. I will try and upload some photo's with this post to see if they can help with any advice. The substrate in his table is 2/3 topsoil to 1/3 soft sand. I have a heat bulb which keeps the temp through the day at approx 90fh/30c, and a uv tube, which i leave on for approx 14 hours a day. He doesnt seem to be eating though which at the moment is my main concern! I collected him on Tuesday evening from my mums and i haven't seen him eat yet, even though he is quite active. I am feeding him at the moment on fresh veg from the grocer and dandelion leaves sprinkled with nutrabol which i read about on this site. I have ordered a seed mix from Shelled Warriors ebay site, and am waiting for these to arrive so i can attempt to grow them and give him the proper nutrition he needs. If the photo's upload, can anyone tell me if he is a Hermanns or a Hosefields? Im not to sure, but i think a Hermanns!? Any help or advice will be greatfully appreciated, as i'd be beside myself if anything was to happen to the little fellow as my sister thought so much about him, and i've got to admit......i'm also quite attatched to him now....

15-02-2008, 04:35 PM	#2
alicia Senior Member Adult Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: waterlooville, Hampshire Posts: 2,328	hello neil. im really sorry to hear about your sister, i think it's nice you have this little guy to remind you of her. the little tortoise you have is a horse field, im not sure on sex as im not a 'horsefield person' the set up you have is perfect. im sure a horse field keeper will reply soon to answer any questions you may have. best wishes alice __________________ 0.0.2 graeca ibera

15-02-2008, 04:41 PM	#5
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Welcome, sorry to hear about the sad circumstances you aquired your tortoise. Lots of info on here, great weed section. For further info try www.thetortoisehouse.com and www.tortoises.net Horsfields (russian) like to bury down in substrate, it needs to be deepish. Diet is weeds weeds and more weeds. Fruit can upset the gut flora balance, and cabbage family can inhibit the absortion of calcium the their bones. Bathing regularly helps keep them hydrated and helps the appeitite. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

15-02-2008, 05:12 PM	#7
Toni115 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ongar Essex Posts: 3,203	welcome from me so sorry to hear about your sister, You are doing her proud, and she would be so happy to know the little fellow is being well cared for well done __________________ Toni xx Proud owner of 1 redfoot, 1 moggy, 1 very stupid dog, 1 dwarf Lop, 2 leopard geckos and two teenage girls!

15-02-2008, 05:15 PM	#8
neildunne Member Incubating Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Darwen, Lancashire Posts: 105	Thank-You Very Much!! Thanks very much guys for your extremely fast replys. I think i feel a little more confidant in knowing that i am aiming in the right direction with him. I hope to gain as much knowledge as posible cos this little guy means the world to me. I never thought i'd be the proud dad (lol) of a little tortoise, but fate has deemed it this way and i must say i'm starting to enjoy it. I really am concerned though at him not eating though!

15-02-2008, 04:36 PM	#3
wildlifewarrior Banned Adult Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: stokie for life Posts: 4,272	firstly welcome. this is a great site and very friendly. secondly for a complete novice you seem to have pretty the basic's covered....i was expects to read that he is kept in a vivarium with gravel and fed on nothing but fruit. you seems to be doing a very good job and i am syre your sister would be pround of you for taking him on and looking after him as well as you are.

15-02-2008, 04:38 PM	#4
Amanda Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 262	Really glad you kept him for yourself, as you say, he's a part of your sister and I am sure he will probably outlive you too.

15-02-2008, 04:46 PM	#6
Amanda Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 262	Bathing also makes them wee and poo LOL

15-02-2008, 05:17 PM	#9
Toni115 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ongar Essex Posts: 3,203	Give him a while, he may just be adjusting to his new surroundings __________________ Toni xx Proud owner of 1 redfoot, 1 moggy, 1 very stupid dog, 1 dwarf Lop, 2 leopard geckos and two teenage girls!

15-02-2008, 06:33 PM	#10
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Yes some torts take a while to ajust to a new home, as temps etc are different. Just keep up the bathing as I am sure he/she will eat. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

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