cat litter / bark

ANDY T · 29-08-2006, 10:13 PM

dear all

some one said i could use cat litter instead of bark in my two year old horsfield s set up

thought s

and best places to get good deals on the bark ect

cheers all 8)

veebee · 29-08-2006, 10:20 PM

Hi Andy I wouldnt keep a tortoise on cat litter as catlitter usually expands when wet to absorb the urine etc, if your tortoise ate some of it could you imagine what it would do to his insides? Bark isnt the best substrate for Horsfields, most people keep the tropical torts (eg redfoots) on this as it can be watered to hold the humidity these torts need. I keep my horsfield on hemp (aubiose) in one half and sand/soil mix the other half, this is more natural substrate.

Sarah sells aubiose in the shelled warrior shop, the sand and soil is very cheap from B&Q, bag of TOP soil and kids play sand, mix it 50/50.

Vivienne

jeff · 29-08-2006, 10:23 PM

Hi i agree with veebee 100%

ANDY T · 29-08-2006, 10:33 PM

legends

what exactly is this aubiose folks ?

and what about its bed compartment

and i take it straw is a no no eh

Andy T x

carl20 · 29-08-2006, 11:02 PM

straw isnt used much but a bit of hay for the russian to bury itself in would be ok as long as its replaced when pooed or urinated on.

nina · 29-08-2006, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANDY T

legends

what exactly is this aubiose folks ?

and what about its bed compartment

and i take it straw is a no no eh

Andy T x

I can't remember why straw isn't recommended, but I think it's because it gets mouldy easily. Aubiose is the brand name for the processed centre of the hemp plant. Here's a link to one of the manufacturers in the UK:
http://www.aubiose.co.uk/

ANDY T · 29-08-2006, 11:36 PM

thank you all

it appears i ain't been given the correct information by the suppliers or the right bedding with that tort

i wonder now about the lighting set up

OK guy s tell me what you see

give me a break down in case Ive been told a bundle of trollop

Henry-flash · 29-08-2006, 11:39 PM

The spot lamp needs to be pointing downwards. Also what is the blue light is it UV?

carl20 · 29-08-2006, 11:43 PM

dont worry m8 the pet shop had me waste hundreds on useless crap and the same thing happened to half the guys on here it aint your fault pet traders seem so concerned it makes you trust their info.

firstly u need a uv light for all torts either a strip light that needs replacing every 9 months or a combined heat uv light needs replacing every 2 years and is reccommended by most. If you use a strip light you will also need a spot light for heat.

Spot light should be pointing downwards onto the bedding.

The temp under the spot light should be about 35 degrees

you should feed a mix of weeds to ur tort, i could see grape and carrots.

There is no need in a coloured light.

ANDY T · 29-08-2006, 11:51 PM

The blue light don't have UV written on it

but i was assuming this was

but i was told that this one should be left on 24 / 7 - it has !

the normal light 12 sessions like the sun

the last few days I've been putting my tort in the sun but its so cloudy and with going to work and such not even 1 hr a day hes been getting

i dont want him to get sick . . .

29-08-2006, 10:13 PM	#1
ANDY T Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: north east Posts: 62	cat litter / bark dear all some one said i could use cat litter instead of bark in my two year old horsfield s set up thought s and best places to get good deals on the bark ect cheers all 8)

29-08-2006, 10:20 PM	#2
veebee Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Birmingham Posts: 1,109	Hi Andy I wouldnt keep a tortoise on cat litter as catlitter usually expands when wet to absorb the urine etc, if your tortoise ate some of it could you imagine what it would do to his insides? Bark isnt the best substrate for Horsfields, most people keep the tropical torts (eg redfoots) on this as it can be watered to hold the humidity these torts need. I keep my horsfield on hemp (aubiose) in one half and sand/soil mix the other half, this is more natural substrate. Sarah sells aubiose in the shelled warrior shop, the sand and soil is very cheap from B&Q, bag of TOP soil and kids play sand, mix it 50/50. Vivienne __________________ www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk PLEASE SIGN: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/769012123

29-08-2006, 10:23 PM	#3
jeff Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,180	Hi i agree with veebee 100% __________________

29-08-2006, 11:02 PM	#5
carl20 Member Hatchling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: north east Posts: 516	straw isnt used much but a bit of hay for the russian to bury itself in would be ok as long as its replaced when pooed or urinated on. __________________

29-08-2006, 11:39 PM	#8
Henry-flash Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 9,304	The spot lamp needs to be pointing downwards. Also what is the blue light is it UV? __________________ Peter Keeping: Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca (graeca & ibera ), Testudo horsfieldi, Astrochelys radiata, Malacochersus tornieri and Kinixys belliana. The North West Tortoise Group

29-08-2006, 10:33 PM	#4
ANDY T Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: north east Posts: 62	legends what exactly is this aubiose folks ? and what about its bed compartment and i take it straw is a no no eh Andy T x

29-08-2006, 11:36 PM	#7
ANDY T Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: north east Posts: 62	thank you all it appears i ain't been given the correct information by the suppliers or the right bedding with that tort i wonder now about the lighting set up OK guy s tell me what you see give me a break down in case Ive been told a bundle of trollop

29-08-2006, 11:43 PM	#9
carl20 Member Hatchling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: north east Posts: 516	dont worry m8 the pet shop had me waste hundreds on useless crap and the same thing happened to half the guys on here it aint your fault pet traders seem so concerned it makes you trust their info. firstly u need a uv light for all torts either a strip light that needs replacing every 9 months or a combined heat uv light needs replacing every 2 years and is reccommended by most. If you use a strip light you will also need a spot light for heat. Spot light should be pointing downwards onto the bedding. The temp under the spot light should be about 35 degrees you should feed a mix of weeds to ur tort, i could see grape and carrots. There is no need in a coloured light. __________________

29-08-2006, 11:51 PM	#10
ANDY T Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: north east Posts: 62	The blue light don't have UV written on it but i was assuming this was but i was told that this one should be left on 24 / 7 - it has ! the normal light 12 sessions like the sun the last few days I've been putting my tort in the sun but its so cloudy and with going to work and such not even 1 hr a day hes been getting i dont want him to get sick . . .

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)