![]() |
#1 |
Junior Member
Egg
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Coventry
Posts: 22
|
![]()
Hello All
This is my first post and I was wondering if anyone can help me ? I've decided to get a tortoise after wanting one for years, I'm totally new to this, although I have kept 2 red eared terrapins for over 20 years now. After researching for a few months I've decided on a Hermanns, Hermanni Hermanni. However the only dealers I've found are up in Scotland or Norfolk. As I'm in Coventry this is quite a trek. Does anybody on here know of any breeders more local ? I have seen so called 'breeders' selling via the internet, but I want to get one from a proper breeder. Also would you agree with my choice ? The main reason I picked it was that it appeared to be a good beginers tortoise that dosen't grow to a large size. Sorry for the long post, but any help would be much appreciated. Cheers Rob |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Super Moderator
Adult
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 11,157
|
![]()
Hi Rob, and welcome to SW!
Hermanni hermanni are charming tortoises and you're right in thinking they do not grow to a particularly large size. However, i think you'll find that finding true Hermanni hermanni is quite a problem in itself. Most breeders of this relatively uncommon sub-species of Hermans tend to keep the hatchlings to grow on and breed from themselves to preserve the line. Any subspecies of Hermans ae a good beginner tort (if there is one!) as are Mediterranean Spur Thighs (Testudo graeca Ibera) I've been told that Hermans have managed to adapt the best to the UK climate. I would also like to say well done for intending to buy from a UK breeder, rather than on-line or from a petshop. Many of the on-line dealers and petshops tend to sell imported torts which although isn't a problem in itself...many people have lovely healthy imported torts...it has been reported that there is more of a chance of them having high worm loads, amongst other things. Whether this is true or not I couldn't say, but I personnally wouldn't take the risk when there are plenty of UK breeders (depending on what you want) out there If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask, there is always someone ready and willing to help ![]() Good luck with your choice |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bristol
Posts: 7,157
|
![]()
Firstly welcome robertsutton1978.
I am sure someone will be along to answer your point about breeders, and reputable breeders. You might be able to source something via this site. Keep checking back to this post. Or pop on chat later and ask the questiion? I just wanted to make sure you are ok with the set up for your tortoise. Go for a tortoise table, not a vivarium -if you can. Pet shops will palm you off with more expensive vivariums but a tortoise table is the way to go. The Shelled Warrior shop sells them - click on the link to the shop section, down the forum page abit. For inside the table - go for either Soil/sand (mixing together - going for about 70% soil &30% sand as an example ratio) or just use plain sterilised topsoil (like you would get from B & Q or Homebase - those big bags). Your tort table might include a hide - which is where little hermann would go for a nap, to escape the heat and thermoregulate, and to sleep at night. If it doesnt include a hide built in. You can buy something called a Habba Hut which is a little log hide, and this is fine for a little tort. Place the hide at the cool end of the table. The other end would have your basking light - and along the side of your table would be your UV strip bulb. Or...you can go for a combined UV & basking bulb. Then you can decorate your table. Well, I guess I am jumping the gun abit but at least it gives you a head start on what to look for and what you will need. I didnt want you to find during your search - coming accross bad advice or info by a pet shop or anything. So this was just so you could get things ready, if and when you get your lovely tort. xxx ![]() Hope this helps and I wish you luck. Post on here about ANYTHING and everything that you have questions about - you will build up your knowledge in no time by doing that. xx ![]() ***Just seen Bindi's post - fab advice there and I say as well, well done for trying to source a breeder ![]() ![]() ![]() Last edited by yuna1971; 03-07-2010 at 06:14 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 6,919
|
![]()
Hi Robert, welcome to SW
![]()
__________________
Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Super Moderator
Adult
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ireland
Posts: 8,422
|
![]()
Hi Robert,
Welcome to Shelled Warriors. Great advice so far, I have only ever kept med spur thighs, even as a youngster in the mid to late 70's, all of which never survived like so many others of their time, but I have had a creep (group) of Iberas for the past 5 years now and having great reward from them, their are 5 alltogether in this creep and all have little personalities. Jennyjack (JJ) is the bossy aggressive one, bites your fingers if you put them near him and stomps to warn you off, and is a real gutsp pig when it comes to feeding. Penny who is a clutch mate of JJ is a real sweetie, she is so gentle and is delicate in everything she does, she is perfectly smooth grown as if she is a real lady watching what she eats and how she looks. Noname (NN) is another male not as aggressive but tries his best to be bossy stomping around when JJ tries to warn me off. Buttons is a hardier female, she takes no crap off JJ or NN if she wants a leaf or a place in the group pile she does her utmost best to keep it. Gem is the baby of the group who was not well early in her life with a nasty eye infection but she has bounced back and is now doing really well, but she is a slow grower like Penny and as such has remained a real little cutie, but she holds her own with the lads in the group too. I feed and keep my tortoises in the more traditional manner, feeding weeds flowers with very occassional salad leaves especially when weeds are in abundance. They go outdoors as often as possible when weather and circumstances permit, indoors they have a tortoise table and combined heat and UV lamp. I hope this helps.
__________________
Ade ![]() ----------------------------------------------- Y.O.B 1971 (40 years young! ![]() ![]() My Tortoises :- Dug (Testudo Graeca Ibera Terrestris (Syrian), Penny, JJ (JennyJack), Buttons and Gem (Testudo Graeca Ibera) |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bristol
Posts: 7,157
|
![]()
That sounds like a wonderful family of Ibera's Ade!! I think my Lily would fit right in with them. They all sound fabulous!!.. It sounds like you have your work cut out with them but I expect like me - they are so cheeky and full of fun, you get everything back what you put in..
xxx Nice to see you on here Ade!! ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bristol
Posts: 7,157
|
![]()
hi Robert- how is the search going?? There are some breeders on this forum i think, or at least they may have torts for sale. But not sure if they are hermanni hermanni. Go on...get an Ibera! They are fantastic!!!
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 | |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: cheshire
Posts: 3,472
|
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Super Moderator
Adult
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Sunny Scotland
Posts: 21,512
|
![]()
he does, it's Coventry .. "As I'm in Coventry this is quite a trek" he said
Last edited by Alan1; 04-07-2010 at 03:54 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Bristol
Posts: 7,157
|
![]()
Now I would have missed that Al, with my skipping.....
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|