New to the forum and tortoises - Hermans help please!

[JayceeStar13]

Hello all!

My name is Jaycee and I recently acquired a male Hermans tortoise, who I have named Winston. His old owner had to move house and so no longer had a garden, so she called my work place (as we have 9 tortoises already) and asked if we would take him. We couldn't take any more but as a staff member she was happy for me to take him as my own. I've always wanted one so I'm thrilled! I've done some reading about them and he's had a check up at the vets but I know how brilliant forums can be for advice so joined up here as I have a few questions/concerns.
Firstly, food. Winston arrived with two large tubs of komodo pellets, which the owner said made up the bulk of his diet along with dandelions and strawberry tops. Now I've read online that these pellets can lead to pyramiding and I'm concerned that WInston has this?

He also has a very bumpy/uneven part on the underside of his shell, at the front between his legs. Is this normal? As I've seen other torts where it is smooth?

Could it be his previous diet that caused these issues? And can they be resolved if his diet is changed? I'm still feeding him on the pellets at the moment as he settles in but have purchased some seeds from the Shelled Warriors shop and have started growing those. He also has access to veg and dandelions as I also own rabbits and guinea pigs.
Secondly, substrate and housing? He arrived with compacted straw bedding pellets but they're not all that great. I've read about mixing sand and compost - is this best for him? He lives in his tortoise table which is in the insulated shed during the day and overnight he comes into the house in a box we've made for him, as the shed gets quite cold. I'm hoping over the summer he can spend most of his time in the garden.
Thank you very much for all your help and anything else you think I might need to know would be greatly appreciated! I'll leave you with a few more photos of him so you can get an idea of his size.

[egyptiandan64]

Welcome to the forum Jaycee

Winston isn't very pyramided at all and the pellets haven't hurt him any. There is no problem with them being part of his diet. The Tortoise Table is a good place to research plants that you can add to his diet http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/s...ise_home_1.asp

His diet didn't cause the damage your seeing. I can see a bit on his marginals at the rear of his carapace. Without seeing a plastron picture (can you post one?) it's hard to tell for sure but it looks like he might have been chewed on by an animal, most likely a dog or fox. From the pictures it looks healed and should cause any problems.

For a substrate you can go with just plain top soil (without the sand mixed in). If your shed is to cold at night to leave him in, it's likely to be to cold during the day in the winter for him to be active and want to eat. Is there any way to either heat the shed or bring his table into the house for the winter?

Danny

[kkenny]

Hi, I agree as above, you really need for him to be indoors now. They originate in hot climates so either need to hibernate at this time of year or overwinter indoors with UV and basking heat.

Pellets are ok but you could go weed picking, thistles and dandelions are plentyfull at the moment. Dont forget the vitamin supplement with those, Nutrobal or similar. Provide calcium like cuttel fish bone or limestone flower.

I also use topsoil only with a littlre Readi grass as bedding. (I have 3 Hermanns)

Best of luck.

p.s - I also love Micheal McIntyre, saw him live last month!!!

[Suze65]

Everything Danny and Karin said, and I just wanted to say despite a slightly bumpy shell ( it's not bad) he a lovely looking little tort, lucky you!!! And welcome.

[emma_mcraf]

Welcome to you and Winston, Jaycee. There's still quite a lot of slender plantain about too so perhaps you could find some weeds for Winston to enjoy.
I agree with the others that he needs to be indoors if possible. We had our first frost last night and it's pretty nippy outside.