New Tortoise - Page 2

Watermelon · 29-12-2011, 01:24 PM

Congrats, yes they are very addictive I am wanting a third one this next year sometime!!

Just key advice vary their diet, dont give them the same food everyday and try aim for 5 different plants every day. Try not to hand feed them much either as this could encourage biting.

kaychapman7 · 29-12-2011, 01:33 PM

This is a picture of my new Hermanns Tortoise, Genevieve. Hope this works as it is my first time posting pictures

shellonia · 29-12-2011, 01:54 PM

Horsefields and hermans both easy to keep but horsefields tend to dig in and disappear for weeks on end once they go outside! Also they are more aggressive if you end up with 2 males or male/1 female.Hermans are hardy, have bags of personality, are good eaters and adaptable to change. I am biassed but have kept or know of keepers of all 3, including ibera. Iberas are lovely little tortoises but a bit more prone to runny nose and I've not found them quite as interesting or active. At the end of the day you will probably fall in love with certain ones and as has been said- it's addictive!

joannefnm · 29-12-2011, 02:33 PM

Wow thanks for all the great advice!
Would you recommend the heat lamp and UV light combined or seperate?
My dad's really into gardening so he's planning on growing food on the windowsills already!
I'm torn between the Hermann and Horsfield now! Which is the smallest at an adult age?

I'm SO excited guys! Any name suggestions?!

joannefnm · 29-12-2011, 03:28 PM

Also I want to get a combined bulb, i was looking on amazon, this seems a good option http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terra-Solar-...5172090&sr=8-1
does anybody have experience with this bulb or could recommend a different one?

Tenth Legion · 29-12-2011, 03:38 PM

Hi joanne, I'm in the same boat as you. I'm getting everything ready atm and doing my homework to be prepared for when I get my tort. I'm looking at a Hermann rather than a Horsefield as they are also easier for a beginner and more adaptable/hardy as has been said already.

suttysue · 29-12-2011, 04:08 PM

I have both Horsefields & a Herman they both have different qualities but I do find my likkle Hfields are full of fun borbering on impishness.
Whatever you choose I'm sure your'll enjoy your tort and I bet you end up with more than 1
sue

burnt toast · 29-12-2011, 04:49 PM

I will add my twopenneth, Joanne... why not consider a Marginated? They are very hardy, look great, eat same diet, same environmental conditions as the others, but arent prone to rns & dont try to constantly escape indoors or out, rarely dig & cost the same money for a hatchling. Can you tell im biased?!

Easter Bunny · 29-12-2011, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joannefnm

Also I want to get a combined bulb, i was looking on amazon, this seems a good option http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terra-Solar-...5172090&sr=8-1
does anybody have experience with this bulb or could recommend a different one?

IMO I wouldn't go for the solar glow bulb. I used to use them and they always blew after 4/6 weeks of use. I wasted so much money with them. Others on here also say the uv output isn't that great either.
I use the Arcadia D3 combined bulb and I wouldn't change now. They are a bit more expensive but really worth it.

mrscross78 · 29-12-2011, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LYNNEEASTER

IMO I wouldn't go for the solar glow bulb. I used to use them and they always blew after 4/6 weeks of use. I wasted so much money with them. Others on here also say the uv output isn't that great either.
I use the Arcadia D3 combined bulb and I wouldn't change now. They are a bit more expensive but really worth it.

I second that... I had 2 solar glo bulbs and both blew with in 2 months.. I also now use an Arcadia D3 bulb.

29-12-2011, 01:24 PM	#11
Watermelon Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,085	Congrats, yes they are very addictive I am wanting a third one this next year sometime!! Just key advice vary their diet, dont give them the same food everyday and try aim for 5 different plants every day. Try not to hand feed them much either as this could encourage biting.

29-12-2011, 01:33 PM	#12
kaychapman7 Member Incubating Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Derby Posts: 129	This is a picture of my new Hermanns Tortoise, Genevieve. Hope this works as it is my first time posting pictures

29-12-2011, 01:54 PM	#13
shellonia Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central s england Posts: 1,534	Horsefields and hermans both easy to keep but horsefields tend to dig in and disappear for weeks on end once they go outside! Also they are more aggressive if you end up with 2 males or male/1 female.Hermans are hardy, have bags of personality, are good eaters and adaptable to change. I am biassed but have kept or know of keepers of all 3, including ibera. Iberas are lovely little tortoises but a bit more prone to runny nose and I've not found them quite as interesting or active. At the end of the day you will probably fall in love with certain ones and as has been said- it's addictive!

29-12-2011, 02:33 PM	#14
joannefnm Junior Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Liverpool Posts: 29	Wow thanks for all the great advice! Would you recommend the heat lamp and UV light combined or seperate? My dad's really into gardening so he's planning on growing food on the windowsills already! I'm torn between the Hermann and Horsfield now! Which is the smallest at an adult age? I'm SO excited guys! Any name suggestions?!

29-12-2011, 03:28 PM	#15
joannefnm Junior Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Liverpool Posts: 29	Also I want to get a combined bulb, i was looking on amazon, this seems a good option http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terra-Solar-...5172090&sr=8-1 does anybody have experience with this bulb or could recommend a different one?

29-12-2011, 03:38 PM	#16
Tenth Legion Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Carmarthenshire Posts: 53	Hi joanne, I'm in the same boat as you. I'm getting everything ready atm and doing my homework to be prepared for when I get my tort. I'm looking at a Hermann rather than a Horsefield as they are also easier for a beginner and more adaptable/hardy as has been said already.

29-12-2011, 04:08 PM	#17
suttysue Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK / Eng / Yorkshire Posts: 1,483	I have both Horsefields & a Herman they both have different qualities but I do find my likkle Hfields are full of fun borbering on impishness. Whatever you choose I'm sure your'll enjoy your tort and I bet you end up with more than 1 sue

29-12-2011, 04:49 PM	#18
burnt toast Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,245	I will add my twopenneth, Joanne... why not consider a Marginated? They are very hardy, look great, eat same diet, same environmental conditions as the others, but arent prone to rns & dont try to constantly escape indoors or out, rarely dig & cost the same money for a hatchling. Can you tell im biased?!

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