What can I expect from my Torts?

[Angus]

I have been wondering what to expect with their behaviour. I know there will be a settling in period with them in their new enviroment, but once this is over how will I know if I have got it absolutley right? A the mo they dig in their hide which is built in to, the table. They come out to feed then return to hide. The room temp is never below 70 F. Today 74 all day. Their basking area is 95 degrees. When they are in the hide then they are not getting their UV rays either. Do I just leave them to it and let them come and go as they please?

[sandy]

Once you have things right, they will get themselves up when the UV lamp is on, bask first thing. Once they have warmed up enough they go looking for food. This is when they are trampling all over the place, climbing etc. They also will use the water bowl as and when they want too. Once they have eaten, then its back to basking. Then eventually back to sleep.

[anna m]

Maybe 95 is too high a temperature for the hot spot. I thought it was 90? I'm no expert

[Alan1]

This is from the TT site

In most cases, for small to medium-sized
Mediterranean tortoises, a single ‘UV-Heat’ (self
ballasted mercury vapour) lamp will be capable
of meeting their complete needs for both quality
illumination and radiant, basking heat. Such a
lamp should be installed in full accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions in an approved
heatproof ceramic holder and reflector.
Normally, such lamps are installed between 30
cm (12”) to 45 cm (18”) above the basking
position. This should result in temperatures of
32 to 35 Celsius being achieved directly beneath
the lamp, with a decreasing gradient to
background temperatures of approximately 24
Celsius at the periphery of the enclosure during
the day.
It is absolutely vital, especially with small
juveniles, that they are never able to fall upon
their backs directly under a hot basking lamp.
Fatal overheating can occur in those
circumstances very quickly.
This can be prevented by raising the lamp
to reduce ground temperatures or by turning it
off completely if you are leaving it unattended.
To maintain full activity, provide
approximately 14 hours of light and heat daily.
At night, unless the room where the tortoises are
kept is unusually cold, little or no overnight
heating should be required withMediterranean
tortoises (tropical tortoises require different
conditions). Ambient overnight temperatures
for Mediterranean tortoises (even hatchlings)
can safely be allowed to fall to 15 Celsius or even
somewhat less. Actual harm would not result
unless temperatures approached freezing point.
Even in the wild, it is quite normal for
temperatures to fall markedly at night.

In summer it won't get to 95f here in UK very often though or even 75f

[Angus]

Originally Posted by caledonia

This is from the TT site


In summer it won't get to 95f here in UK very often though or even 75f

Well that is what I tought yet as you pointed out from your post the temp guides are what I have in my cool and basking spot

so I am a bit confused. The breeder of my two who has several breeding torts told me not to provide water as there is not need because they get their moisture from their food. I have got water bye the way in a very shallow bowl. As with all animals different people have different ideas and opinions I just want to get things right.

[sandy]

Small or young tortoises can dehydrate very quickly, so I for one alway recommend that a shallow dish of water is provided. With medium sized pebbles in so they can turn back up if they turn over in it. Mine always can be seed drinking or bathing in rain water.

[Alan1]

How long have you had them, it took 6 or 7 weeks for one of mine to settle in and start eating properly?

Are they Hermanns? Are you bathing them daily and have they been wormed?

If they have only been getting their water from food they may be dehydrated. It's a bit strange that a breeder says they don't need water, anyone on here would I expect disagree with that

[Angus]

I Have had them just over a week. From the start I have provided water as I would not feel comfortable not doing do, I added the peddles a tip learnt from this site. They were vet checked & wormed with paste from the vets my sister in law is a vet so it is handy. They are not dehydrated either. They are bathed daily for around 10 minutes. I looked around for a while before making my purchase and these little guys where the healthiest I saw. They have eaten daily since they arrived. So I presume the temps I have are ok? Just a matter of letting them settle in a little more? They are MEDITERRANEAN SPUR THIGHED T G Iberia I was told on this site.

[anna m]

I think they are ok. Should be about 30C. I get confused about converting the temperture to farenhight.

[MrD]

Hi,

I thought the same when I first got mine in August. Since they have had some very odd behaviour but seem overall pretty happy!! I think one of mine took longer to settle than the other. I haven't put pebbles in my water, so I think I will be adding to that!!

A quick question for those more experienced tort keepers? I have been sorting temps and even bought a digital therm to keep an eye on the temps in the basking and outer areas.

I am wondering if I should be turning off the heat lamp at night. Generally the room is pretty chilly, so I have always kept it on. My new Thermometer has a Max/Min, but I am tracking for a few days so not sure quite what it is falling to at night.
Would anyone advise keeping it on all night?