New Tortoise

joannefnm · 28-12-2011, 10:57 PM

Hi Guys,
I'm buying my first tortoise next week, i've been told a Horsfield is the best for a beginner, do you all agree?
Can I get any advice for a beginner and getting set up?
Thanks!

alley cat · 28-12-2011, 11:37 PM

I think a Horsfield is a very good choice, they are pretty hardy and full of character, I have 7 of them and they are all quite different

Smeg · 28-12-2011, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joannefnm

Can I get any advice for a beginner and getting set up?
Thanks!

Lots of info on here, use the search option.

I found that virtually everything I needed to know is on here somewhere, just got to look for it.

Xero · 29-12-2011, 02:47 AM

First of all, Welcome to Shelled warriors. A Horsefield is a good choice and one of the easier torts to look after.

Basically your gonna need a heat source a simple heat bulb from tesco is sufficent, it will need to create a basking spot of around 32-35c and a UV light which acts as the sun. as a substare you would be best of just using sterilised top soil from somewhere like b&q, your tort will want a hide or 2, just a plant pot on its side or a tunnel. thats the basics, the hardest part is the diet, a good website to see what they can and can't eat is http://thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/tortoise_home_1.asp if you need anymore help just let us know!

natstorts · 29-12-2011, 11:23 AM

Or hermanns...I have 3 hermanns and they are fairly easy to care for and are so funny

mrscross78 · 29-12-2011, 11:34 AM

I have 2 Western Hermann's who are full of character and are very sweet too they are ideal for a beginner. Also the Eastern Hermann's are perfect too!

emma_mcraf · 29-12-2011, 12:33 PM

Welcome to SW, Joanne.

I have Hermanns too - they're lovely little torts, but Horsfields are wonderful too. I think you'd be fine with either. Go and have a look at some, if you're able to, and see which you prefer.

Easter Bunny · 29-12-2011, 12:39 PM

I have Hermanns too but I love horsfields, they have very sweet faces and are meant to be great characters. I think either tortoise would suit a beginner. Can't wait for photos xx

janeL · 29-12-2011, 12:48 PM

Hi, welcome to the world of tortoise keeping. Beware it is addictive.
I have had both Horsfileds and Hermanns. Horsfileds having been foster tortoises. My preferance for a new owner would be a Hermanns or Ibera. Hermanns are full of character, they are not as head strong and are less aggressive, plus I belive outside enclosures are easier for Hermanns as they don't climb quite so high or dig quite so deep.

However, there are other people who will say Horsfileds are the best and what ever species you chose I am sure you will love them just as well!!!

kaychapman7 · 29-12-2011, 12:53 PM

I have 2 hermans they are fantastic but im sure horsefields are too, good luck

28-12-2011, 10:57 PM	#1
joannefnm Junior Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Liverpool Posts: 29	New Tortoise Hi Guys, I'm buying my first tortoise next week, i've been told a Horsfield is the best for a beginner, do you all agree? Can I get any advice for a beginner and getting set up? Thanks!

29-12-2011, 02:47 AM	#4
Xero Member Hatchling Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 742	First of all, Welcome to Shelled warriors. A Horsefield is a good choice and one of the easier torts to look after. Basically your gonna need a heat source a simple heat bulb from tesco is sufficent, it will need to create a basking spot of around 32-35c and a UV light which acts as the sun. as a substare you would be best of just using sterilised top soil from somewhere like b&q, your tort will want a hide or 2, just a plant pot on its side or a tunnel. thats the basics, the hardest part is the diet, a good website to see what they can and can't eat is http://thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/tortoise_home_1.asp if you need anymore help just let us know! __________________ Peaches > Turbo > Speedy > Dexcie 1.2.0 T.h.Horsfieldii..R.I.P Speedy :(

29-12-2011, 11:23 AM	#5
natstorts Member Juvenile Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Kenilworth, Warwickshire UK Posts: 935	Or hermanns...I have 3 hermanns and they are fairly easy to care for and are so funny __________________ Natalie 1.0.1 THBs(Freddie and Flo) 0.0.1 Leopard(Otis) 1.1.0 Dogs (Zac + Meg) 2.0.0 Cats (Oli + Billy) 1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Draz) 1.0.0 Russian Dwarf Hamster (Ralph) 2.0.0 Gerbils (Patch + Digger)

29-12-2011, 11:34 AM	#6
mrscross78 Member Hatchling Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: East Anglia Posts: 555	I have 2 Western Hermann's who are full of character and are very sweet too they are ideal for a beginner. Also the Eastern Hermann's are perfect too! __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni Victor & George Amelia

29-12-2011, 12:33 PM	#7
emma_mcraf Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 11,365	Welcome to SW, Joanne. I have Hermanns too - they're lovely little torts, but Horsfields are wonderful too. I think you'd be fine with either. Go and have a look at some, if you're able to, and see which you prefer. __________________ Emma Testudo Hermanni 5.12.2:Theo, Tamara, Tabitha, Harriet, Isabelle, Clara, Oscar, Hugo, Oliver, Florence, Arabella, Esmé, Aurelia, Felicia, Claudia, Atticus, Celestia, Amaris, Tristan and Clementine Budgies: Jasper, Ivo, Otis, Henry, Louie and Luca Doggies: 1.1.0 Chester and Lottie

28-12-2011, 11:37 PM	#2
alley cat Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,150	I think a Horsfield is a very good choice, they are pretty hardy and full of character, I have 7 of them and they are all quite different

29-12-2011, 12:39 PM	#8
Easter Bunny Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 5,337	I have Hermanns too but I love horsfields, they have very sweet faces and are meant to be great characters. I think either tortoise would suit a beginner. Can't wait for photos xx __________________ Lynne x

29-12-2011, 12:48 PM	#9
janeL Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: northampton Posts: 1,435	Hi, welcome to the world of tortoise keeping. Beware it is addictive. I have had both Horsfileds and Hermanns. Horsfileds having been foster tortoises. My preferance for a new owner would be a Hermanns or Ibera. Hermanns are full of character, they are not as head strong and are less aggressive, plus I belive outside enclosures are easier for Hermanns as they don't climb quite so high or dig quite so deep. However, there are other people who will say Horsfileds are the best and what ever species you chose I am sure you will love them just as well!!! __________________ www.urbantortoise.co.uk For Tortoise Food, Plants and Pre Alpin info & sales Hermanns THB 2:3:0 Algerian TGG 1.2.3 Ibera TGI 0.1.0[/CENTER]

29-12-2011, 12:53 PM	#10
kaychapman7 Member Incubating Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Derby Posts: 129	I have 2 hermans they are fantastic but im sure horsefields are too, good luck

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