Hello All - New here

[HerbsParents]

Hello all - New here and just thought I would introduce myself. I am currently in a human Tortoise romance with Herbert smith a 2 year old (as of Friday) spur thighed tortoise (Testudo Greacea Ibera). How Herbert came into our lives was my fiance and myself had considered a pet reptile for a while. I have always had a passion for reptiles and find them fascinating.

So with the fiance convinced and me with loads of ideas flooding into my head for what reptile we should go for we decided we should visit our local reptile store. Upon entering to say I was less than impressed was an understatement. The reptile care seemed to be lacking in places and the store was generally untidy and unkept (I will not name as I know is now under new management) We had a little walk around and that is when love struck. Looking out at us from his Vivarium (small viv shared with 2 others ) was Herbert. It was love at first site and when he yawned at us that was it. We left the store straight home and began researching. We werent going to go into this blind. So after some research im sure you all guessed it and everything advised at the store in regards to Herberts care was poor if not dangerous to give. We were going to leave it a little longer but after 2-3 weeks we could not take him being there any more and felt we were prepared to care for him. We went back and picked him up with not much more then him being put in my hand and the money taken.

There was a small amount of pyramiding apparent at the time of purchase but apart from this Herbert seemed healthy.

Now living in a Tortoise table with a Heat/UB light and lot more space Herbert seems a lot happier. He is currently on a soil/Tortoise substrate combination for substrate and has an Aloe Vera, Christmas Cactus, water bowl and 2 hides, one doubling as a little bridge. Herbert seems to enjoy coming out for his baths which are most days if not every other.

After 2 months we went to our local exotic vets to give hima full health check and to confirm our care was correct, we had wanted to do sooner but decided it was best to care for a little while so as to make sure our care was correct. the vet gave us a 9.5/10 as had been giving Nutrobal a little too often and now only do once every other feed.

Herbert has now been with us 6 months and was the best decision we have ever made - We did not expect him to have such a personality but he does, he is a cheeky little guy who loves to climb and will nip[ at your fingers when hungry. Could not imagine my life without this little guy now

Thank you for reading my essay of a post any who made it this far - now to be treated with some photos of the little guy himself

[lonelylayla]

Originally Posted by HerbsParents

Hello all - New here and just thought I would introduce myself. I am currently in a human Tortoise romance with Herbert smith a 2 year old (as of Friday) spur thighed tortoise (Testudo Greacea Ibera). How Herbert came into our lives was my fiance and myself had considered a pet reptile for a while. I have always had a passion for reptiles and find them fascinating.

So with the fiance convinced and me with loads of ideas flooding into my head for what reptile we should go for we decided we should visit our local reptile store. Upon entering to say I was less than impressed was an understatement. The reptile care seemed to be lacking in places and the store was generally untidy and unkept (I will not name as I know is now under new management) We had a little walk around and that is when love struck. Looking out at us from his Vivarium (small viv shared with 2 others ) was Herbert. It was love at first site and when he yawned at us that was it. We left the store straight home and began researching. We werent going to go into this blind. So after some research im sure you all guessed it and everything advised at the store in regards to Herberts care was poor if not dangerous to give. We were going to leave it a little longer but after 2-3 weeks we could not take him being there any more and felt we were prepared to care for him. We went back and picked him up with not much more then him being put in my hand and the money taken.

There was a small amount of pyramiding apparent at the time of purchase but apart from this Herbert seemed healthy.

Now living in a Tortoise table with a Heat/UB light and lot more space Herbert seems a lot happier. He is currently on a soil/Tortoise substrate combination for substrate and has an Aloe Vera, Christmas Cactus, water bowl and 2 hides, one doubling as a little bridge. Herbert seems to enjoy coming out for his baths which are most days if not every other.

After 2 months we went to our local exotic vets to give hima full health check and to confirm our care was correct, we had wanted to do sooner but decided it was best to care for a little while so as to make sure our care was correct. the vet gave us a 9.5/10 as had been giving Nutrobal a little too often and now only do once every other feed.

Herbert has now been with us 6 months and was the best decision we have ever made - We did not expect him to have such a personality but he does, he is a cheeky little guy who loves to climb and will nip[ at your fingers when hungry. Could not imagine my life without this little guy now

Thank you for reading my essay of a post any who made it this far - now to be treated with some photos of the little guy himself

Hello and welcome to the forum Loved reading your post, welcome to the world of being romanced by a tortoise the pictures are fabulous - he is a cracker, lovely colour and a great shell

[emma_mcraf]

Herbert is just gorgeous!
Welcome to the forum.

[Rosey-Bear]

He is certainly a looker.

[becciwales]

Hello and welcome. Herbert is a very handsome chappy

[Wyannis]

What a wee cutie! Love the ones where he is looking at the camera. He looks very happy in his new home.

[HerbsParents]

Thanks all for you kind words - he is our little stunner

[Pamalu]

Hello! I'm a newbie as well, I found this site invaluable with all the information. I love the photos of your Herbert.

[pebsmeboy]

Hello and welcome to you and Herbert
what a handsome chap he is.
xx

[Suze65]

Hi and welcome. Herbert is gorgeous, and I also enjoyed reading your essay.