Newbie - still researching!

[ditzyangeluk]

I am a newbie here - and to Tortoises. I have been thinking about it for ages, keep researching and then wonder "should I" but I really want one!

All the research is confusing but basic questions are;

1) Are they good pets
2) Do they smell
3) Do they take a lot of looking after (I am up on lighting heat etc, just other general stuff!)
4) Should I put food/plants IN the enclosure or grow them?
5) Can I use a plastic storage type box as a starter home (ventilated or mesh covered of course) similar to one shown (but larger!) http://www.ryman.co.uk/0161206732/Re...ox-50L/Product


All help advice and hints welcome!

[Rosey-Bear]

Hi, I am new to tortoise keeping too.

I was lucky enough to be given 5 spurthighed tortoises from a friend. They are a more mature group at around 45-50 years old. Some were rescued when their elderly owner passed away and one was taken from customs.

I will answer your questions based on personal experience.
1) yes they do make good pets. I will say be wary around children as tortoises carry some nasty bacteria around that if you don't wash your hands after touching them, can make you quite poorly. They are fascinating to watch and have such differing personalities.
2) They only smell if you don't clean them out. The poo is strong smelling in a confined space but we don't notice it as they live outside and I remove poo as soon as I notice it.
3) They do take a lot of looking after but it is well worth it.
4) You can do both, but be prepared for anything in the enclosure will get munched. You can get tortoise safe plants that they won't eat for decoration.
5) Can't really answer this one fully as mine are outdoor, but I do know that it is recommended that the sides are a solid block as tortoises will always try to get to where they can see, so if the box is see through, then not recommended.

Hope that helps a bit.

[ditzyangeluk]

Thank you.

We don't have kids, so no problems there.

Research continues ... may get a ready-to-go set-up, table and lights from a reputable place, that way I can't go far wrong!

[Rosey-Bear]

I know a lot of people use indoor rabbit cages.

[Rosey-Bear]

These are my babies.

[becciwales]

I to will answer your questions based on my experiences, I've had Darwin since July last year and Archimedes and Galileo since February this year.

1 - Yes, they are fab pets. I love watching them
2 - No, they don't smell, I change the substrate every 4-6 weeks ish.
3 - I bath mine daily and feed and water them, once I had the lighting sorted and had learnt about supplements etc I don't find them hard/time consuming, apart from watching them.
4 - Yes, growing plants and some in the enclosure are both good ideas.
5 - I use indoor guinea pig cages as my enclosures. I think they'd be better than that type of box, unless of course you can find a large one.

Galileo, my smallest


My trio

[ditzyangeluk]

Thank you soooo much, and love your torts!

[Suze65]

Hi and welcome, I keep my little ones in an indoor rabbit cage, when they indoors.

[ditzyangeluk]

I have found an indoor one I may go for - do you mean with plastic base and the 'cage' bit like bars? Is this safe for a Hermann? Now I have to sort out about lighting and heat, aaargh!
Oh, and should the compost used be dried out or something or straight from the bag (which I think may be too moist?!)

[becciwales]

Yes, I have Hermanns.
It needs to be top soil not compost, compost has fertilisers in it.
I use a normal spot bulb for heat, above 80watts and the Arcadia T5 or T8 UVB strip light depending on the length of your cage xx