18-05-2014, 03:59 PM | #1 |
Member
Egg
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 58
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I'm new here! And a brand new Tortoise Owner/Slave
Hi Everyone,
Thank you for letting me join the forum I just brought home a 6 week old Hermann Tortoise and I want to make sure I do everything correct. I'm very nervous. I have never had a Tortoise before only a Red Eared Slider Turtle. I still have her and she is now 11 years old. I got her as a hatchling. Anyways, I want to switch my little Tort over to a different Substrate. He/She is currently on Bark Chips and they are really dusty. I would like to switch to top soil but I am confused about which type? I know it cannot have fertilizers in it but what about fish fertilizer? Is that still bad? Oh just a bit of an intro. I am 39 years old, married, no kids just pets. We have 2 rabbits and 4 guinea pigs that live outside and in a shed/barn. I'm allergic to their hay and dander - the guinea pigs. And of course, the red eared slider Lady Thompson. I live on Vancouver Island British Columbia Canada... and work in health care. Well, I guess that is all for now! If someone can advise about the top soil that would be great. Thanks! |
18-05-2014, 07:46 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Devon
Posts: 11,365
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Welcome to the forum and congratulations on buying your new little tortoise. Hermanns are wonderful
I have a rabbit and two guineas and am allergic to them and their hay too! Tortoises make lovely non-allergenic pets. Ensure your topsoil is sterilised and it should be okay. I'm in the UK so can't advise the best store to buy it from. Photos of your new tort and your slider would be great.
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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 |
18-05-2014, 08:17 PM | #3 |
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Adult
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: South Wales
Posts: 3,438
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Hi and welcome, I too have Hermanns They're fab. xx
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Becci 1:2:0 Testudo Hermanni Boettgeri - Darwin, Galileo, and Einstein. Archimedes (THB) RIP June, 2018 |
18-05-2014, 08:27 PM | #4 |
Member
Hatchling
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Solihull west mids
Posts: 501
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Hi and welcome to you and your gorgeous tort xx
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Fi x 2:0:0 Horsfields 0:2:0 Tunisian Spur thighs 2 cats 2 dogs 4 Kids and a hubby |
18-05-2014, 09:03 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Ammanford, South Wales
Posts: 1,481
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Hello and welcome from me too
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Lynne TG Terresteris 1:3:1 Apollo & Layla, Santa, Helpa & Unig TG Iberia 2:3:0 Tonka, LJ, Persephone, Cleo & Clyde Saffron TGG RIP Jaunary 2019 Jasper, Harry & Ruby pussy cats 4 ex bat hens. |
18-05-2014, 09:20 PM | #6 |
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Adult
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 4,186
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Hello and welcome!
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1:1:1 Horsfields (Misha, Amber and Teabag) 1:0:0 Dog: Rocco, Rottweiler cross 1 husband (Russ) |
18-05-2014, 10:02 PM | #7 |
Member
Egg
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 58
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Hi Everyone
My little Tort is up and about today. He is so cute! I still haven't picked out a name. I'm setting up a new environment for him. It is bigger than the rubber maid container he is currently in. It is a old guinea pig cage I have. Plastic bottom and wire top. I have bought some top soil and am currently sterilizing it in the oven on some pans. LOL. And I have bought some sand to mix with it. I also bought terra cots pot and saucers, for food and hiding places. I gave him a little bath this morning for ten minutes in lukewarm water and then after he ate. Then he had a wander about and ate again. Another wander about and he ate again. Now he is walking around investigating everything. Here is a picture of my 11 year old slider named Lady Thompson. I Just moved her outside in her stock tank for the spring/summer. That is my husband in the background. [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] |
19-05-2014, 12:24 AM | #8 |
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Adult
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: South Wales
Posts: 3,438
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Oh, she's lovely, I have mine torts in indoor guinea pig cages too x
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Becci 1:2:0 Testudo Hermanni Boettgeri - Darwin, Galileo, and Einstein. Archimedes (THB) RIP June, 2018 |
19-05-2014, 02:34 AM | #9 |
Member
Egg
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 58
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19-05-2014, 05:41 AM | #10 | |
Member
Hatched
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Washington State, USA
Posts: 332
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Quote:
Do you have ACE hardware stores up there? Their topsoil brand is a favorite of many of us with tortoises in our area. Welcome!
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Lynne Horsfields 1.3.0 Ornate box turtle 0.1.0 Pacific NW, US |
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