Thank you thesmallpetshop for all the advice and useful tips! I am getting my Horsefields tortoise today and am very excited:) Thank you for being my tortoise helpline!!
Very good - it's nice to see someone who is well researched and passing that knowledge on. I love people who are kind to their pets by providing the most natural and healthy environment possible. Pets are not toys and yours looks really cute and properly looked after = a happy tortoise :). Great video.
Thank you so much! That is why I have done more videos of Sheldon recently. I searched tortoise videos on UA-cam and there isn't very many, also some of the videos were advising dangerous things for tortoises so I thought I would make my own :) Even if it helps a couple of people, there are a couple happier torts in the world :D
I love your videos and find them so helpful. I am getting a Hermanns tortoise in a few weeks hopefully and your videos have helped me so much with getting ready☺
I am getting a Herman's tortoise and I was wondering what lighting and heating you use for Sheldon? I am researching but cannot seem to find much. I want to make sure I have the best things my tortoise will need!
im new to tortoises and was wondering if I could keep a 2year old hermanns outside permanently and if so, what would I have to do to make it a suitable living area.
Check out this care sheet, it has a section on housing torts outside: www.tortoisetrust.org/Downloads/Taking_care_of_pet_tortoises_web.pdf I'm also hoping to make a video about it soon :)
Ill keep the Tortoise house in your video in mind.. I am trying to find an indoor enclosure for a tortoise, I am looking for something big and nice.. but seems to be hard to find tanks/enclosures for them.
It's funny because that also really put it in to perspective just how itty bitty he is! And that's how I feel about the bunnies! Hubby says it's time to cut the grass and I'm like, no wait let me put the bunnies out for a bit haha.
Great video, very informative and you have a really straight to the point way of explaining things. Some of the pet channels on here confuse the hell out of me and often get off topic. Subscribed! Looking forward to your other videos.
I think this has to be the best all round tortoise care video on youtube. You give so much accurate information. An absolute must see for any newbies or people who need to improve their husbandary. Well done!!!!! you should totally make it a video response to any other video you see with a poorly kept torty. P.S. your tortoise seems as full of beans as mine. Cute!! x
Hi, I know large enclosures can be really expensive to buy but you can always make your own, I have a handy friend who built me this one: ua-cam.com/video/oRPDLC2B4Lk/v-deo.html but it doesn't need to be as complicated if like me, you are a bit pants at DIY. Some people use an old bookcase, turn it on its back and take out the shelves. You can adapt all kinds of furniture, there are loads of ideas on Google and tortoise forums for inspiration :)
Thank you :) I got mine from Pet's Corner for £60 I think. I haven't hibernated him yet because I brought him home at the beginning of last winter and when I got him he was on a poor diet. I didn't want to hibernate him while I was changing him onto a healthy diet because hibernation can be dangerous and I wanted to make absolutely sure he was the right size and weight...
How to make a perfect habitat for a red eared slider turtle? Please help. Do they need to bask under uvb lights too? I've got a basking platform where it sits and dries up under the fan and sometimes under sunlight. Is drying out under the fan bad?
I don't have any experience with keeping red eared slider turtles so I am not the best person to give you advice on their care. They will need both heat and UVB lights though, without uv they can develop metabolic bone disease which is a horrible condition. You can look at websites online, there are turtle forums too so you can take a look at other peoples set ups and ask other keepers questions.
they have been shown to cause/contribute to respiratory infection (a good reason to never use pine bark chips for substrate too). Side wall height depends on tortoise size and substrate. That's what I've found from research so I think all in all it just depends what the wood is treated and/or sealed with :)
I'm getting a baby Horsefeild tortoise in 2 weeks, I was wondering if you had any recommendations on what bedding to use? I know what I can and cannot use but is their any other beddings except sand and soil you find very good?
Did you know that they no longer advice using play sand? Feeding of a slate tile helps keep beak trim. The largest log roll is very close to the side your tort could climb up and over the side.
Hi. We have just acquired a tortoise, amd are very new to them. We put her out in the garden this morning to bask in the sun. While out there i noticed she kept opening and closing her month, like a big yawn. Is this normal practise for them?
Hey! I have been thinking of cleaning my tortoise enclosure myself. (I've been taking my enclosure to the reptile shop I bought my tortoise from to clean it because they can clean it for you.) But the downside is that it costs a lot of money for something I can do myself now that I have watched this video. 👍 My one question is what do you use to sanitize or spray the enclosure with before you put the new substrate in? Thanks!!
Thanks very much for this - very useful. I have two questions - 1) Do you keep the substrate wet / damp? 2) how do you keep the temperature up inside his sleeping area? We don't like it too warn while we sleep - but that may be too cool for Arty. Thanks. Graham
Hiya, we use our central heating to get the right background temperature and her heat lamp to get the right basking temperature. If you have a really large enclosure or keep it in a cool area, you may need more than one lamp. Just make sure you have a warm and a cool end so Arty can move between the two to regulate his temperature. It depends on what species he is too as different torts need different environments. In regards to the substrate, I keep a humidity meter in Sheldon's enclosure to make sure it's not too dry or damp. I don't soak the soil as she doesn't need a humid environment but I lightly squirt it with a spray bottle a couple of times a week to prevent it from becoming too dusty. Thank you for watching. I hope this helps. The tortoise trust website has loads of tips too :)
I have watched your videos which have really helped me - thank you so much. I bought two Horsfield tortoises ten days ago from Basildon, and did no research prior to buying them, thinking I knew all there was to know as I had two when I was growing up who lived for 20 + years - in shoe boxes in the garage!!!! Unfortunately, I fell for the "You need the entire starter kit, vivarium, strip UVB lamp, red heat bulb etc..." So I am now stuck with a £139 Vivarium.... Since watching your video, I have purchased a lovely tortoise table and an outside run. We have named them Indie : Indiana Jones as he likes to explore, and the other is Timmy as he is very timid and spends 99% of the time with his head in the soil/sand mix. Timmy shows no interest in food, but Indie has a healthy appetite. Lollo Rosso, cucumber, radish, broccoli, dandelion leaves, daisies etc. I have a cuttle fish for their beaks which they seem to enjoy. I have placed flat slates under the heat lamp for them to bask in and also have a couple of tunnels, the same as Sheldon's. :) I keep the strip lamp on for approx. 12 hours per day. How long should I keep the basking lamp on for? The table is set up in my son's bedroom, so the temperature is a steady household temperature. I bathe them each morning in the bath and they are both having regular motions. I suppose I am just feeling a little out of my depth and just need some reassurance that I am doing the right thing. I think I might change the bulbs for 1 x D3 Arcadia - what do you suggest. I look forward to hearing from you. Kindest Hilary
Very cute setup..I have a pair of red eared sliders. They don't like to be in the water except their mealtime... all other time they love roaming in the house only. Running behind each other, fighting, climbing on the stuff lying on ground. Even at night they literally beg of me to take them in my bed while sleeping.
Hello Again! When feeding Timothy hay, does it have to be soaked in water or can it just be fed as is?! Thank you so much for all of your advice, really is very useful!
for substrate, I use the 'Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate, 24 qts." Is that okay? Sometimes it gets on the food and my sulcata tortoise eats it. I read online that a lot of people use it and it works for them, but others say it might expand in the stomach of tortoises. However, I also read if it expand properly it pass right thru the intensines and will pose no threat and most of the fibers are very tiny. (some are thin and stringy or in a thin/straight line) What do you think?
Its not bad because hes bigger but dip his food in water. He gets hydration and it stays clean. I have a russian tortoise and that what i do and he doesn't need a water bowl.
All the research I have done is tailored towards Mediterranean species so I can't really say when it comes to Sulcatas but according to the tortoise trust, a suitable substrate can be made by mixture of topsoil (loam) and soft (play) sand, this can be mixed in varying amounts depending on the natural habitat of the species. For tortoises from an arid environment, they recommend a 30/70 loam to sand mix and for humid habitats, around a 60/40 mix. They recommend a 50/50 mix for Mediterranean species. This substrate is easy to clean, safe and non flammable. I would personally consider something else if there is a danger of an intestinal blockage. Soil and sand is the most natural thing and it can be bought cheaply too, bonus! :) Here is some more info: www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/substrates.html www.tortoisetrust.org/care/csulcata.html
lavablood2014 All tortoises need access to a water bowl, not only to drink from but to help them to regulate their temperature. They also soak to keep themselves hydrated.
Thankyou :) I have done ALOT of research and I am pretty confident that I have what it takes to look after a tort! I will defenetly check that out! Thanks! :)
Hi there! I was wondering, is the calcium supplement the white thing Sheldon was munching on in his tortoise table? :D Also, could you maybe make a video on hibernation? Especially since you're from the UK, all the sources I find are mainly for an American year.
Could you help with examples of enclosures with Sulcatas please? I live in the UK and I am finding it hard to plan ahead for my Sully. I have plenty of time to make a bigger enclosure than I currently have.
You will need a much bigger setup with a Sulcata, they can easily get to 18 inches in length and 45kg, and have been known to reach a massive 2.5 feet carpace and a weight of 100kg. They are really strong too so you will need a really sturdy enclosure. They are from a different area of the world so they will have different housing, dietary and general care requirements to my species of tort. Try this web page: www.tortoisetrust.org/care/csulcata.html
I personally wouldn't because it's not very natural and I haven't heard of anyone else using it, I prefer to go for tried and tested substrates recommended by trusted organisations such as the tortoise trust. 50/50 top soil and play sand seems to be the only substrate for Mediterranean torts that there aren't issues with.
Afshan Shaikh She is a Hermann tortoise. She came from a small local pet shop but I would now always recommend adopting or finding a reputable breeder. I can always link you to tortoise rescues.
I do lots of research in my free time on all of my animals :) I think it is important because I have taken on the responsibility of looking after them and I want to make sure I look after them to the best of my ability :)
so if I was to build an outdoor enclosure from scratch (I think I have a clear idea of the ideal shape, size etc I'm going to build them...) what durable and safe materials should I do? like what wood do you recommend, any type of nails I can use to hold the materials together? as I hear people use stainless steel nails for birds as stainless steel is a safe type of nails to use... would that work for tortoises? I know I should be googling this myself but so far google isn't exactly helping and I often find it hard to trust google the tortoises I have are spur thighed tortoises, they used to have a rather big indoor home a few years ago but we moved house and now I am desparately thinking of making them an outdoor enclosure so they can enjoy the sunshine
Hiya, I just built Sheldon an outdoor enclosure and made a video about it here which may give you some ideas: ua-cam.com/video/adHD__LBM5U/v-deo.html I have seen lots of people using raised beds or a similar type of thing. You can build your own or buy pre-made ones from garden centres. I think Homebase have some reasonably priced ones (if you are in the UK). I have also seen lots of ideas on Pinterest which may help you. I'm not great at DIY haha but imagine you would have to use stainless steel nails for an outdoor enclosure as anything else would rust and any wood would need to be treated or it would rot away. We decided to build ours out of stone and bricks (just bits we had lying around), that way you can easily build any shape, height or size you want. Depends on budget and what you want in an enclosure really :)
We used to have three large tortoises living in the garden and when we would hang the clothes they would slowly come up to us and try eat our toes! We fed them ground beef though so perhaps we turned them into flesh-loving killers haha. Yours is so cute :)
It's difficult as getting a pet normally needs to be a family decission and tortoises live for such a long time that you'd need to have a plan for if you went away for school or holidays. They can also work out quite expensive over their lifetime. I think I would make a video or a presentation about tortoises with cute pictures and facts, save up a fund for equipment and future vet bills to show that you are committed to caring for it but also winning her over with cute pictures?
Asim M I bought it from a local pet shop with a reptile section, it is about 4 foot by 2 foot so is an okay size for a juvenile but will need upgrading soon. I have seen them online too, I believe I just searched 'tortoise table' :)
Hello! I'm getting a Hermann Tortoise soon and your video are really helping with the research I'm doing into making sure that I look after my tortoise as good as possible!!! So thank you for your awesome videos. I was also wondering could you tell me the name of the substrates you use again cause I can't seem to catch it in the video??? Thanks! 😊 x
My enclosure was bought from Pets Corner although I have seen the same ones online. Sheldon was bought from a small local pet shop before I knew about all the tortoise re-homing programmes from people like the tortoise trust and the tortoise protection group. Thank you :)
Thank you so much for the lovely comment :) I'm so glad you like it, I make sure to put a lot of reading and information into my care videos. Sheldon is definitely a feisty little man :) I have just found your diet video and I love how your tort came to you when you called him XD His outdoor enclosure is fab too, I am part way through building one for Sheldon :) x
Hiya, it's not a suitable bedding because it is dehydrating, it can also cause impaction if it is ingested. The best bedding is a mixture of top soil and play sand. It's natural, safe and cheap :)
I currently have a herman tortoise bowser, and i've been using woodchips but want to switch over to soil/sand mixture asap, how do you go about cleaning the soil if he wees in there or if its got wet from the water bowl, i had an old tortoise table on woodchips and although i cleaned him out regularly the wood still showed signs of rot, is there good ways to combat this any tips etc?
Yes, I would recommend switching to soil and sand, it's better suited to this species and is the most natural thing to use. I spot clean his enclosure daily so just pick out the soil he has pooped or peed on. I do the same with the water bowl, if the soil stays damp it can encourage bugs or mould so I just remove any soil that has been damp for a while. I make his soil/sand mix pretty deep (4 or 5 inches) so removing a bit daily doesn't made a difference :) The sand and soil substrate is really easy to maintain and shouldn't rot, go mouldy, smell ect as long as it is cleaned out fairly regularly. :)
TheSmallPetShop brilliant thank you! I've heard from other places too that you should water the soil to avoid dust? if so how often should that be lightly sprinkled, once a day? and ive also read somewhere you should use boiling water, it gave a me a mini headache reading all of it!
With the soil I use it takes a week or two to get dusty, you could mist it with a spray bottle and some water, but try not to make it too damp as it can potentially cause health issues and encourage bugs to move in. You shouldn't need to do it too often. I'm not too sure why boiling water. I know what you mean, there is so much information everywhere and all say different things! It can be really difficult to know what advice to follow, the Tortoise Trust is an amazing source :)
Isn't a golden greek tortoise a mediteranian tortoise? And where did you get that cage? One exactly like this would be perfect for my golden greek that i am getting for atleast a couple of years maybe. And would just a exo terra solar glo uv/heating murcery vapor bulb work for my golden greek?
Hi I thought I had a golden Greeks as well, I've had mine for a 1 1/2 yr. now they were as small as a match box when I got them now they are bigger than my hand , I've just managed to identify them today (Testudo graeca nabeulensis) with the help of Chris Leone he is an expert also keeper of Herman's and Greeks also the owner of (hermannihaven at garden state tortoise,) go to his amazing site as you have many different species of tortoises, I went on this great website they are so very helpful, I so do recommend its good to know what species your tortoise is as they all are different with different needs. BTW I use the terra 125w solar glow mercury bulb I believe its a good one its been great for mine they are healthy torts I also do not over do the calcium dust as it can cause pyramiding of the shell I really do not want that for them, so I don't use at all often about 12 times in one yr. that I've had them, I think they get enough off the cuttle fish when they need to. I have got lots of good tips off the smallpetshop videos but I am wondering how you managed to carry Sheldon's table outside into the garden mine weighs a Ton!
people recommend 6 foot X 6 foot so space is definitely important. I have come across a few websites that will custom build tortoise tables but they are usually very expensive. It might be worth giving building one a go :) I bought my table from a shop called Pets Corner for £60 but I have also seen them on ebay and amazon. I have been really pleased with mine, it's super easy to clean but it will need an upgrade soon. Hope this helps x
All my tortoise does is sleep I want him to be active and friendly also I have NO IDEA what my tortoises species is DAMN U PETCO all I know is that be is either an acid or Mediterranean tortoise he looks a lot like your tortoise also what is a good substrate
I have some concerning questions regarding my hermann's tortoise. It all started when I started bathing him less and less frequently, to the point where some might even call it neglectful. It ended up being that all I did for him was provide weeds and water, and little else. Lately though, I gave him another bath, and several things occurred to me. He hadn't defecated to my knowledge in several weeks, until I bathed him. Also, one of his legs seemed to be soiled black, with traces of excrement up in one of his armpits (legpits?). I had resolved to make an immediate change and get things more cleanly and orderly for him, but I'd like to know if it sounds like he's at any real health risk? He seems his usual self in nature, but I'm worried about the health issues this neglect of mine may have caused.
What are his faeces and urates like? From that you can tell a lot about his hydration, diet etc. The uric acid should be anything from watery to the consistency of toothpaste and his faeces should be firm, well formed and not contain undigested plant matter. It shouldn't be runny. If the uric acid is hard or gritty it can indicate dehydration and he will need soaking daily until it returns to normal. There are several potential risks of dehydration including renal damage so it is a very important part of their care. The lack of defecation could definitely be caused by dehydration, maybe take a look at this webpage on dehydration: www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/dehy.html Here are some links explaining about some of the common problems seen in tortoises: www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/shell-problems-for-tortoise-keepers.20451/ www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/commondisease.html www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/shellrot.html
TheSmallPetShop Based on your description, his feces seems to be okay. After a while it dries, but it initially firm with a wet-ish surface. I do provide water for him, but it usually ends up tipped out, somehow. I'm wondering if there's a way around that.
That sounds pretty good :) The only thing I could suggest would be a heavier water dish. The need access to fresh water so there's no real way around it, maybe just keep trying until you find one he can't tip over :/ Maybe if you half buried it in the substrate to make it more stable?
I have a tortoise and is a young one is it ok take it outside to the sun for a while then wet them for a while then tortoise sleep 😴 is it normal for them to sleep after finish bathing 😁
Yes, natural sunlight is good for tortoises as they absorb heat and light through their shells. Shallow baths are good for tortoises too to keep them hydrated :)
I have a small question, as I'm getting my Tortoise Shelby really soon, I want to know how much space would a Horsefield Tortoise need as a baby because I'm scared that I haven't given her enough space. And would I be able to use a glass virarium, though I'm going to use a bottom draw of my old dresser.
i am currently building a tortoise table... what are the dimensions of yours?? My baby tortoise is just a little smaller than Sheldon and i believe that these dimensions are great! :)
A pesticide and fertiliser free top soil, not a potting soil. There are lots of brands but I’ve only tried a couple of different ones. I’ve never had one that smells of anything other than damp soil, maybe I’ve been lucky.
Sorry if this has already been asked, but will you be bringing Sheldon inside for the winter months? I don't know much about torts as I'm a bunny mum! Lol
Hi Jen, he lives inside and I just brought his enclosure outside to clean it, it makes such a mess inside. He goes out to play in the garden and much on weeds on nice days and comes in at night, this way I know he is safe and can keep an eye on the temperatures in his enclosure. Providing he is the right weight and size for his age I am planning to hibernate him this winter so I will be making videos on that soon :)
Yes, you can adjust the ratio of soil and sand for different species :) For tortoises from an arid environment, the Tortoise Trust recommend a 30/70 top soil to sand mix and for humid habitats, around a 60/40 mix :)
I would personally avoid using anything that has been treated with any chemicals. I'm not sure in what way it would affect them but the soil gets heated up under the light and I don't know if it could give off fumes and sometimes tortoises accidentally eat some of the substrate and it can't be good for them if the happened to ingest some. I can't back any of this up with research because I've never come across any but better to be safe than sorry :)
I bought mine for £60 from a shop called Pets Corner but I would recommend building your own as then you can make it as big as you can, this is a good starter enclosure for small species of tortoises but would need to be upgraded as they get older. Tortoises need a lot of room for good bone density and general health :)
For the warm side use an heat emitter it only provides heat no light. I recommend one I use one. Or a nocturnal incadesent infrared bulb will work too it emmits heat and light but the light is red so reptiles can't see red light and it wont affect sleeping patterns. Both are very useful and recommended. Hope I helped u!
I personally have the heating on in my house to keep it a suitable temperature for him but that can be really expensive in the winter so it's not for everyone
Isla Bateson It really depends on the size of the enclosure, whether it is indoors and the type of bulb. Are you using a mercury vapour bulb or separate heat and UV bulbs, strip lights? Most people recommend a minimum of a 10,0 tube. I use a 100 watt mercury vapour bulb at the moment (the Arcadia D3) but I imagine I will have to upgrade to the 160w when I upgrade her table.
@thesmallpetshop hi really great video, a couple of questions (sorry!) 1 what is the name of the top soil and where did u get it from 2. Where did u get his water dish. Thanks a lot for ur time fantastic video, been watching u from the start and you have really improved! :-)
Great video which will help lots of beginners. 1 thing I disagree with you on is using bark. Bark is great for them. It keeps the heat down. I understand if we are talking about baby's but 1+ is fine. Mine is nearly 2 and he's fantastic with bark. Never had an issue but it's everyone to the own I guess haha. Great video though 👍
Thank you for watching :) I made a substrate video explaining a bit more about why I don't recommend other beddings but it also depends on species and all the research I have done is aimed at med species, specifically Hermanns. I use a lot of information from the tortoise trust and they have a good article here about substrates: www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/substrates.html Feel free to send me any links so I can look into it further, I try to research all my videos well before uploading. I'd hate to think I was putting across poor information. x
Thank you for your reply. That website really helped me out a lot. I have a Hermann tortoise and recently he's been put on dirt. The bark was getting stuck between his legs and shell xx
Love the video!! I just adopted a greek tortoise and your explanation really helps me understand their nature. Thanks Becky!
Thank you thesmallpetshop for all the advice and useful tips! I am getting my Horsefields tortoise today and am very excited:) Thank you for being my tortoise helpline!!
You're very welcome, good luck with the new addition to the family :)
Hello. Where did you get your tortoise table. I have two horsefields and from seeing your video their home might not be as big as I thought it was 😳
Very good - it's nice to see someone who is well researched and passing that knowledge on. I love people who are kind to their pets by providing the most natural and healthy environment possible. Pets are not toys and yours looks really cute and properly looked after = a happy tortoise :). Great video.
Thank you so much, this comment means so much to me! I try really hard to provide the best for all my animals and it's so lovely to hear nice feedback
Thank you so much! That is why I have done more videos of Sheldon recently. I searched tortoise videos on UA-cam and there isn't very many, also some of the videos were advising dangerous things for tortoises so I thought I would make my own :) Even if it helps a couple of people, there are a couple happier torts in the world :D
Thank you so much 🥰💗 god bless
I love your videos and find them so helpful. I am getting a Hermanns tortoise in a few weeks hopefully and your videos have helped me so much with getting ready☺
I am getting a Herman's tortoise and I was wondering what lighting and heating you use for Sheldon? I am researching but cannot seem to find much. I want to make sure I have the best things my tortoise will need!
im new to tortoises and was wondering if I could keep a 2year old hermanns outside permanently and if so, what would I have to do to make it a suitable living area.
Check out this care sheet, it has a section on housing torts outside: www.tortoisetrust.org/Downloads/Taking_care_of_pet_tortoises_web.pdf I'm also hoping to make a video about it soon :)
I like seeing the tort chilling in the grassed in fence area hehe
Ill keep the Tortoise house in your video in mind.. I am trying to find an indoor enclosure for a tortoise, I am looking for something big and nice.. but seems to be hard to find tanks/enclosures for them.
I have a Hermann tortoise called Sheldon too! He's only just over 1 year :-) looks like mine has a similar set up to yours x
It's funny because that also really put it in to perspective just how itty bitty he is! And that's how I feel about the bunnies! Hubby says it's time to cut the grass and I'm like, no wait let me put the bunnies out for a bit haha.
Love the tortoise eating in background as you filled the top soil. I have a Russian and a Leopard Tortoise and I love them.
Great video, very informative and you have a really straight to the point way of explaining things. Some of the pet channels on here confuse the hell out of me and often get off topic. Subscribed! Looking forward to your other videos.
Thank you so much, I'm so glad you found it useful :)
How often do you change the terrarium? Also, did you build the terrarium? And what was that thing that you poured into the terrarium after the soil?
I think this has to be the best all round tortoise care video on youtube. You give so much accurate information. An absolute must see for any newbies or people who need to improve their husbandary. Well done!!!!! you should totally make it a video response to any other video you see with a poorly kept torty. P.S. your tortoise seems as full of beans as mine. Cute!! x
My tortoise has gotten huge since I got him. He still has the same enclosure as when he got it because they are soooo expensive! Any recommendations?
Hi, I know large enclosures can be really expensive to buy but you can always make your own, I have a handy friend who built me this one: ua-cam.com/video/oRPDLC2B4Lk/v-deo.html but it doesn't need to be as complicated if like me, you are a bit pants at DIY. Some people use an old bookcase, turn it on its back and take out the shelves. You can adapt all kinds of furniture, there are loads of ideas on Google and tortoise forums for inspiration :)
Thank you :) I got mine from Pet's Corner for £60 I think. I haven't hibernated him yet because I brought him home at the beginning of last winter and when I got him he was on a poor diet. I didn't want to hibernate him while I was changing him onto a healthy diet because hibernation can be dangerous and I wanted to make absolutely sure he was the right size and weight...
How to make a perfect habitat for a red eared slider turtle? Please help.
Do they need to bask under uvb lights too? I've got a basking platform where it sits and dries up under the fan and sometimes under sunlight. Is drying out under the fan bad?
I don't have any experience with keeping red eared slider turtles so I am not the best person to give you advice on their care. They will need both heat and UVB lights though, without uv they can develop metabolic bone disease which is a horrible condition. You can look at websites online, there are turtle forums too so you can take a look at other peoples set ups and ask other keepers questions.
TheSmallPetShop thank you so much. And yes, your tortoise is super cute and so are you! ;)
they have been shown to cause/contribute to respiratory infection (a good reason to never use pine bark chips for substrate too).
Side wall height depends on tortoise size and substrate.
That's what I've found from research so I think all in all it just depends what the wood is treated and/or sealed with :)
I'm getting a baby Horsefeild tortoise in 2 weeks, I was wondering if you had any recommendations on what bedding to use? I know what I can and cannot use but is their any other beddings except sand and soil you find very good?
Did you know that they no longer advice using play sand?
Feeding of a slate tile helps keep beak trim. The largest log roll is very close to the side your tort could climb up and over the side.
How do you know all this stuff? Free-time research or school or how, haha?
Do you know if treated wood is safe to use when building a tortoise table, your advice is really helpful:) thanks
Hi. We have just acquired a tortoise, amd are very new to them. We put her out in the garden this morning to bask in the sun. While out there i noticed she kept opening and closing her month, like a big yawn. Is this normal practise for them?
Hey! I have been thinking of cleaning my tortoise enclosure myself. (I've been taking my enclosure to the reptile shop I bought my tortoise from to clean it because they can clean it for you.) But the downside is that it costs a lot of money for something I can do myself now that I have watched this video. 👍 My one question is what do you use to sanitize or spray the enclosure with before you put the new substrate in? Thanks!!
Hey! I was wondering if you could do some more videos on your tortoise. I'm looking into getting one.
Thanks very much for this - very useful. I have two questions - 1) Do you keep the substrate wet / damp? 2) how do you keep the temperature up inside his sleeping area? We don't like it too warn while we sleep - but that may be too cool for Arty. Thanks. Graham
Hiya, we use our central heating to get the right background temperature and her heat lamp to get the right basking temperature. If you have a really large enclosure or keep it in a cool area, you may need more than one lamp. Just make sure you have a warm and a cool end so Arty can move between the two to regulate his temperature. It depends on what species he is too as different torts need different environments. In regards to the substrate, I keep a humidity meter in Sheldon's enclosure to make sure it's not too dry or damp. I don't soak the soil as she doesn't need a humid environment but I lightly squirt it with a spray bottle a couple of times a week to prevent it from becoming too dusty. Thank you for watching. I hope this helps. The tortoise trust website has loads of tips too :)
Could you do a video on different tortoise breeds?
how big was this table? and when he gets larger what size will the table u get be? is this 36x18"
I have watched your videos which have really helped me - thank you so much. I bought two Horsfield tortoises ten days ago from Basildon, and did no research prior to buying them, thinking I knew all there was to know as I had two when I was growing up who lived for 20 + years - in shoe boxes in the garage!!!!
Unfortunately, I fell for the "You need the entire starter kit, vivarium, strip UVB lamp, red heat bulb etc..." So I am now stuck with a £139 Vivarium.... Since watching your video, I have purchased a lovely tortoise table and an outside run. We have named them Indie : Indiana Jones as he likes to explore, and the other is Timmy as he is very timid and spends 99% of the time with his head in the soil/sand mix. Timmy shows no interest in food, but Indie has a healthy appetite. Lollo Rosso, cucumber, radish, broccoli, dandelion leaves, daisies etc. I have a cuttle fish for their beaks which they seem to enjoy. I have placed flat slates under the heat lamp for them to bask in and also have a couple of tunnels, the same as Sheldon's. :)
I keep the strip lamp on for approx. 12 hours per day. How long should I keep the basking lamp on for? The table is set up in my son's bedroom, so the temperature is a steady household temperature.
I bathe them each morning in the bath and they are both having regular motions.
I suppose I am just feeling a little out of my depth and just need some reassurance that I am doing the right thing. I think I might change the bulbs for 1 x D3 Arcadia - what do you suggest.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kindest
Hilary
Very cute setup..I have a pair of red eared sliders. They don't like to be in the water except their mealtime... all other time they love roaming in the house only. Running behind each other, fighting, climbing on the stuff lying on ground. Even at night they literally beg of me to take them in my bed while sleeping.
what kind of cuttlebone is that? I've never seen a tortoise so eager to chomp on one of those--can you make a recommendation?
It's just a regular cuttlefish from the bird section in my local pet shop. Sheldon will ignore it for ages and then go to town on it haha :)
Nice areangment...
Impressed from your love for aminals...
I have also pet a turtle and like to do lot and more for him...
Hello Again!
When feeding Timothy hay, does it have to be soaked in water or can it just be fed as is?! Thank you so much for all of your advice, really is very useful!
hi thnx for your amazing video and i've a question i read about tortoise drinking water, it says tortoise can get water with their tales is it right?
I believe they soak up water from both their mouth and their bum, it's why they need a shallow dish of water to soak themselves in :)
for substrate, I use the 'Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate, 24 qts." Is that okay? Sometimes it gets on the food and my sulcata tortoise eats it. I read online that a lot of people use it and it works for them, but others say it might expand in the stomach of tortoises. However, I also read if it expand properly it pass right thru the intensines and will pose no threat and most of the fibers are very tiny. (some are thin and stringy or in a thin/straight line) What do you think?
Its not bad because hes bigger but dip his food in water. He gets hydration and it stays clean. I have a russian tortoise and that what i do and he doesn't need a water bowl.
All the research I have done is tailored towards Mediterranean species so I can't really say when it comes to Sulcatas but according to the tortoise trust, a suitable substrate can be made by mixture of topsoil (loam) and soft (play) sand, this can be mixed in varying amounts depending on the natural habitat of the species. For tortoises from an arid environment, they recommend a 30/70 loam to sand mix and for humid habitats, around a 60/40 mix. They recommend a 50/50 mix for Mediterranean species. This substrate is easy to clean, safe and non flammable. I would personally consider something else if there is a danger of an intestinal blockage. Soil and sand is the most natural thing and it can be bought cheaply too, bonus! :) Here is some more info: www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/substrates.html
www.tortoisetrust.org/care/csulcata.html
lavablood2014 All tortoises need access to a water bowl, not only to drink from but to help them to regulate their temperature. They also soak to keep themselves hydrated.
Care can always be tailored towards what works best for your tort, I'm glad you have found something that works for her :)
Thankyou :) I have done ALOT of research and I am pretty confident that I have what it takes to look after a tort! I will defenetly check that out! Thanks! :)
Hi there! I was wondering, is the calcium supplement the white thing Sheldon was munching on in his tortoise table? :D
Also, could you maybe make a video on hibernation? Especially since you're from the UK, all the sources I find are mainly for an American year.
I couldn't help but stare at the little tortoise walking around on the left side at 2:32
Could you help with examples of enclosures with Sulcatas please? I live in the UK and I am finding it hard to plan ahead for my Sully. I have plenty of time to make a bigger enclosure than I currently have.
You will need a much bigger setup with a Sulcata, they can easily get to 18 inches in length and 45kg, and have been known to reach a massive 2.5 feet carpace and a weight of 100kg. They are really strong too so you will need a really sturdy enclosure. They are from a different area of the world so they will have different housing, dietary and general care requirements to my species of tort. Try this web page: www.tortoisetrust.org/care/csulcata.html
Can you use astro turff for a substrate so it's less messy and use soil at the basking area?
I personally wouldn't because it's not very natural and I haven't heard of anyone else using it, I prefer to go for tried and tested substrates recommended by trusted organisations such as the tortoise trust. 50/50 top soil and play sand seems to be the only substrate for Mediterranean torts that there aren't issues with.
which tortoise is on 5:41 ??? where did you buy it from???
Afshan Shaikh She is a Hermann tortoise. She came from a small local pet shop but I would now always recommend adopting or finding a reputable breeder. I can always link you to tortoise rescues.
I do lots of research in my free time on all of my animals :) I think it is important because I have taken on the responsibility of looking after them and I want to make sure I look after them to the best of my ability :)
Also where did you get your tortoise table??☺
Crazy Thistle I think she made it
will top soil cause fungus overtime?
What substrate do you use?! Also do you know if you can use treated wood for building a tortoise table?!
so if I was to build an outdoor enclosure from scratch (I think I have a clear idea of the ideal shape, size etc I'm going to build them...) what durable and safe materials should I do? like what wood do you recommend, any type of nails I can use to hold the materials together? as I hear people use stainless steel nails for birds as stainless steel is a safe type of nails to use... would that work for tortoises? I know I should be googling this myself but so far google isn't exactly helping and I often find it hard to trust google
the tortoises I have are spur thighed tortoises, they used to have a rather big indoor home a few years ago but we moved house and now I am desparately thinking of making them an outdoor enclosure so they can enjoy the sunshine
Hiya, I just built Sheldon an outdoor enclosure and made a video about it here which may give you some ideas: ua-cam.com/video/adHD__LBM5U/v-deo.html
I have seen lots of people using raised beds or a similar type of thing. You can build your own or buy pre-made ones from garden centres. I think Homebase have some reasonably priced ones (if you are in the UK). I have also seen lots of ideas on Pinterest which may help you. I'm not great at DIY haha but imagine you would have to use stainless steel nails for an outdoor enclosure as anything else would rust and any wood would need to be treated or it would rot away. We decided to build ours out of stone and bricks (just bits we had lying around), that way you can easily build any shape, height or size you want. Depends on budget and what you want in an enclosure really :)
Do you hibernate your tortoise? I decided not to hibernate mine so do i just keep on doing what I normally do?
We used to have three large tortoises living in the garden and when we would hang the clothes they would slowly come up to us and try eat our toes! We fed them ground beef though so perhaps we turned them into flesh-loving killers haha. Yours is so cute :)
Hi, do you know how to make my mum get me a hermanns tortoise ? I've really wanted one for a few years!
It's difficult as getting a pet normally needs to be a family decission and tortoises live for such a long time that you'd need to have a plan for if you went away for school or holidays. They can also work out quite expensive over their lifetime. I think I would make a video or a presentation about tortoises with cute pictures and facts, save up a fund for equipment and future vet bills to show that you are committed to caring for it but also winning her over with cute pictures?
Hi, I was wondering where you got the enclosure and if it was handmade, can you tell me the measurements? Thanks
Asim M I bought it from a local pet shop with a reptile section, it is about 4 foot by 2 foot so is an okay size for a juvenile but will need upgrading soon. I have seen them online too, I believe I just searched 'tortoise table' :)
I love the beware of tortoise sign . I'll see if they sell them on Amazon. My herman tortoise burrows in her cave by her heat mat 👍🤣
Hello!
I'm getting a Hermann Tortoise soon and your video are really helping with the research I'm doing into making sure that I look after my tortoise as good as possible!!! So thank you for your awesome videos.
I was also wondering could you tell me the name of the substrates you use again cause I can't seem to catch it in the video???
Thanks! 😊 x
Where did u get ur enclosure and tortoise? Gret vid
My enclosure was bought from Pets Corner although I have seen the same ones online. Sheldon was bought from a small local pet shop before I knew about all the tortoise re-homing programmes from people like the tortoise trust and the tortoise protection group. Thank you :)
Any recommendations on table size or do you have any places where I could buy a good sized one for a Hermann.
Awesome :) How big is he? I got Sheldon at 2 years old, is he tiny? :)
this video is very informative and Sheldon is adorable. I love how you take care of your animals :D what are the two names of substrates you use?
Thank you so much :) I use top soil and children's play sand :)
Thank you so much for the lovely comment :) I'm so glad you like it, I make sure to put a lot of reading and information into my care videos. Sheldon is definitely a feisty little man :) I have just found your diet video and I love how your tort came to you when you called him XD His outdoor enclosure is fab too, I am part way through building one for Sheldon :) x
I was wondering if shredded aspen bedding is ok for Mediterranean tortoises
Hiya, it's not a suitable bedding because it is dehydrating, it can also cause impaction if it is ingested. The best bedding is a mixture of top soil and play sand. It's natural, safe and cheap :)
+TheSmallPetShop ok thanks so much I'll get as soon as possible:)
+Lucy spencer chihuahua yy👆👊👊👊👊👊👊
+Lucy spencer chihuahua yy👆👊👊👊👊👊👊
I currently have a herman tortoise bowser, and i've been using woodchips but want to switch over to soil/sand mixture asap, how do you go about cleaning the soil if he wees in there or if its got wet from the water bowl, i had an old tortoise table on woodchips and although i cleaned him out regularly the wood still showed signs of rot, is there good ways to combat this any tips etc?
Yes, I would recommend switching to soil and sand, it's better suited to this species and is the most natural thing to use. I spot clean his enclosure daily so just pick out the soil he has pooped or peed on. I do the same with the water bowl, if the soil stays damp it can encourage bugs or mould so I just remove any soil that has been damp for a while. I make his soil/sand mix pretty deep (4 or 5 inches) so removing a bit daily doesn't made a difference :) The sand and soil substrate is really easy to maintain and shouldn't rot, go mouldy, smell ect as long as it is cleaned out fairly regularly. :)
TheSmallPetShop brilliant thank you! I've heard from other places too that you should water the soil to avoid dust? if so how often should that be lightly sprinkled, once a day? and ive also read somewhere you should use boiling water, it gave a me a mini headache reading all of it!
With the soil I use it takes a week or two to get dusty, you could mist it with a spray bottle and some water, but try not to make it too damp as it can potentially cause health issues and encourage bugs to move in. You shouldn't need to do it too often. I'm not too sure why boiling water. I know what you mean, there is so much information everywhere and all say different things! It can be really difficult to know what advice to follow, the Tortoise Trust is an amazing source :)
What a lucky and happy guy : D
Do you need a night bulb for sulcata tortoises?
+GinaChins Don'tLie You need a UV bulb for their shells, and a heat lamp for 12 hours on and 12 hours off.
asiankid512 -.- if there out in the sun a lot like everyday he she should be fine
Isn't a golden greek tortoise a mediteranian tortoise? And where did you get that cage? One exactly like this would be perfect for my golden greek that i am getting for atleast a couple of years maybe. And would just a exo terra solar glo uv/heating murcery vapor bulb work for my golden greek?
Hi I thought I had a golden Greeks as well, I've had mine for a 1 1/2 yr. now they were as small as a match box when I got them now they are bigger than my hand , I've just managed to identify them today
(Testudo graeca nabeulensis) with the help of Chris Leone he is an expert also keeper of Herman's and Greeks also the owner of (hermannihaven at garden state tortoise,) go to his amazing site as you have many different species of tortoises, I went on this great website they are so very helpful, I so do recommend its good to know what species your tortoise is as they all are different with different needs. BTW I use the terra 125w solar glow mercury bulb I believe its a good one its been great for mine they are healthy torts I also do not over do the calcium dust as it can cause pyramiding of the shell I really do not want that for them, so I don't use at all often about 12 times in one yr. that I've had them, I think they get enough off the cuttle fish when they need to. I have got lots of good tips off the smallpetshop videos but I am wondering how you managed to carry Sheldon's table outside into the garden mine weighs a Ton!
I'm from India,I have a turtle, from where did u get that solid rock from which website,can u guide plz. He is 1 year old.
people recommend 6 foot X 6 foot so space is definitely important. I have come across a few websites that will custom build tortoise tables but they are usually very expensive. It might be worth giving building one a go :) I bought my table from a shop called Pets Corner for £60 but I have also seen them on ebay and amazon. I have been really pleased with mine, it's super easy to clean but it will need an upgrade soon. Hope this helps x
What are the dimensions of the enclosure and how often do you change the bedding
is it necessary to put a mixture of top soil and clay
All my tortoise does is sleep I want him to be active and friendly also I have NO IDEA what my tortoises species is DAMN U PETCO all I know is that be is either an acid or Mediterranean tortoise he looks a lot like your tortoise also what is a good substrate
Thank you so much I’ve been thinking of getting a tortoise!
Also is fertilized soil alright to use, will it affect the tortoise?! Your advice would be much appreciated:)
I love your animals so much
Pleas can you do a video for beginners on owning a tortoise I'm getting one and I'm not Sure on what To buy before I get him
I have some concerning questions regarding my hermann's tortoise.
It all started when I started bathing him less and less frequently, to the point where some might even call it neglectful. It ended up being that all I did for him was provide weeds and water, and little else.
Lately though, I gave him another bath, and several things occurred to me. He hadn't defecated to my knowledge in several weeks, until I bathed him. Also, one of his legs seemed to be soiled black, with traces of excrement up in one of his armpits (legpits?).
I had resolved to make an immediate change and get things more cleanly and orderly for him, but I'd like to know if it sounds like he's at any real health risk? He seems his usual self in nature, but I'm worried about the health issues this neglect of mine may have caused.
U NEED TO BRING HIM TO A VET!
Shiny Hunter pokemans
I went to, but none of my local vets have any understanding of reptiles.
What do you think the risks are?
What are his faeces and urates like? From that you can tell a lot about his hydration, diet etc. The uric acid should be anything from watery to the consistency of toothpaste and his faeces should be firm, well formed and not contain undigested plant matter. It shouldn't be runny. If the uric acid is hard or gritty it can indicate dehydration and he will need soaking daily until it returns to normal. There are several potential risks of dehydration including renal damage so it is a very important part of their care.
The lack of defecation could definitely be caused by dehydration, maybe take a look at this webpage on dehydration: www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/dehy.html
Here are some links explaining about some of the common problems seen in tortoises:
www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/shell-problems-for-tortoise-keepers.20451/
www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/commondisease.html
www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/shellrot.html
TheSmallPetShop
Based on your description, his feces seems to be okay. After a while it dries, but it initially firm with a wet-ish surface.
I do provide water for him, but it usually ends up tipped out, somehow. I'm wondering if there's a way around that.
That sounds pretty good :) The only thing I could suggest would be a heavier water dish. The need access to fresh water so there's no real way around it, maybe just keep trying until you find one he can't tip over :/ Maybe if you half buried it in the substrate to make it more stable?
I have a tortoise and is a young one is it ok take it outside to the sun for a while then wet them for a while then tortoise sleep 😴 is it normal for them to sleep after finish bathing 😁
Yes, natural sunlight is good for tortoises as they absorb heat and light through their shells. Shallow baths are good for tortoises too to keep them hydrated :)
Is Aspen a good bedding?
I have a small question, as I'm getting my Tortoise Shelby really soon, I want to know how much space would a Horsefield Tortoise need as a baby because I'm scared that I haven't given her enough space. And would I be able to use a glass virarium, though I'm going to use a bottom draw of my old dresser.
StillHere Now The minimum for a baby is 2 foot by 4 foot although this will need to be upgraded when she grows. Bigger is always better though :)
okay thank you!
What top soil do you use please?
what is that white rock thing that the tortoise in the beggining was eating?
Dallas And Zero I think it was a calcium block to trim his beak area or mouth
i am currently building a tortoise table... what are the dimensions of yours?? My baby tortoise is just a little smaller than Sheldon and i believe that these dimensions are great! :)
How often do you change the bedding
Woooooow! That would be a ridiculous amount of cleaning, how did you keep up? I struggle with 10 :D
Thank you so much and VERY informative video.Getting one for my daughter, You have offered sound advice.
You're very welcome :) I'm so glad you found it useful x
How often do you redo his sand and soil? xx
Every 3 weeks or so, I also spot clean every day (Pick out the soiled bedding) x
What kind of topsoil exactly? Every one I know I'll of smells horrible... I'm going to use a mix. Just got 2 tortoises today
A pesticide and fertiliser free top soil, not a potting soil. There are lots of brands but I’ve only tried a couple of different ones. I’ve never had one that smells of anything other than damp soil, maybe I’ve been lucky.
Sorry if this has already been asked, but will you be bringing Sheldon inside for the winter months? I don't know much about torts as I'm a bunny mum! Lol
Hi Jen, he lives inside and I just brought his enclosure outside to clean it, it makes such a mess inside. He goes out to play in the garden and much on weeds on nice days and comes in at night, this way I know he is safe and can keep an eye on the temperatures in his enclosure. Providing he is the right weight and size for his age I am planning to hibernate him this winter so I will be making videos on that soon :)
Do you think I can use the same soil for a sulcata tortoise?
Yes, you can adjust the ratio of soil and sand for different species :) For tortoises from an arid environment, the Tortoise Trust recommend a 30/70 top soil to sand mix and for humid habitats, around a 60/40 mix :)
what sort of editor do you use for your intro? good video by the way!
Thank you, my friend actually made the into for me on him mac so maybe imovie? I edit on Vegas Pro 9.0 :)
cool thanks!!
I would personally avoid using anything that has been treated with any chemicals. I'm not sure in what way it would affect them but the soil gets heated up under the light and I don't know if it could give off fumes and sometimes tortoises accidentally eat some of the substrate and it can't be good for them if the happened to ingest some. I can't back any of this up with research because I've never come across any but better to be safe than sorry :)
Oh top soil ok lol but should I put the playsand on the bottom or on the top
Mons Gaming mix it up
Where did you buy your tortoise home ? because I am thinking about getting one or build one myself :)
I bought mine for £60 from a shop called Pets Corner but I would recommend building your own as then you can make it as big as you can, this is a good starter enclosure for small species of tortoises but would need to be upgraded as they get older. Tortoises need a lot of room for good bone density and general health :)
What topsoil do you use? Mine tends to clump.
use your yard and your shovel long as u dont use chemicals in your yard.
How often do you find you have to change the substrate and clean the enclosure?
+Robert Paylor (roberto640) I spot clean daily or as needed, I only do a full substrate change every 3 weeks :)
At night when it's cold, what should i use to keep it warm?
For the warm side use an heat emitter it only provides heat no light. I recommend one I use one.
Or a nocturnal incadesent infrared bulb will work too it emmits heat and light but the light is red so reptiles can't see red light and it wont affect sleeping patterns.
Both are very useful and recommended. Hope I helped u!
I personally have the heating on in my house to keep it a suitable temperature for him but that can be really expensive in the winter so it's not for everyone
How many watts do you recommend for the uvb bulb?
Isla Bateson It really depends on the size of the enclosure, whether it is indoors and the type of bulb. Are you using a mercury vapour bulb or separate heat and UV bulbs, strip lights? Most people recommend a minimum of a 10,0 tube. I use a 100 watt mercury vapour bulb at the moment (the Arcadia D3) but I imagine I will have to upgrade to the 160w when I upgrade her table.
Okay thankyou so much for yor help
Isla Bateson Thank you so much :)
Can you tell me how you made this home ??
Does this apply to Greek tortoises too? :)
@thesmallpetshop hi really great video, a couple of questions (sorry!)
1 what is the name of the top soil and where did u get it from
2. Where did u get his water dish.
Thanks a lot for ur time fantastic video, been watching u from the start and you have really improved! :-)
Great video which will help lots of beginners. 1 thing I disagree with you on is using bark. Bark is great for them. It keeps the heat down. I understand if we are talking about baby's but 1+ is fine. Mine is nearly 2 and he's fantastic with bark. Never had an issue but it's everyone to the own I guess haha. Great video though 👍
Thank you for watching :) I made a substrate video explaining a bit more about why I don't recommend other beddings but it also depends on species and all the research I have done is aimed at med species, specifically Hermanns. I use a lot of information from the tortoise trust and they have a good article here about substrates: www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/substrates.html
Feel free to send me any links so I can look into it further, I try to research all my videos well before uploading. I'd hate to think I was putting across poor information. x
Thank you for your reply. That website really helped me out a lot. I have a Hermann tortoise and recently he's been put on dirt. The bark was getting stuck between his legs and shell xx