I am currently moving my 2 tortoises from vivs to their own tortoise tables and was just wondering does my 8 month spur thigh still need a heat matt in a tortoise table I was advised to use one in the viv by the pet shop but as I am quickly learning do not trust pet shop advise

Please can someone help

Thanks

Chermaine

No, tortoises need their heat from above. They do need deep enough substrate to bury down into though to prevent dehydration. If pet shops told you they didn't need heat mats, their profits would go down. Pet shops should be banned from selling pets in my opinion :(

Thankyou for your help very very unhappy with pet shop the light fixing they had put into the viv that cost me £250 melted last night causing my baby tortoise to be without heat for 12 hours. When my husband returned it they didn't want to know.

Thanks again

Chermaine

What was the setup. If it melted and they had also sold you the wrong fitting (or similar) then they would have to replace or refund for selling something that was not only unfit for the purpose sold, but unsafe for your tortoise. Don't worry abou the lack of heat at this time of year (would be better outside anyway to be honest) for a short time, it will do no harm, but I would definitely get back to them. There is now some sort of order that says you have a duty to care, where animals are concerned and in the case of petshops, that includes selling the correct setups for the animals leaving their care. If you want to PM me, I will be happy to complain for you. The more these places are singled out, the sooner they just might take the selling of animals seriously.

Sue

wizzasmum@aol.com

Hi Chermaine
This was not only a hazard for your tort but a potential fire hazard for your home. I would tell them that you are going to take the fitting to the trading standards 08454 04 05 06. and actually do that whether they refund or not, as these need to be withdrawn from sale
Good Luck, let us know how you get on
Jane