Hi there,

I am new to this site and to keeping tortoises.  Have been reading with interest and have been looking forward to having our tortoise for a long time now.

Firstly, we were thinking of getting either a tortoise table or rabbit cage though have seen a vivarium for sale which looks great as has lots of ventilation at the back, high wooden front (4") and the glass above is removable so wouldn't use the glass. 

Still searching for a local breeder and having no luck.  We are on the Essex/Herts border, don't want to travel too far as we have young children.

Hope to get to know you and hoping for some tips and help!

Thanks for reading,

Angelina

Hi Angelina, and welcome to the TPG! It is great that you are doing your research before you get your tortoise (so many don't and then end up with problems and big vet bills).

Regarding accommodation -- even the nicest vivarium with lots of ventilation is not suitable for most tortoises for several reasons. Because vivariums are designed for snakes and lizards etc., they tend to be high sided with not that much floor space, and torts need lots of floor space. Also even with the best ventilation, it is difficult to get a good temperature gradient in a vivarium. Torts need to thermoregulate (to move from warm to cool areas to adjust their body temperatures), so you want a temperature of about 30C at one end and about 20C at the other end, and in a vivarium this is very difficult to achieve. Also, unless the ventilation is really, really good, the atmosphere will probably be too humid for most tortoises in a vivarium.

The best indoor enclosure for a tortoise is a tortoise table (you can easily make one using an old set of book shelves, flipped on its back with the shelves taken out, or the very large rabbit cages are good too). These allow excellent ventilation, the right humidity, and good floor space.

Of course your tortoise needs to be outdoors as much as possible when the weather is decent, so you need to think about outdoor enclosures too. The UVB from the sun (which is vital for making strong shell and bone) is far better than any UVB lamp you can buy -- but of course you will need UVB for your indoor enclosure.

Have a look at our Photo Gallery for examples of indoor and outdoor enclosures, and also have a good read of our care sheets (under The Tortoise in the left-hand column on this page). Start by looking at the care sheets for Hermanns, Ibera, and Horsfield, as these are the most commonly kept species, and do ask any questions on the forum -- we're really friendly people and no question is too small!

Well done for wanting to buy from a breeder! Have you checked out our list of recommended breeders -- click on Buying a Tortoise in the left-hand column, and then on UK Breeders. Some breeders might well be willing to meet you half way, so that you don't have to travel too far.

I hope this helps, but do get back to us with any questions, and I hope you can find a lovely tortoise to raise.

Nina

Hi Angelina and

I can't beat Nina's reply to you it's full of excellent information.  I wish you luck in finding your new tortoise in the very near future.  If you need any advice in helping get set up - just ask away and we'll help you where we can.

Helen

Thanks Nina and thanks for all the info!  We are now decided on a tortoise table though neither of us very handy nor do we have any old shelves!  Still searching around for ideas.  There are quite a few on ebay though not sure what's the best one.

Please can you tell me in simple terms the lighting we need and also how do we clip them on to the table?

Have ordered AC Highfields book so will have a good read when it arrives.  Husband is busy planning the outdoor inclosure and have brought lots of tort friendly seeds to plant.

Lots to think about...

Angelina

Thanks Helen and hello!

Hi Angelina
You will see my name pop up lots of time, as I ask the dear people of TPG site lots of questions and concerns. You will never feel alone being a member of this site as someone is always here to help and they never make you feel silly or that you are over anxious.
Look forward to learning from you too
Jane

Hi Angelina,

Good to hear from you

I tend to use these:-

http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/mega-160w-mercury-vapour-lamp-p-127.html

These lamps provide both heat,  to warm a tortoise so that it can become active, diegst food etc., and the UVB, from which a tortoise extracts the vitamin D3 to synthesize calcium into shell and bone growth. They are also available in 100w for smaller enclosures. It's recommended they aren't fixed on the side of an enclosure, but rather susupended from above. A tortoise is equipped to deal with harmful rays from these lamps (& the sun) when sourced from directly above. If the lamp is fitted to the side of an enclosure the harmful rays shine directly into both a tortoise's eyes and your own and are far more beneficial if suspended directly from above as all the rays are directed towards the basking area.

You'll also need a lamp holder:-

http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/lighting-bulb-holders-c-24_27.html

HTH
Darren

Would that be all the heating and lighting I'd need? 

Also how do I suspend it or would the lamp holder do that?  Bit confused!

Sorry to be asking you all these questions!

HI Angelina,

If you get a small rabbit/guinea pig enclosure (the larger size 1.3m) the lamp can be suspended from the inside of the cage as in the photo in the indoor enclosures album:-

http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/58.asp

If not then you'd have to bulid some form of framework to suspend the lamp from.

The one in the previous link is a complete lighting system, rather than using a UVB tube and a heat lamp. You won't require any other form of lighting. As long as the enclosure is indoors, and not in an out-building the room temperature will suffice at night-time

HTH
Darren

Hi Angelina

Another option for suspending the lamp is a lamp stand - you can see them on Kimbos site here

http://www.kimbosreptileworld.co.uk/lighting-c-24.html

I have one of these, and have been really pleased with it - they are adjustable in both height and reach, and are very stable - the foot of the stand slides under the tort table so there is no danger of it toppling over.  I think with a 100w bulb you would be better with the large version (this is what I have), but if you contact Darren at Kimbos, he will be happy to advise.

HTH

Arlene TPG