Hi this is Ben and I have just got a new Horsfield tortoise called Bobby. He is great and is feeding well at the moment and I am enjoying getting to know him.  He has settled in very well and was very shy to start with but has become alot more confident over the last few days.

COOL TORT!

Hi,

Funky tortoise where did you get the name Bobby?

lisa

Hi,

Thanks for your reply! I called him Bobby as we dont know whether it is a boy or a girl?

Ben

Thats Interesting , he looks like a boy to me!

Lisa

Hi Ben your tort looks great.  Can you tell me what the substrate is you are using, I dont recognise it!  I think most of us on here use sand and soil mixed (50/50), to try and replicate the wild!

Also what is the temp reading under the lamp?  Try to aim for about 35C, you can achieve this by lowering the basking lamp down so that it hangs directly down over Bobby.

Here is a link to the Horsfield care sheet you might find helpful, http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/87.asp

Regards Vivienne

Hi thanks for your reply!

The substrate is tortoise straw bedding and the man said it was good as they could burrow into it and also if they ate it, it would not do them any harm. 

Thanks for your advice.

Ben

Hi Ben

Ive never heard of Tortoise Straw bedding - these look like some sort of pellet to me, which if ingested, could swell up and cause a real problem to the tortoise.  Russian torts like to burrow and dig, the best and most healthy substrate for your tort is a mix of topsoil and playsand - you can get both of these from B&Q etc for around £5 for both.  Please get rid of the pellets and replace with the sand/soil mix, he will be much happier!

atb

Arlene TPG

Its a nice fellow and have you personaly bred him?

Lisa

Hi,

I have know built a brand new tortoise table, and replaced the straw bedding with soil, thanks for the expert advice.

ben

He likes the soil too!

Hi,

Bobby is starting to dig up early and fall asleep early , and wakes up at night, is this good?

ben

Hi Ben, this isn't anything to worry about, poor torts are all over the place with this cold weather.  Just double check your temperatures under the lamp, as the soil may take a little longer to warm  up, aim for a temp of 35C under the lamp and 20 in the other areas, you can do this by highering or lowering the lamp.  Also, put the lights on and off  at the same times of the day, and get him into a routine.

Regards Vivienne