hi

im getting a ibera and im not sure what to house it in indoors, the breeder has it in a glass fronted with wooden sides but ive been looking on web for info and this seems not good for him,hes 8mths old please help should i get an airy house or go with the the glass fronted,shes been breeding for yrs and looks like hers are doing fine

Hi
Probably best if you have a read of the care sheet which gives you all the information for owning an Ibera. Personally I don't have experience with Ibera's but any husbandry for Torts would be to replicate the wild as much as possible. Anyway have a read and then if you have any questions fire away, and someone with experience will be able to help you
http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/files/Ibera%20care%20sheet%20May%202008.pdf

Regards
Jane, Keya & Molly

Hi, , I'm glad you are researching on how to look after a tortoise.  The short answer is - NO tortoise should be kept in a vivarium!  The wooden box with a glass front is designed for reptiles such as lizards not tortoises.  They do not have enough air flow (even tho there a little vents in some).  This means the heat builds up inside, aand the tortoise cannot escape from it.  The same happens with humidity, it builds up to very high levels from the water bowl or if they wee.

The tortoise should be in an open table top or large indoor rabbit cage, please see the example enclosures our members have, look under 'photo gallery' on the lefthand menu. And as Jane has suggested read the care sheets.

I would find it hard to believe that a tortoise will breed and lay eggs in a vivarium, tortoises dig deep holes in the earth to lay eggs, you cannot replicate these conditions in a wooden vivarium.  Also, a viv would be too small to house two adult mating tortoises.

If you can I would want to see the parents, and check the paper work which has to be provided for Iberas, look at the country of origin.

I hope this helps, regards Vivienne