|
Name |
Horsefields
Spur-ThighMarginatedHermans
Tortoise
|
Leopard
tortoise
Geochelone
pardalis |
Spurred
tortoise
Geochelone
sulcata |
Redfooted Tortoise
Geochelonia
carbonaria |
Indian
Star Tortoises Geochelone
elegans
|
Turtles
Sliders/Yellow Bellied |
|
Vivarium
Size
|
Never
use a vivarium or aquariums.
Use
tortoise table minimum size 3ftx4ftx1ft deep sides.
Summers outdoors in rabbit runs
etc. Not open topped ones. |
Never
use a vivarium or aquariums.
Use a
tortoise table. Juveniles. Table minimum size 3ftx4ftx1ft deep
sides.
Large
examples may be 60 cm (over 2 feet) long and weigh over 35 kg
(about 80 lbs.).
So a shed with outside access is
required. |
Never
use a vivarium or aquariums.
Use a
tortoise table for babies. Juveniles. Table minimum size
3ftx4ftx1ft deep sides.
83 cm (over 2.5 feet) and a
maximum recorded weight of 105 kg (about 240 lbs.). African
Spurred tortoises like (and need) space - lots of it. |
Never
use a vivarium or aquariums.
Use a
tortoise table A table for one minimum size 3ftx4ftx1ft
A table
enclosure 7x7x1ft will house a trio happily through the winter
months,
|
Never
use a vivarium or aquariums.
Use
tortoise table minimum size 3ftx4ftx1ft deep sides.
Summers outdoors when warm in
rabbit runs etc. Not open topped ones. |
Ferplast
Geo Lg for Hatchlings.
3ft x
2ft x 1ft min., for one adult.
|
|
Lighting
Required
|
Require
full spectrum lighting ReptiGlo 10 compact
and a basking spot bulb PT2134
or a combined heat spot bulb Mega ray or T-Rex UV heat spot lamp.
All these should be used with a Porcelain Wire Clamp Holder PT2062
For more info see link bellow. |
Require
full spectrum lighting and a basking area.
As for
Horsefields Lighting
Required.
For more info see link bellow. |
Require
full spectrum lighting and a basking spot bulb or a combined heat
spot bulb Mega ray or T-Rex UV heat spot lamp
For more info see link bellow. |
Use a
5% UVB strip bulb for young animals, moving to UV 10 tube and
starter after 9-12 months of age.
These are forest tortoise so do
not like it too bright. |
Require
full spectrum lighting and a basking spot bulb or a combined heat
spot bulb Mega ray or T-Rex UV heat spot lamp
For more info see link bellow. |
Need
full spectrum lighting UV 5 plus starter.
|
|
Heating
Required
|
No heat
mats they can cook the tortoise as they lay on them.
Use an
infra red or red spot bulb on an appropriate thermostat for the
night temps See note*
bellow).
A
combined heat spot bulb Mega ray or T-Rex UV heat spot lamp as
above in the Lighting section. Raise or lower to get the correct
temps.
*No heating at night as long as
the night temps do not go bellow 60f. |
No heat
mats they can cook the tortoise as they lay on them.
As for
Horsefields.
For more info see link bellow. |
No heat
mats they can cook the tortoise as they lay on them.
As for
Horsefields.
For more info see link bellow. |
86-88f
with a night time drop to around 77f.
Humidity
is important, in the region of 70-80%.
heat
via the ambient air temp more than through the use of strong
lights since most Reds don't take to prolonged basking, relying on
the air temperature to maintain there body heat. Use a Basking
spot bulb on a thermostat.
To raise the humidity indoors on a
tortoise table place the water bowl PT2804
on a heat mat 4”x5” or 6”x11”. |
No heat
mats they can cook the tortoise as they lay on them.
As for
Horsefields
For more info see link bellow. |
Temperature
of 80ºF
Use aquarium heater thermostat and
heater cage |
|
Substrate
|
Peat or
Coir/playpen sand mixed 1:1.
Garden
soil and sand.
Herbifloor which is a pellet of
herbs and grasses so if ingested is said not cause impaction. |
As for Horsefields. |
As for Horsefields. |
Topsoil is good and combined with
forest bark makes a good floor medium also helping hold a humidity
level far easier than just bark alone. |
As for Horsefields. |
Bare bottom tank is easiest to
keep clean. |
|
Décor
|
Rocks,
a flat piece of stone to put under the heat lamp and feeding
station.
A water bowl must be included and
filled with fresh water daily.PT2804 |
Rocks,
a flat piece of stone to put under the heat lamp and feeding
station.
A water bowl must be included and
filled with fresh water daily. PT2804 |
Rocks,
a flat piece of stone to put under the heat lamp and feeding
station.
A water bowl must be included and
filled with fresh water daily. PT2804 |
Hides
should be given in several areas, with bark arches always a firm
favourite.
A water bowl must be included and
filled with fresh water daily. PT2804 |
Rocks,
a flat piece of stone to put under the heat lamp and feeding
station.
A water bowl must be included and
filled with fresh water daily. PT2804 |
Turtle dock or rocks and bog wood
to climb out on to sunbathe. |
|
Feeding
|
NEVER
USE DRY TORTOISE PELLET FOODS CAN CAUSE POOR SHELL DEVELOPMENT.
Garden
weeds
Go to
http://www.
tortoisetrust.org
/articles/
plantfoods.html
Use Repton or Nutrobal and Ca
substitute or similar T268. |
NEVER
USE DRY TORTOISE PELLET FOODS CAN CAUSE POOR SHELL DEVELOPMENT.
They
come from mainly grassland so are grazers and need grasses mostly.
For
more information go to
http://www.tortoisetrust.
org/care/cpardalis.html
Use Repton or Nutrobal and Ca
substitute or similar T268
. |
Geochelone
sulcata require daily access to a natural
grazing area and will feed readily upon mixed grasses, hibiscus,
clover and - a great favourite - prickly pear pads. Due to their
prodigious rate of growth, their demand for calcium and mineral
trace elements is high. A calcium-D3 supplement should be provided
daily. T268
For
more information go to
http://www.tortoisetrust.
org/care/csulcata.html |
good
dietary management for Redfoots contains 70% greens, weeds being
preferred as they have a good calcium/phosphorus content. Salad
greens can be mixed in also including Watercress, Romaine lettuce,
Lambs lettuce and some Water cress (Collard greens). 30% of the
diet can contain a variety of chicken breast can be offered as
well as snails Slugs, earth worms and other small invertebrates.
Protein feeds should only be offered in small amounts weekly or
fortnightly. Redfoots need an ample supply of water as they drink
huge amounts daily and often enjoy sitting in a good sized water
container. Remember also to use a good quality multivitamin and
mineral supplement such as Repton ,Nutrobal
or
similar T268 .
|
It
grazes extensively upon mixed grasses. It also favours the fruit
and pads of the prickly pear (Opuntia
sp.), succulents and thistles. Star tortoises will graze happily
on lawn grass if presented with the opportunity and this seems to
prevent most such problems Their demand for calcium and mineral
trace elements is high. Use of a supplement is critical -
especially with juveniles and egg-laying females. T268
For
more information go to
http://www.tortoisetrust.
org/care/celegans.html |
Feed
dry turtle pellets earth worms lance fish pieces of raw fish. Use
Ca and Ca mineral supplements. T268
|
|
Hibernate |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
N/A |
|
Note for all
Tortoise
|
The
keeping of tortoise is very rewarding but not to be gone into
lightly. Read up on them especially the one that you are
interested in. Do not buy online as you do not know what you are
buying. Check out petshops some are better than others and should
take the time to talk to you about the tortoise ask some basic
questions that you already know the answer to and if they give
poor advice go elsewhere. Try to find a breeder if possible
Remember they can live for 130 years.
Good
information can be found through the Tortoise trust.
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/celegans.html |
