Hello, I have so many questions. I want to give my tort a nice life. I recently got a 1 year old Hermanns tortoise. I have put it (dont know the sex yet) in a tortoise table. I have got small wooden chips in but have been reading various articles saying this shouldnt be used? what is the best substrate to use in the table? I have a UV light and spot lamp on during the day and at night I turn these off and put the heat mat on? Is this best practice? Also what about putting some hay in the bedding area, is this recommended and also Would this be safe under the spot light as that area gets quite hot? finaly I have calcium powder, would I put a pinch of this on each meal or only some? Sorry I have so many questions. I have done a lot of research and found conflicting information......Please, any help and guidance would be appreciated by myself and my little tort.

Thank you
Angela

Hi and welcome
From experience, I think putting the basic needs first and then learning more is best when you first have your little one, or you will get so confused. I have attached a link from the site that you will find useful, this will help you to get a good understanding. Ask as many questions as you like as we all learn from them. I will just say the sooner you remove the wood chips the better, they can be quite dangerous, a mix of 50-50 topsoil and play sand is the best substrate, as they can regulate their temperature better, this is the sort of soil they would be on in their native homes.
Good to have another member on the site to learn with
Jane

OOps her is the link

http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/files/Hermanns%20care%20sheet%20May%202008.pdf

Jane