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Help please tortoise lovers Posted: 26/10/2010 by leaf17 |
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Hello, I have always wanted a tortoise and my birthday is coming up so I plan to treat myself! Please could I get some advice on the characteristics of different species and what might be best for a newbie to the world of the tortoise? Thanks very much, Jack. | |
Re: Help please tortoise lovers Posted: 26/10/2010 by Carlygeorge |
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Hi Jack, I am also a newbie and have just bought two 1 year old Hermann's Tortoises. They are adorable and I would recommend anyone to get a Hermanns. However, I have only had them for 3-4 weeks so who am I to judge. Carly | |
Re: Help please tortoise lovers Posted: 26/10/2010 by leaf17 |
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Hi Carly, | |
Re: Help please tortoise lovers Posted: 26/10/2010 by winnie |
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Hi Jack Soon you'll be a tort owner and you'll never look back once you get your new charge. Could I make a suggestion please.... if you're getting a new tort please don't buy from a pet shop/garden centre. These torts tend to be wild caught and the advice you are given on housing and feeding is usually totally wrong. If you're wanting a hatchling then buy a captive bred one from a breeder (there'll be a list on here) or you could go down the rescue/rehoming line if you don't mind taking on an older tort, there's plenty out there in need of new, permanent homes through no fault of their own. Sorry I can't advise you on what species to get. I've only ever had Horsfields which I think are fab (but I could be classed as bias) but non of them are "easy torts", you need to make sure you get the correct information regarding housing, lighting & temps and diet etc. Your on a good site here. There's loads of keepers on here both experienced and new who will be only to happy to help. This is where I came when I got my first tort and now they can't get rid of me . I'm learning all the time with my 3, that's why sites like this are so valuable. Iseem to of waffled on an awful lot don't I !. I'll jump off here and let one of the experts help you out. Good luck in getting a happy and healthy tort. Winnie | |
Re: Help please tortoise lovers Posted: 27/10/2010 by leaf17 |
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Please do not hesitate to waffle! Carly, could you tell me a bit about your Hermann's? And Winnie, how about your Horsfields? I have barely spent any time with 'torts' so am pretty much clueless. Do they tend grow attached to their owners in a similar way to dogs or cats may do?
Jack | |
Re: Help please tortoise lovers Posted: 30/10/2010 by SuperMo |
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Hi Jack, We have had our first Hosefield, Rover, since March, and love him. I think he has grown attached. He likes to have a snuggle with my daughter and will go to sleep on her . Also he has a worrying attachment to my husband's feet for some reason, and when he has the run of the house he gravitates pretty rapidly to where Richard sits at the computer. | |
Re: Help please tortoise lovers Posted: 30/10/2010 by tpgAli |
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Hi Maureen, Please dont think im having a go but it really isnt advisible to let a tortoise roam around the house, im saying this because ive had personal experience of the dangers when i let my male ibera Timmy have the run of the house for a few hours a day when we had him indoors one winter, someone opened a door when he was next to it and it caused quite severe damage to his jaw which ended up an emergency trip to the vets, a bill for almost £300 and a very painful experience for the tortoise. This is just one of the dangers but there are many dangers out there. They need a stable environment that meets their needs as they do not do well to change, please bear this in mind. Ali (TPG)
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