Hi everyone,

Im sure you all read 100's of post from newbies asking for advise well here is another

I have taken the plunge and bought a Tortoise Table. I should explain that I have wanted a Tortoise for many many years but have not entered the Tortoise owner world due to being inexperienced! But there is alot more help and advise out there now that I have decided to take the big step of becoming a Tortoise owner......Except I have not purchased my Tortoise yet.

I have only been brave enough to purchase the table which I have loaded a pic of, hopefully, for you all to see and advise if this is a suitable Tortoise home.

The overall size of the table is 48" long x 24" wide x 7.5" high.                          The hide opening is approx 8" wide x 5" tall.

The lighting attachment is a EXO TERRA 150W Lamp Holder. Could someone please advise the best wattage/blub for this holder and what the temp areas of the table should be?

Could you also please advise how long this light should be on for?

Any advise/suggestion would be very much appreciated

 I look forward to hearing from you all

Sam

Sam, you are about to enter a long-term obsession. I am so pleased to hear that you have set up ahead of beastie. I am in my 40 something year of this obsession...luckily there is no cure...but treatment is available. The treatment is simple. You must read everything available, research natural habitat of whichever species you opt for, find a really good local exotics vet...THEN BUY YOUR TORTOISE, from a breeder you can keep in touch with. When I got my first tortoise, there were no breeders, and only really one book of any worth.

I have never kept really young torts, and have used outside purpose-built pens, with cloched areas. My advice personally would be to opt for Testudo graeca ibera. These are also known as the Turkish Spur-thighed. My reason is that these often grow to be quite dark coloured adults. I have read that their natural range is is higher and cooler than some species, so I reckon they have a head start over paler, more southern species. Being dark, they rapidly warm up on our warm days. They can spend a large part of the year outdoors in totally natural light with lots of UV light available. I know tortoise keepers who have had their testudo ibera for over 40 years. Once you provide for their precise needs they thrive as well as any european tortoise. As they hibernate for the winter, it is a huge annual excitement when they emerge in spring. I expect keepers of Hermann's and Horsefield's might not agree, but I am sharing my long term experience. I do hope plenty of keepers reply to your posting Sam. Do let us know how you get on...and welcome to the world of tortoises!

Regards, David nr York.

Try these Sam and see what you think.

Ibera websites

http://www.amasquefa.com/uploads/Testudo_graeca_ibera439.pdf

http://www.tortoise.org/archives/tgraeca.html

http://www.treknature.com/gallery/photo221157.htm

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

Regards, David nr York

Hi Sam

Lovely torty table, love the house. Looks like you have a horsfield in there, so you took the plunge. Can I make one suggestion please.. I would remove the hemp/saw dust and replace it with 50/50 play sand and top soil, the torts feel so much more at home with that, and especially with the horsfields because they love to burrow down. Take a look at the care sheets on the left, they are great for helping us to understand our torty.
Dave has given you some good sites there, I think I will visit a few of them myself
Anyway look forward to learning with you
Jane, Keya & Molly

Hi Guys thanks for all the info.

I should tell you the decoration in the table is not mine, nor the Tortoise. Its the maker of the table. It should be delivered this week. VERY excited.

I have also decided on a Hermann Tortoise and found a great breeder who is so helpful. She is even sending pic's to me  My little Hermann is still an egg at the moment but is due to hatch this month I cant wait to see what she/he looks like. I know it ages away until I get her/him but it gives me plenty of time to set everything up and triple check everything.

The table comes with a EXO TERRA 150W LAMP HOLDER I havent brought the blub yet, it's for one of those combination blubs just not sure on wattage? Any advice very much appreciated

I'm loving learning/reading/surfing the net, as well as receiving loads of info. from the breeder about Tortoises. I only wish I had been confident enough to take the plunge sooner!

Thanks again

Sam

Hi Sam
Wow how cool is that, waiting for your torty to hatch and watch them getting bigger.  UK breeders are definately the way to go, so glad you researched first, i done that and found a brilliant breeder too.
You had me fooled with the tort in the pen, thought you had got yourself up and running.
Learning about tortoise is really interesting, you can learn so much, you go to realms that you never knew existed.
Anyway keep us updated 
Jane, Keya & Molly 

Hi Sam

Where did you purchase the table, it look ideal?

Thanks

Kevan

Would you be able to let me know where you ordered your table from please?

It looks perfect

Hello ive got a Horsefield tortoise he is nearly 2 and im looking for a new set up for him as he is out growing the one hes got now i see youve baught that tortoise table i fell in love with the same one about 2 months ago on Ebay but they are not stocking them any more any chance you could tell me where i could get one similar thanks