Tortoise Equipment?

Question

I have a 8 month old Hermanns tortoise and he is so cute but very lively!! He's always climbing and looking for something to get up to. Recently its been pushing his house about his vivarium (he's very strong for such a small baby!) anyways i have made him a tunnel with he loves but am looking for inspiration as to what else i can make for him that will occupy him. He loves being in his run where there are stones and slate to climb on and tunnels to go through. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know preferably with how to make it lol!!. Also can someone tell me the recipe for tortoise pudding (i think it has gelotine in it but not sure how to make it) Thank you with love from us both!! xx

Answer 1

I would not recommend tortoise pudding. Fresh greens and plants are a LOT healthier, and not as much work.

(Although, if you HAVE to make it, here are the basics- don't worry a lot about exact details:
- prepare a couple boxes of regular unsweetened, uunflavored gelatin with about 3/4ths or the usual water
- chop up handfuls of dried parsely, Timothy hay, dark greens (endive, dandelions, turnip greens, etc.)
- add some powdered vitamins and calcium supplement- err on the too-little side.
- many recipies are designed fo other species, so have too much grain, meat and/or sweets for the Hermann's- ignore those!
- mix the chopped greens, supplements, and gelatin together. Spread on a sheet cake pan thinly and chill to set.
- once set, cut into cubes, put in a resealable bag, and freeze until needed.

I believe in this mix for several species of turtles, but not for tortoises! (For turtles, you would add several other ingrediants as well.)

My favorite site for these guys is http://www.tortoisetrust.org



Play areas... tortoises are not real happy with changes, and do not really get bored easily. Don't keep changing the habitat- it is exploring things and if they keep changing, it stresses the tortoise out. It wants to learn its range and burn it into its memory.

Now- 'toys' are OK- live plants it can nibble on, things to climb on and over or hide in, things it can push around (many like pushing balls around), etc.

You can also stimulate your tortoise by the way you feed it. Hang the food so it dangles down and it has to work a little for it (don't tease it, however!) If you have smooth tank walls, try a 'vegetation clip'. You can buy these at fish pet shops, or make your own with a small 'bag closing clip' or bulldog clip. Attach it to a small suction cup or a wire tht you can hang over the side.


Good luck!

Answer 2

Try to make a play area for your Tortoise, like a rockery with differant size stones etc for it to climb up, just be carefull that it doesnt fall down and upside down. Tortoises are used to roaming over differant landscapes.

Answer 3

Hello..sounds ok as it is...in warmer weathers you can put them outside with sun, shade & turtle hut...but as you have found out they are quite strong & good diggers, so it's best bury some cement blocks or make a cement curb or bury some chicken wire if it's a good sized turtle...when the weather turns cold..they can even hibernate over winter in warmer states like Calif, if you're in a very cold state, then it's best to bring them in the house, put them in a box in a drawer, closet or a cabinet, where it's secure & dark...Take Care :)