Tortoise ownership
Discussion
I've always been fascinated by them, and would really like to get one but I've never had a pet before..
Has anybody had any experiences? Is it a 'good' first pet or does it need alot of attention? Does it need much water or can it live on land fulltime? I presume this is the same as a terepin?
Has anybody had any experiences? Is it a 'good' first pet or does it need alot of attention? Does it need much water or can it live on land fulltime? I presume this is the same as a terepin?
doesn't need much attention, they're pretty similar to those rocks that mysteriously glide across dried up lake beds.
You'll need to fuel it with a bit of lettuce every now and again, and they'll hibernate during winter.
A terrapin is quite different, and would be kept inside in a tank.
You'll need to fuel it with a bit of lettuce every now and again, and they'll hibernate during winter.
A terrapin is quite different, and would be kept inside in a tank.
dont let it near any radioactive ooze, I did this once, it became a surly ninja with a penchant for martial arts and ran away to fight crime which sucked as I'd bought it a wee cage and everything. Now it lives in the sewers wearing a bandana, I see it around every so often but it doesnt write 
deevlash said:
dont let it near any radioactive ooze, I did this once, it became a surly ninja with a penchant for martial arts and ran away to fight crime which sucked as I'd bought it a wee cage and everything. Now it lives in the sewers wearing a bandana, I see it around every so often but it doesnt write
Was it Teenage by any chance?Vixpy1 said:
deevlash said:
dont let it near any radioactive ooze, I did this once, it became a surly ninja with a penchant for martial arts and ran away to fight crime which sucked as I'd bought it a wee cage and everything. Now it lives in the sewers wearing a bandana, I see it around every so often but it doesnt write
Was it Teenage by any chance?We've got two, one from a petshop, one was found by a friend wandering around the streets of droitwich (slowly), and so far we've been unable to find its rightful owners, its been here at least two years now.
They are no problem what so ever, they only hibernate if they are large enough to do so, ours live in a vivarium, so rarely sleep for long as its temp controlled.
I've read, that in their natural habitat, they hibernate during the summer, burying themselves to escape the heat.
Lettuce is not really good for them, as although it gives them water, it has no other benefits, they are individuals of course, one of ours love vegatables, the other fruit.
They are actually quite entertaining.
They are no problem what so ever, they only hibernate if they are large enough to do so, ours live in a vivarium, so rarely sleep for long as its temp controlled.
I've read, that in their natural habitat, they hibernate during the summer, burying themselves to escape the heat.
Lettuce is not really good for them, as although it gives them water, it has no other benefits, they are individuals of course, one of ours love vegatables, the other fruit.
They are actually quite entertaining.
deevlash said:
Vixpy1 said:
deevlash said:
dont let it near any radioactive ooze, I did this once, it became a surly ninja with a penchant for martial arts and ran away to fight crime which sucked as I'd bought it a wee cage and everything. Now it lives in the sewers wearing a bandana, I see it around every so often but it doesnt write
Was it Teenage by any chance?All you need is here http://www.britishcheloniagroup.org.uk/
Great as pets but you need to read up on the subject they are nothing like Turtles!
Good luck.
Great as pets but you need to read up on the subject they are nothing like Turtles!
Good luck.
They can be hard work:
Hibernation - can be tricky, get it wrong (health/weight/accomodation) and it can kill them)
Accomodation - UK weather tends to be crap, they ONLY have energy once warm, so garden is ideal but they you nedd to build it a shelter with basking lamps. Or indoor vivarium which I feel is a bit mean on them (each to their own)
Food - natual weeds (certain ones, daffodils I think in particular) are best, but you can add extra food suppliment to other fruit/veg for them..as above lettuce is not very good.
Husbandry - you need to make sure they are not exposed to less than 0 degrees as they will die, or at least go blind. Have make sure they feed regulary in summer (water not too bad as take moisture from food) and you have to bathe them occasionally
great pets, but I actually think they are a bit of hard work!
Hibernation - can be tricky, get it wrong (health/weight/accomodation) and it can kill them)
Accomodation - UK weather tends to be crap, they ONLY have energy once warm, so garden is ideal but they you nedd to build it a shelter with basking lamps. Or indoor vivarium which I feel is a bit mean on them (each to their own)
Food - natual weeds (certain ones, daffodils I think in particular) are best, but you can add extra food suppliment to other fruit/veg for them..as above lettuce is not very good.
Husbandry - you need to make sure they are not exposed to less than 0 degrees as they will die, or at least go blind. Have make sure they feed regulary in summer (water not too bad as take moisture from food) and you have to bathe them occasionally
great pets, but I actually think they are a bit of hard work!
Edited by Soir on Wednesday 16th December 12:45
Soir said:
They can be hard work:
Hibernation - can be tricky, get it wrong (health/weight/accomodation) and it can kill them)
Accomodation - UK weather tends to be crap, they ONLY have engery once warm, so garden is ideal but they you nedd to build it a shelter with basking lamps. Or indoor vivarium which I feel is a bit mean on them (each to their own)
Food - natual weeds (certain ones, daffodils I think in particular) are best, but you can add extra food suppliment to other fruit/veg for them..as above lettuce is not very good.
Husbandry - you need to make sure they are not exposed to less than 0 degrees as they will die, or at least go blind. Have make sure they feed regulary in summer (water not too bad as take moisture from food) and you have to bathe them occasionally
great pets, but I actually think they are a bit of hard work!
+1Hibernation - can be tricky, get it wrong (health/weight/accomodation) and it can kill them)
Accomodation - UK weather tends to be crap, they ONLY have engery once warm, so garden is ideal but they you nedd to build it a shelter with basking lamps. Or indoor vivarium which I feel is a bit mean on them (each to their own)
Food - natual weeds (certain ones, daffodils I think in particular) are best, but you can add extra food suppliment to other fruit/veg for them..as above lettuce is not very good.
Husbandry - you need to make sure they are not exposed to less than 0 degrees as they will die, or at least go blind. Have make sure they feed regulary in summer (water not too bad as take moisture from food) and you have to bathe them occasionally
great pets, but I actually think they are a bit of hard work!
In addition to all of that you need to consider that they can live for a very long time - My parents have one that is over 20 and still going strong.
My dad has a tortoise that he bought from the Goose Fair in Nottingham when he was about 9. He's 65 now! A little boring at times but they are lovely to watch even when just eating or craning to look at something. They can be speedy little devils and don't have barefeet in reach when they're on the loose. It hurts when you stub your toe on them (sometimes they just look like a doorstop and go unnoticed!). Our Billy hibernates pretty much all the time, loves dandelion leaves and is partial to a little catfood (don't ask). In very hot weather he likes a nice cool shower. Gardens have to be VERY secure; they can get through the smallest gap. An outdoor guinae pig run or the like is handy.
TpdNotts said:
My dad has a tortoise that he bought from the Goose Fair in Nottingham when he was about 9. He's 65 now! A little boring at times but they are lovely to watch even when just eating or craning to look at something.
Are you speaking about your dad or the tortoise? 
Who's quickest in a straight line race?
I got my tortoise (Fred) from a neighbor at the grand old age of 7 and now I'm 32. In that time he's been to the vet once for an eye infection and that's it. He has to be the most low maintenance pet we have ever owned and all we have to do is give him some (moistened) salad in the morning and make sure he's in his hut at night. Other than that as long as he's got a shoe to hump manically for hours on end he's a happy tortoise.
Its true about their ability to escape. I've found Fred on his side squeezing through the bars of his pen and then also climbing up a vertical slope on a climber plant!!
Its true about their ability to escape. I've found Fred on his side squeezing through the bars of his pen and then also climbing up a vertical slope on a climber plant!!
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff