Tortoise-world Forum

Hello!
I have a little Hermann tort who is about 2 years and have recently become very confused/worried about how I have been caring for her. I had been happily feeding her tortoise pellets, garden weeds and some home grown lettuce (and whatever she eats on her supervised ventures into the garden). This diet was recommended by the breeder and store owner I purchased her from and the book I got when I got her. However, I have recently been told that this is not an appropriate diet for her at all and am now feeling rather confused about all of the conflicting advice I've read on the internet/in books about keeping a tortoise.
She seems healthy, is moving around rather speedily and has been growing at a good rate (I think!) so I hope no damage has been done, any advice would be great! Thanks.

A few other none diet questions:
When is it ok for her to be outside? I have a run outside for her but have read conflicting advice on when she should be out there.
She climbs the walls of her viv all the time, basically most of the time she is inside and not asleep/eating. I have given her things to climb on/over/around but she seems intent on trying to escape instead and often ends up on her back. This worries be obviously. Any idea why she does this?

Sorry for the major essay, but I'm worrying now! Thanks again.

Hi Becky

Your tortoise should be outside for most of the summer providing she has a shelter she can go to. I provide additional heat for my torts on cold days. If you can't do this than bring her in for a few hours under the lamp so she is warm when she goes outside, however in the long run it is much easier and less stressful for your tortoise if you have a kennel or shed that they can go into to warm up. As they are cold blooded they need to be at a temp close to 30 degrees before they can digest their food.

There is so much conflicting information out there on the internet but I suggest you give the sites listed below a good read over the weekend. Don't feel guilty, a lot of people make the same mistakes and providing that the tort isn't on this diet for a large period of it's life, then there will be little lasting harm done.

Vivs create a constant steady temperature and can be quite confusing for a tortoise. They need a micro climate where they can cool down. The other thing is that if it has clear sides, as they do not understand clear barriers they think they can go through it.

Don't worry about asking a lot of questions, it is how people learn and please take this how it was intended, you're not the first to be 'taken in' by a pet shop and unfortunately you won't be the last, but you are learning how to do the best for your tortoise now and that is all that matters.

I'd love to see some pics of her

Josh