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Tortoise care sheet
Pet Tortoises Testudo spp.
An Introductory Information Leaflet From Reptile Ranch in association with Europe's Premier Reptile Product Company
Background Heat: Use a heat mat between
half and two thirds the size of the cage to provide background heating. The hottest spot in the cage should not be above 40ºC while the coolest should not be below 20ºC. Use a HabiStat Mat - Stat if the temperature is too hot but put the whole cage in a cooler place if the temperature is not cool enough.
Cage Set Up:
The cage should be set up to allow an active tortoise plenty of scope to climb, bask in a hot spot, move to a cooler spot, drink and look for food. The tortoises should also be able to secrete themselves into refuges and rub themselves against something when shedding their skin.
Hot Spot: A local area of higher temperature can be created with a hot rock, a spot lamp or a ceramic heater. Use the latter two in conjunction with a HabiStat thermo-stat for precise control. Hot spots should be maintained for the same day length as the lights, sixteen hours in summer, eight in winter.
Light: Tortoises need a source of vitamin D3 and calcium to remain healthy. The more natural way is to allow UV light to synthesise the vitamin in the skin. Natural sunlight or a lamp like a Reptile D3 or a Blacklight will be needed. Allow the tortoise to bask directly underneath these tubes, which should be no more than 30 cm away. The tube should also be renewed every year. Otherwise, make sure the food has an adequate amount. Calcium must be eaten but can only be absorbed from the gut if vitamin D3 is present.
Cleanliness and Hygiene: A routine cleaner for all non-porous surfaces could be Vetaclene. Any-thing that cannot be easily cleaned should be thrown away and replaced. Any little graze or blemish on the animals themselves would benefit from the first aid afforded by dabbing the wound with Vetadine. As far as human hygiene is concerned, Vetasept Surgical Scrub will clean hands and surfaces while Vetasept Hand Rub will allow adequate cleansing and disinfection even in cases when water is unavailable.
Cage Decor: Desert, Savannah, RainForest Substrates or Repti-Sand, may all be used as the cage base. These will blot up and 'clump' any fouling by the tortoises. Clumps of waste can be removed without cleaning the whole tank out. Cork Bark Logs or Curio Wood could be used to make an interesting three dimensional display. Flake Rain Forest Substrate scattered over the surface makes for an attractive display and acts as an activity medium in which the tortoises can climb. Draping Repti-Vines in the cage will provide refuges the tortoises can hide in or move through but make sure the tortoise does not attempt to tear them!
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