Hi, I’m considering buying a tortoise but am not sure which breed would be best for garden life?
Posted on Mar 14, 2010 under Best For Garden |I live in Cornwall, which is warmer than other parts of the UK. I understand that it is possible to keep them outdoors for most of the year, provided the enclosure has suitable shelter, etc? And that they need to come in to hibernate over the winter months. Any advice would be appreciated in order that I can decide whether this is the pet for me!
i would get a russian tortoise
http://www.russiantortoise.org/
GOOD LUCK 
Anyone know about the best gardening strategies if you have severe back pain/strength issues?
March 15th, 2010 at 1:12 am
Hermans Tortoises are great beginner Tortoises, You could use a greenhouse and put a UBV and heat bulbs in it as well as hides, then leave the door open so the tortoise can come in and out, if you don’t want to use a greenhouse perhaps something similar to a rabbit hutch that has a ramp leading up to the door, Tortoises will hibernate in the winter so as long as you provide a warm dark hide they will make use of it.
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Tortoise Keeper
March 15th, 2010 at 1:51 am
i would get a russian tortoise
http://www.russiantortoise.org/
GOOD LUCK
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March 15th, 2010 at 2:38 am
I recently got a tortoise and i have never had one before. I got the hermanns tortoise, mainly because its known as ‘the beginners’ tortoise.
I have a small rabbit run outside for her and i have an indoor rabbit cage so i can keep her indoors when its cooler, Attatched on this cage i have a UV bulb and i have a heat lamp. under her heat lamp i have a large peice of slate so she can bask on it under the lamp.
Im not sure what age you are going to get but mine is 11 months old so i have been adviesed not to hibenate till about 5 years old.
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March 15th, 2010 at 3:22 am
If the weather is warm, an outdoors home during the warmer months is great. I live in scotland so this isn’t advisable for me!
Although you have a while ’til full hibernation I was advised by a herpetologist and tortoise expert that you should still semi-hibernate them ie keep enclosure cooler, feed less etc. When it is about 5/fully grown they can fully hibernate but need checked by vet first and should be hibernated in a hut or garage instead of indoors as central heating systems will bring the temp up and cause them to wake up, dehydrate and die.
there are lots of good books out there.
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