CARE OF HATCHLINGS

This is a basic guide, further reading is essential and enjoyable, some recommendations are attached. It is strongly recommended that you read some of the articles on my forum and in the archive. Further reading can be found via my LINKS page.

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT

An Internal enclosure, with substrate, basking slate, hide, water provision, and some rocks and plants to break the landscape.

A UVB bulb and fittings/shade, or strip light/ Arcadia system in conjunction with 50w halogen spotlight bulb & suitable fittings. Timer is optional.

An accurate thermometer.

Electronic scales, or non electric which are accurate to the nearest gram, to monitor and record a growth record.

See www.natural-timber-products.co.uk Hermann Tortoise Sundries page.

OUTDOOR ENCLOSURE

A wooden sided pen, for the first two years of life, a size of about 3' x 2' is adequate. With strong wire mesh fitted to the top of the pen providing a guard against predators. A piece of twin walled polycarbonate can be wholly or partially placed over the wire in average weather.

The pen is placed on fairly closely mown untreated lawn with dandelion, buttercup, clover, etc, growing in it. A terracotta flower pot can provide shade, security and shelter. Ensure that there are no hollows in the turf where the hatchlings can escape under the pen!

By the 3rd year young tortoises will require something much larger and more interesting with a rockery and plants for shade and shelter. Tortoises with a shell length of 3" or more need interesting enclosure of at least 20 square feet in which they can be left undisturbed. In midsummer tortoises can be left outside at night, they tend to dig into the turf.

Or you can see External enclosures, photo’s and buy from

 www.natural-timber-products.co.uk

INDOOR ENCLOSURE

This needs to be about the same size as the outdoor pen, slightly smaller if space is restricted. An old drawer or plastic tray can be used if you have one of a suitable size. The pen must be placed out of reach of small children and pets, if necessary a removable wire cover can be added. Cover the base of the unit with the substrate, ideally play sand / loam mix. This provides an interesting surface area and aids muscle development. Hatchlings like to bury themselves in this substrate at night. Provide a hide ( terracotta or wooden tunnel) as suggested above. A range of different internal units including pictures are available via the above natural timber products link.

A Lighting system is then suspended above one end of the pen, to form a "basking spot". There are many methods of suspending the Lighting system, find one that suits you. Tortoise will place themselves under the light in order to increase body temperature, moving away when optimum temperature is reached. Examples of the three main types of lighting are pictures below.  The Powersun UVB is possibly the most efficient system, and this has received good press from one of the Tortoise Trusts articles.

Place an accurate thermometer at the surface of the substrate directly below the spotlight, the substrate should be a mixture of play sand and loam compost (50/50 mixture) . A temperature of 85 to 90o F (30 to 33oC) is required. Move the spotlight up or down in order to achieve the a stable temperature. Ensure the basking spot is well away from the wall of the enclosure. Tortoises will occasionally try to climb such walls and can end up on their backs. being stranded upturned below the heat source can quickly lead to death.

POWERSUN UVB

ACADIA UVB AND HALOGEN SPOT LAMP

REPTISUN UVB STRIP LIGHT WITH HALOGEN SPOT LAMP

FOOD AND FEEDING

During the summer months tortoise (even in their first few months) will obtain most of their food by grazing provided that the turf has sufficient wild plants. Additional Dandelion leaves lightly dusted with "Reptavite"(1) see below, a calcium vitamin supplement; or calcium carbonate should be offered two or three times a week. In variable weather offer a supplementary feed in the evening in the indoor set up. Do not molly coddle young tortoises in  the summer months it is essential that they are outside. Direct or indirect sunlight is necessary for proper growth.

In bad weather hatchlings should be brought in to their indoor enclosure where wild food can be offered. offer fresh food when the tortoises are at optimum temperature. Do not be afraid to put hatchlings out in showers, they enjoy light rain. Try and put your tortoise hatchlings outside in spring and autumn to obtain sunlight. They will not necessary feed outside if the temperature is below optimum, but food can be offered in the evening in the indoor set up.

During colder months, continue to feed with wild food. Dandelions and other weeds can be found in sheltered areas for most of the year. It is sensible to cultivate (by seed or transplantation) your own dandelions and other weeds and plants.  See the main plants list on the CARESHEETS page, also the T Lady’s booklet is an excellent reference, this is available via my Links page. It is important that the food is free of pollution.

A useful supplement is  A dusting of "Reptavite" can be added.

Tortoises will eat many foods which are not good for them. Do not offer canned pet food or domestic vegetables or fruit, this includes lettuce tomato's and cucumber, this will lead to shell deformities and other problem, consider the natural habitat and feed only wild plants.

WATER

This is best offered daily, use a shallow container or similar. Place active hatchlings in sufficient water such that they can submerge their heads under it, but not so deep that they cannot lift them above the water level. If they drink they will normally urinate, defecate or pass uric acid (a white substance) in the water. Keep them in the water, under observation for several minutes, remove them after a bowel movement or when they try to escape from the container.

WEIGHT CHECKS

Hatchlings and young tortoises should be weighed accurately, weekly. A life long record should be kept. It is then possible to check that the tortoise is progressing. As they get older, a monthly record is sufficient. It will be possible to check their weight in any given month with that of the previous year. Tortoises in a hibernation cycle will normally peak in weight in late July to mid august.

HANDLING

Hatching tortoises are quite pliable almost rubbery. Handle them between the thumb and first finger, across the midriff (not the top and bottom). Do not trust children to act sensibly with tortoises of any age. Never leave children unsupervised.

BONE DEVELOPMENT

Tortoises have to produce massive amounts of bone. Soft pieces of cuttlefish should always be available. Wild plants especially dandelions have the right ratio of calcium to phosphorous to produce bone. Ultra violet light from the sun is essential in order to convert the calcium and phosphorous into bone. Most of you will have studied a similar process at school which occurs in plants, know as photosynthesis.

Never squeeze a tortoise to check that bone developing, this can lead to fractures and serious consequences.

(1) "Reptavite" is manufactured by Medivet Professional and is available from most good pet shops, and the above sundries link. Store in the fridge and the potency is good for two years.

If you want to copy any information on these pages please contact

contact@hermann-tortoise.co.uk

Copyright © Andy Southard / John Wills