Hi! I am getting a baby Hermann's tortoise on Wed. I am home everyday except mondays which I am gone for about 6 hours. I am worried about the little guy flipping over on his back and getting stuck. I don't want him to fry under the UV/heat lamp I have for him while I am gone. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can keep him safe while I'm away?
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Stuck on back
Becki71
Feb 01, 2004 12:58 PM
Replies (7)
EJ
Feb 01, 2004 01:36 PM
I would think that if you had some kind of structure (stone, branch or whatnot) in the area, to where it could get leverage in the event it flipped over, it could right itself.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care
Becki71
Feb 01, 2004 03:23 PM
I was going to put a flat rock under the lamp so he can climb and bask there....do you think that would work? Plus it wouldn't be flamable.
lothar
Feb 01, 2004 10:26 PM
That's a good idea, plus the rock will become warm from the lamp and be a nice basking spot. Be careful of lamp wattage though.
Becki71
Feb 01, 2004 11:17 PM
It seems that in all the research I have been doing 90-95 degrees is a good basking spot. I'm hoping that is right. If the little guy is 4 weeks old does the temp need to be lower than for an adult?
Sohni
Feb 01, 2004 11:34 PM
Maybe more like 85-90. Their activity level goes down if they get too warm. You can experiment a little and see how he likes it. Also, at such a young age and small size, make sure you are soaking frequently to prevent dehydration.
Have fun with your little guy; Hermann's are great tortoises. I have 2 babies, and they are just like little tanks.
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Sohni
Northern California
0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko
tortoisehead
Feb 02, 2004 01:15 AM
There's a weird looking bug on your shoulder. Not there, the other shoulder. Yeah, a little more to the left.....little more....down a little....RIGHT THERE!! Eeeeewwwwww!
Sohni
Feb 05, 2004 11:56 PM
Ya know, when I was living in Rio and in high school, my school had partitioned walls that could be opened completely (and the school backed up to a heavily vegetated area). I took my physics final with some huge, 3" insect clinging to the ceiling above me...I don't mind bugs, but I don't care for them hanging over my head!
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Sohni
Northern California
0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.2 Hermann's Tortoises
plus my kids' herps:
0.0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko
