| Caring for these pets will take more planning than | | | | The care of tortoise babies will require you to |
| you may imagine. In order to provide an appropriate | | | | provide some specialist equipment and understanding |
| home for your tortoise you should do some | | | | of the dietary needs of the particular species you |
| homework into the different species available to | | | | have chosen. Babies will also need to be watched |
| keep in a home enclosure. Without this knowledge | | | | carefully when it comes time to hibernate. Do not let |
| you could end up with a tortoise that will grow to | | | | a very young baby hibernate as they will not have |
| the size of a small dog but require a huge area in | | | | been able to build up their stamina enough in order to |
| which to live! This in turn would require a large | | | | hibernate for a prolonged period. Instead alter the |
| expense to equip its home adequately with light and | | | | photo periods and heating in the enclosure in order |
| heat let alone the size it would have to be! | | | | for your baby to stay awake! |
| Therefore research some smaller species better | | | | Ultimately, the care of a tortoise needs a high level |
| suited to home enclosures who are bred in captivity | | | | of commitment on your part as its carer. This is a big |
| and will thrive in a well designed home. Species such | | | | responsibility as your baby could outlive you and need |
| as the Horsfield or Pancake would be relatively easy | | | | to be cared for by your children and even |
| to care for although there are others. | | | | grandchildren! |