Tortoise Paddock

The Tortoise Paddock is approximately half an acre. They have two fully insulated sheds with UV lights and heating.

We have built a stream for them to paddle in and hydrate from, as well as lots of different planting of trees, edible foliage etc.

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We have thirty-two tortoises of various breeds, who have all come to Hollyview for a variety of different reasons – including living in unsuitable homes to being badly abused; some have never seen grass or been outside. Often their owners have bought them on a whim, not realising how complex, but amazing, these creatures really are. With a life expectancy ranging from 60 years upwards, they are a huge lifetime commitment and often prove to be extremely expensive.

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The Sulcatas are the biggest breed of tortoise that we have. These are basically mini bulldozers that will quite happily take you out like skittles if you are in their way. They roam wherever they want to go, they have total freedom and will quite happily come indoors for a snack. As a non-hibernating species, and due to their size and weight, it can be quite a challenge to provide them with the right environment. They are often sold at pet shops and are mis-sold; they are the size of a 50p coin at birth, but at adult weight can be between 36kg and 50kg. This is the same as owning a calf in your home – it simply does not work too well.

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All tortoises have amazing characters and are all individuals. We are constantly seeking new ways to enrich their lives and this year we are trying to become more self-sufficient for the animals that live here. We are going to try and grow a more natural diet not only for the tortoises, but also for the rabbits and guinea pigs, as this food is something that they would forage for in the wild.