Critique my setup:)

[Ryan Kruse]

I have a new Russian tortoise. This is my setup until it warms up enough to have her outdoors. I am looking for any helpful ideas, suggestions, comments, etc. The basking spot is around 100, the ambient temps on the low end range from 70-75 depending on if our heat kicks on alot. She already ate a whole cuttle bone her first night!! I soaked her for about 10 minutes today.

 

[Ryan Kruse]

I do have a hide, although she never uses it and a water dish against the front edge. You can't really see them from the picture.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

some stuff in the enclosure needs to go. 1. sand. can cause impaction in the tortoises intestines if he eats to much of it. 2 coil bulb. coil builds are know to damage tortoises eyes. 3 the enclosure is to small needs to be around 2 times the size it is now.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

can you pst a better pic of the water dish?

 

[Ryan Kruse]

Here is another picture. Sooo....A for effort, F for execution

 

[Ryan Kruse]

I have spent 20-30 hours reading every website I could come across. The vast majority had a mix of sand and coir/peat/or dirt as being the best mix to use. Grr.... 4'x2' was also the size suggested. Stupid internet!!!

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

did you read this care sheet? http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

 

[Ryan Kruse]

I was just reading it. Hmmm....I guess I will make some changes!

 

[Michael Twohy]

some stuff in the enclosure needs to go. 1. sand. can cause impaction in the tortoises intestines if he eats to much of it. 2 coil bulb. coil builds are know to damage tortoises eyes. 3 the enclosure is to small needs to be around 2 times the size it is now.

Exactly what I would say

 

[mike taylor]

The temperatures are probably off, thats why he is staying under the heat lamp .

 

[Jodie]

You're on the right track getting info here. It's not just the internet, but pet stores, reptile shops and vets that give bad information. I had to completely start over when i found this site.

 

[Michael Twohy]

You're on the right track getting info here. It's not just the internet, but pet stores, reptile shops and vets that give bad information. I had to completely start over when i found this site.

Vets give improper info?!

 

[mike taylor]

Some do .

 

[Yvonne G]

Another thing about your lights. Is the one that's next to the compact fluorescent bulb a Mercury Vapor Bulb? If so, it needs to be hung straight down, not at an angle. Hanging a MVB at an angle shortens the life of the bulb.

While I DO like to see larger indoor habitats for russian tortoises, yours is adequate for this winter. Be thinking about getting the tortoise outside in a large and safe habitat for when the weather warms up.

 

[Jodie]

Vets give improper info?!

I recently had a vet tell me to feed my Leopard tortoise veggies, beans, carrots and broccoli for example he said. I educated him, and took my tortoise elsewhere.

 

[Michael Twohy]

I recently had a vet tell me to feed my Leopard tortoise veggies, beans, carrots and broccoli for example he said. I educated him, and took my tortoise elsewhere.

Just horrible

 

[Michael Twohy]

Some do .

Ugh..... it's their job and they still can't give the info

 

[mike taylor]

Some go by old books that are all wrong . The vet I have has his own tortoise .

 

[Michael Twohy]

Some go by old books that are all wrong . The vet I have has his own tortoise .

Oh.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

It's a great start!
The caresheet will help you out a lot.
Terra cotta plants saucers make great water dishes. I do like your decor, but make sure he is easily able to climb over those rocks, he could flip.
Sand, and the coil, has got to go! (caresheet)
Just wondering, is the hay there for him to eat?