Humidity concerns

Walter21

New Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2017
Messages
20
Location (City and/or State)
Maryland
What should the humidity in a Russian tortoises enclosure be? With it being winter time my enclosure is around 20%-30%. I have read so many conflicting things. Some say to have it around 50% and others say 30%. What do you all recommend?
 

TechnoCheese

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Feb 20, 2016
Messages
4,505
Location (City and/or State)
Lewisville, Texas
If it’s an adult Russian, humidity doesn’t matter as much as long as you have a damp substrate and/or a humid hide :)

(But also don’t quote me on this because I don’t keep Russians :p)
 

RosemaryDW

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
4,144
Location (City and/or State)
Newport Coast, CA
Welcome Walter, we are glad you are here and asking questions!

Your Russian is from an area that is incredibly dry year round; now that he or she is an adult, it is well equipped to live in a dry environment. If you only had someplace very humid for it, that would be a concern. But dry is okay.

If your Russian lives entirely inside, make sure it has easy access to water; that should be enough. (Even then it may not drink very often.)

I am afraid TechnoCheese is right, the enclosure in that picture is not large enough to keep your tortoise healthy in the long run. After you’ve had a look at the care sheet, please come back and ask some enclosure questions. :)
 

Walter21

New Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2017
Messages
20
Location (City and/or State)
Maryland
Welcome Walter, we are glad you are here and asking questions!

Your Russian is from an area that is incredibly dry year round; now that he or she is an adult, it is well equipped to live in a dry environment. If you only had someplace very humid for it, that would be a concern. But dry is okay.

If your Russian lives entirely inside, make sure it has easy access to water; that should be enough. (Even then it may not drink very often.)

I am afraid TechnoCheese is right, the enclosure in that picture is not large enough to keep your tortoise healthy in the long run. After you’ve had a look at the care sheet, please come back and ask some enclosure questions. :)

Walter always has access to water but rarely uses. I do give him a bath every other day as well to ensure he is hydrated.

I am in the process of building his a new enclosure right now that is much bigger!
 

RosemaryDW

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
4,144
Location (City and/or State)
Newport Coast, CA
Walter always has access to water but rarely uses. I do give him a bath every other day as well to ensure he is hydrated.

I am in the process of building his a new enclosure right now that is much bigger!

That’s great!

Soaking never hurts but once you’re sure he’s healthy and happy a Russian probably doesn’t need it that often. My outdoor Russian drinks when she comes out of hibernation; we’ve never seen her drink otherwise.

I soak her every week anyway! But it’s more for my sake than hers. :)
 
Top