Setting up for a Russian Tortoise - Constructive comments welcome

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT

Got a question.

Sandy Born: September 1, 2023
Basking: 6am-8pm - temp: 90 - 100 degrees
Heat: - Set at 77 degrees / timer: 6am to 8pm.

This is my first winter with Sandy. Want to keep Sandy up 365 days a year.

Noticed night time room temperature is around 67 degrees. Enclosure is enclosed so I assume the space stays warmer longer. When I soak Sandy at 6:15 temperature is around 74 degrees.

Question: Should I be concerned?

I know Russians can take cooler temperatures but do not want Sandy to get sick due to the drop in temps. Once Sandy is being soaked Sandy starts to move around. Sandy poops, urates and I assume pees fine each morning. Sandy hits the food dish 4 to 6 times a day also. Sandy is also active during the day.

Video of Sandy right after soak.

You might benefit from night heat, like CHEs, on a thermostat to prevent the temperatures from dropping too low. This way you can have the peace of mind of him being warm enough. Personally I would set this thermostat somewhere in the 65 to 75 F, so that it kicks in when needed.

 

[wellington]

68 at night is fine but I would push it to 70. 75 at night is too high. But I agree you could have a che on a thermostat for if it does go too low.
Your day temp could be higher though. It should range from 75 cooler side to 80 to the basking.
When keeping them up, it helps to be a bit warmer at night and brighter during the day.

 

[wellington]

You might benefit from night heat, like CHEs, on a thermostat to prevent the temperatures from dropping too low. This way you can have the peace of mind of him being warm enough. Personally I would set this thermostat somewhere in the 65 to 75 F, so that it kicks in when needed.

75 is too high for night. That should be the temp of the cooler side for day time.
When keeping them up, 70 is good, but 65 to 70 will work, just seems to take them longer to wake, bask, etc. At least for mine.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

75 is too high for night. That should be the temp of the cooler side for day time.
When keeping them up, 70 is good, but 65 to 70 will work, just seems to take them longer to wake, bask, etc. At least for mine.

For adults, yes. My temperature suggestions were based on what Tom says about babies in his temperate species care sheet: " For babies, I like the night temp to drop to the high 60s or low 70s. They can certainly tolerate it colder than that at night as long as they can warm up each day, but 70ish works well for most situations."

In my head low 70's means 70 to 75 F. And to me this tortoise is still "a baby", at just over year old.

 

[wellington]

For adults, yes. My temperature suggestions were based on what Tom says about babies in his temperate species care sheet: " For babies, I like the night temp to drop to the high 60s or low 70s. They can certainly tolerate it colder than that at night as long as they can warm up each day, but 70ish works well for most situations."

In my head low 70's means 70 to 75 F. And to me this tortoise is still "a baby", at just over year old.

See, this thread is so big, I forgot this was still a young one lol. Babies and adults both can take temps down into the 60's. I have found with my own, he is an adult though, that during winter, not going below 68-70 at night works best. 75 is too high for night for babies and adults but a good low during the day.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

See, this thread is so big, I forgot this was still a young one lol. Babies and adults both can take temps down into the 60's. I have found with my own, he is an adult though, that during winter, not going below 68-70 at night works best. 75 is too high for night for babies and adults but a good low during the day.

Me too, but thankfully David usually re lists all the necessary information in his posts. This time, the age.

 

[wellington]

Me too, but thankfully David usually re lists all the necessary information in his posts. This time, the age.

And I still missed it lol.

 

[David Steere]

@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT

New pictures of Sandy. What a wonderful time it has been watching Sandy grow. Trying really hard to do a great job.

 

[Daffodil]

S/he is adorable! Is she about 8 months now? What does she weigh? My little guy is about 6 months and only weighs 42 g. I'm wondering if he should be heavier by now....

 

[Anastasia 22]

@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT

New pictures of Sandy. What a wonderful time it has been watching Sandy grow. Trying really hard to do a great job.

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Aw, Sandy is sooooooo beautiful Thank you for sharing!

 

[wellington]

She very pretty color. Great job your doing for her.

 

[David Steere]

S/he is adorable! Is she about 8 months now? What does she weigh? My little guy is about 6 months and only weighs 42 g. I'm wondering if he should be heavier by now....

Date	Weight Grams	Length Inches
April 17, 2024	45.5	2 3/8
April 28, 2024	54.5	2 3/8"
June 1, 2024	86	3"
June 30, 2024	121	3 1/2"
July 28, 2024	160	3 1/2"
September 1, 2024	211.5	4"
September 29, 2024	246.5	4 1/4"
November 3, 2024	285.5	5 1/4"

Sandy was born September 1, 2023

I keep track once a month. I believe as long as the tortoise is gaining weight you should be good. Will let other people with more experience voice in on your question.

 

[Daffodil]

Thank you! Yow. Mine isn't growing nearly that well.

 

[David Steere]

Thank you! Yow. Mine isn't growing nearly that well.

Humm

If I was you I would create a post and take some pictures of your enclosure and tortoise, include what your temps, basking and lighting are and exactly what and how you are feeding your tortoise.

This forum has some of the best tortoise keepers on the planet. They should be able to tell you if you are doing anything that needs to be changed.

Remember there is not such thing as a stupid question. It is never to late. The size of the thread is proof. To this day I still ask questions and seek advice.

I wish you luck!

 

[Tom]

@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT

New pictures of Sandy. What a wonderful time it has been watching Sandy grow. Trying really hard to do a great job.

View attachment 383231
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Sandy looks fantastic. The new growth is coming in smooth and healthy. A job well done David.

 

[_The_Beast_]

Sandy is looking gorgeous! Your care for her really shows. Every time I see your updates I can't wait to check and see if her little bat signals are still visible on her shell

@Daffodil : As a comparison weight, my 13 month old is now 205 grams (started at 42 grams in January). There seems to be a lot of variance in how quickly torts grow and gain weight, with steady weight during their hatchling to yearling stage being a good sign. If your little one is not thriving, it often has to do with husbandry, including how the hatchling was cared for prior to coming to you. If you make a thread, as @David Steere has suggested, and share all relevant info (temps, lighting, substrate, enclosure size, food, bath schedule, etc.), folks on this forum will help you get everything where it needs to be to give your little one the best chance at a long, healthy life.

 

[Daffodil]

Ah! I was thinking mine was approaching the same age, but mine was hatched in June 2024, so he's only 5 months old, much younger. He did get more active when I changed the lighting and heating per suggestions from the wonderful folks here. And, thanks to Four-Toed's advice to dig him up every day and soak him, he's been eating more and doesn't hide out all the time.

I also did order one of Mark's Smart Enclosures which should be here before Christmas, so hopefully that will make a better closed environment for him than I have now. Maybe I just need to be more patient.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

And, thanks to Four-Toed's advice to dig him up every day and soak him, he's been eating more and doesn't hide out all the time.

Sometimes tortoises need a little help with the winter approaching! Glad to hear he is eating.

 

[David Steere]

@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT @Daffodil

Couple of questions.

1. Right after soaking Sandy always goes to this rock. Is this normal where Sandy hides her/his head? Any concerns? Temps at this point is overall temperature is 75 degrees or higher and basking is 95 to 100 degrees. Sandy stays there for a hour or so than is very active during the day. Walks around entire enclosure. See picture.



2. I currently mix both of these into a mash and mix with Escarole and other grocery leaf bought from grocery story. What would be a good mix. I am thinking a ratio of as follows. Place in hot water then mash it into something like baby food.

• 5 pellets - Mazuri Original 5M21 Tortoise Food
• 10 pellets - Zoo Med Natural Grassland Tortoise Food

Also add a very small amount of Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 Reptile Supplement in the mix also

Pile of food is equal to Sandy's shell and I always end up throwing 1/2 away so Sandy does not eat all the food. Sandy does eat both leaves and mashed pellets equally as far as I can see when I notice Sandy eating. Six time yesterday!

3. Side note Have Seed Mix: Broadleaf testudo mix planted and Dandelions but not yet ready to harvest yet as a leaf food source. Still have not got a indoor green thumb yet but I keep trying.

 

[wellington]

You could cut back a little on the greens so your not throwing so much away. Increase it or give her more if she finishes it
Any mix is really good, as long as you feed a variety of foods. I would feed the pellets only a couple times a week.
I'm thinking the rock is to console her. She's telling it how horrible it was to be in that soak lol.
I wouldn't worry about the rock. It might be a warm place or just a hiding face place. You could temp the rock with a temp gun and if it's warmer than that area, maybe raise the temp a couple degrees there. But I wouldn't really worry about it. It's cute she loves her rock.