Is this a good enclosure?

[KoopaDaTroopa]

Hello, I have recently gotten a baby Russian tortoise and I found out about this form very recently ago. I was wondering if this is an appropriate enclosure for my baby Russian tortoise, I believe I feed him collard and mustard greens, flowers, and weeds. Although to be honest, I don’t really give him daily soaks. I recently found out that you need to do that so I will get to work with giving hatchling soak. The substrate is mainly cocoa fiber. The substrate is also humid.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Welcome to the forum!

Here is how to make that set up closed to make sure that the temperatures and humidity stay stable:

How to make a closed-chamber baby habitat out of a 55gal Sterilite bin

Since several folks have asked about how to make a closed chamber baby enclosure out of a 55gal Sterilite tote, here are some pics and description of how I do. This is not the most beautiful option, but since the babies will only be in here for 9-12 months, I'm okay with that. My own Russian...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[KoopaDaTroopa]

Thank you for letting me know about the closed enclosure part. I will start working on that very soon but other than that how old list enclosure appear to look to you?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Thank you for letting me know about the closed enclosure part. I will start working on that very soon but other than that how old list enclosure appear to look to you?

From the photo, the only thing that comes to my mind is that the coco fiber you are using as those long fiber that can cause impaction. Soil like coco coir is preferred.

You might already plan on doing this, but I would add a food dish to make eating less messy.

 

[KoopaDaTroopa]

Welcome to the forum!

Here is how to make that set up closed to make sure that the temperatures and humidity stay stable:

How to make a closed-chamber baby habitat out of a 55gal Sterilite bin

Since several folks have asked about how to make a closed chamber baby enclosure out of a 55gal Sterilite tote, here are some pics and description of how I do. This is not the most beautiful option, but since the babies will only be in here for 9-12 months, I'm okay with that. My own Russian...

tortoiseforum.org

Thank you for the feedback. Based on the photo provided how many coco coir bricks do you think would be enough. Also he has a food dish however this photo was taken in the morning and i feed him at noon. This is why the food dish was not present. Its ceramic like the bowl.

 

[Tom]

Thank you for the feedback. Based on the photo provided how many coco coir bricks do you think would be enough. Also he has a food dish however this photo was taken in the morning and i feed him at noon. This is why the food dish was not present. Its ceramic like the bowl.

-You need a basking rock of some sort under the heat lamp.
-Food bowl needs to be sunk into the substrate, just like the water bowl.
-Babies need food first thing in the morning. Babies should have food available all day. Adults can wait until noon if need be, but babies need food all day.
-Collards and mustard greens are okay once in a while but not as daily staples. Best to use natural foods, like the weeds you mentioned, but if you must use grocery store greens favor endive, escarole, and add in cilantro ad arugula for variety. You should also be adding in dried leaves ad mixes to grocery store greens for variety. I like the "Herbal Hay" from tortoisesupply.com and kapidolofarms.com has many types of dried leaf options to add in. I use them several times per week.
-The enclosure is too barren. You need to add large rocks, logs, and some hanging or potted plants like pothos or spider plant.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Thank you for the feedback. Based on the photo provided how many coco coir bricks do you think would be enough. Also he has a food dish however this photo was taken in the morning and i feed him at noon. This is why the food dish was not present. Its ceramic like the bowl.

Hard to say, I would need to know the measurements of the box.

 

[KoopaDaTroopa]

-You need a basking rock of some sort under the heat lamp.
-Food bowl needs to be sunk into the substrate, just like the water bowl.
-Babies need food first thing in the morning. Babies should have food available all day. Adults can wait until noon if need be, but babies need food all day.
-Collards and mustard greens are okay once in a while but not as daily staples. Best to use natural foods, like the weeds you mentioned, but if you must use grocery store greens favor endive, escarole, and add in cilantro ad arugula for variety. You should also be adding in dried leaves ad mixes to grocery store greens for variety. I like the "Herbal Hay" from tortoisesupply.com and kapidolofarms.com has many types of dried leaf options to add in. I use them several times per week.
-The enclosure is too barren. You need to add large rocks, logs, and some hanging or potted plants like pothos or spider plant.

Thanks, would it also be fine if I fed him grass from outside? It has not been used with any chemicals. I take him outside once a day, he really likes the plants from outside.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Thanks, would it also be fine if I fed him grass from outside? It has not been used with any chemicals. I take him outside once a day, he really likes the plants from outside.

Russian tortoises aren't a grass eating species, so I doubt he would eat any.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thanks, would it also be fine if I fed him grass from outside? It has not been used with any chemicals. I take him outside once a day, he really likes the plants from outside.

As mentioned they aren’t really grass eaters so I wouldn’t bother with that, hopefully you’ll like going over these links and find them useful come size upgrade

I made this thread based on the forums care information and added visual aids, it covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, double check bulb types), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! This goes over a greenhouse style set up, but a viv is an even better choice, I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

These are some different closed chamber options, some more efficient than others

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they come in useful, welcome to the forum