Setting up for a Russian Tortoise - Constructive comments welcome

[David Steere]

My only concern is you David. Are you enjoying the company of your four legged shelled friend? Are you having a positive tortoise keeping experience? How is life treating you? I hope all is well and you have a happy Independence Day today!

I am doing great!

It has been 1 1/2 years since Sandy became part of my family and not a day has gone by when I do not look forward to the alarm going off at 6:30am so I can enjoy some time with Sandy before my day starts. Weekends, Sick does not matter. I soak, check lights, feed, clean enclosure and I look forward to a new day with Sandy and check in on him every two hours or so.

Thanks to this "Wonderful Forum" for whipping me in shape on how to take care of a tortoise has allowed me to try to give Sandy a good life where in the past I failed with exotic pets. ALL OF YOU THANKS!

Being a replacement for my wife who passed away reinforced me to make sure I never neglect Sandy. I have started to train my kids, grandkids and even my great grandkids on how to take care of Sandy so having Sandy has even brought my family together even more.

THANK YOU my Tortoise forum family! You have made every day a special day worth living!

 

[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 @Myrna the RES @er9m @zolasmum @Sarah2020

Some of questions.

1. Sandy is out growing his plastic soaking container. Tried a large plastic container but he seems to have trouble walking and standing up. What do all of you use as your soaking container.

2. Sandy a number times a day tries to climb the walls of his enclosure. Maybe I see him three times a day. Rest of the time he walks around entire enclosure, hides under grass, seems to be relaxing and enjoying life. My question is when he climbs he ends up falling back but his head is between the wall and his shell. Not very graceful. Is there any concerns about Sandy hurting himself?

3. Sandy not all the time but many times a day I see him rub his face which is arm. Seems like something irritating him. I do have gasses maybe he sometimes pokes his eye? Looks normal to me and not swollen. He also seem to sit on his rock with his eyes closed. Head and legs stretched out. Probably nothing but figured I would ask.

Enclosure Settings

- 75-80 degrees entire enclosure via heat lamps ( 14 hours )
- coco fiber moist, bark on top dry.
- 90-100 basking light ( 14 hours )
- UBV light ( 3.5-4 2 hours )
- Lots of hiding places.
- Food and Water all day.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hi!
I use a tall-sided plastic paint bucket (and it's time for upgrade to a larger one too).

He can get some shell dents or scratches (not a problem unless there is an infection) or end up on his back (can be dangerous).

Not sure why he rubs his eyes. Resting on the rock with limbs stretched is usually normal - he feels safe and thermoregulates/absorbs UV rays.

 

[Anastasia 22]

I use this one. $1.25 at Dollar tree.

 

[Anastasia 22]

This is how it works for my boy.

 

[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 @Daffodil @Myrna the RES @er9m @zolasmum @Sarah2020

Some of questions.

1. Sandy is out growing his plastic soaking container. Tried a large plastic container but he seems to have trouble walking and standing up. What do all of you use as your soaking container.

2. Sandy a number times a day tries to climb the walls of his enclosure. Maybe I see him three times a day. Rest of the time he walks around entire enclosure, hides under grass, seems to be relaxing and enjoying life. My question is when he climbs he ends up falling back but his head is between the wall and his shell. Not very graceful. Is there any concerns about Sandy hurting himself?

3. Sandy not all the time but many times a day I see him rub his face which is arm. Seems like something irritating him. I do have gasses maybe he sometimes pokes his eye? Looks normal to me and not swollen. He also seem to sit on his rock with his eyes closed. Head and legs stretched out. Probably nothing but figured I would ask.

Enclosure Settings

- 75-80 degrees entire enclosure via heat lamps ( 14 hours )
- coco fiber moist, bark on top dry.
- 90-100 basking light ( 14 hours )
- UBV light ( 3.5-4 2 hours )
- Lots of hiding places.
- Food and Water all day.

Hi David.
1. I use 18 gallon plastic totes from the hardware store.
2. Russians like to wander. This is normal. Do your best to arrange things so he can't hurt himself.
3. Could be the coir causing the face rubbing. That stuff is messy. The sleeping ad stretching out on the rock is normal too.

 

[zolasmum]

Zola sometimes seems to have a slight irritation in his eye -every morning I wipe each eye carefully with a cottonwool pad(the sort sold for babies), moistened in boiled cooled water, and he is used to it and doesn't object - you could try doing this whenever Sandy rubs his eye, in case there is dust irritating it.It's difficult for a tortoise to rub their eyes because of their scales and claws, etc, after all ! You could do it on a daily basis, in the morning too - Zola is 25 now, and I've been doing it for years, and it seems to do the job.
I'm so glad Sandy brings you so much happiness - looking after Zola and seeing him enjoy his life makes us so happy too.
Angie x

 

[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 @Myrna the RES @er9m @zolasmum @Sarah2020

Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

August 2025

Monthly Checking: Sandy gained 19 grams and grew 0 inch this month!

Age: 23 months old
Weight: 506 grams
Length: 5 3/4 inches +/-

 

[Tom]

Sandy is looking fine and dandy.

David, do you have an outdoor enclosure for Sandy in nice sunny weather? Is this a possibility? There is nothing wrong, but the great outdoors can be very beneficial for older larger tortoises like Sandy. Something to consider.

 

[David Steere]

Sandy is looking fine and dandy.

David, do you have an outdoor enclosure for Sandy in nice sunny weather? Is this a possibility? There is nothing wrong, but the great outdoors can be very beneficial for older larger tortoises like Sandy. Something to consider.

Not yet.

I still have to add a 48"x48" wing to increase my indoor enclosure first. Currently 48"x 72". Hopefully this year.

I do have plenty of space for an outdoor enclosure. What would be a good size be for a outdoor enclosure?

 

[wellington]

Not yet.

I still have to add a 48"x48" wing to increase my indoor enclosure first. Currently 48"x 72". Hopefully this year.

I do have plenty of space for an outdoor enclosure. What would be a good size be for a outdoor enclosure?

You should get her outside asap. There is nothing wrong, she looks great. But all tortoises should be able to live outside during warm weather. Fix her a proper outside enclosure with a proper night box you can lock her in at night. Then while she is living the best life outside, you can work on her inside enclosure.
Make the outdoor enclosure as big as possible. 4x8 minimum but go bigger if you can.

 

[Tom]

Not yet.

I still have to add a 48"x48" wing to increase my indoor enclosure first. Currently 48"x 72". Hopefully this year.

I do have plenty of space for an outdoor enclosure. What would be a good size be for a outdoor enclosure?

I like these big chicken coops from Tractor Supply to make outdoor enclosures. This one is 8x8 with a 4x4 night box added. You could add another coop and make it 8x16 feet.

 

[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 @Myrna the RES @er9m @zolasmum @Sarah2020

Sandy is two years old!!!!!

Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

September 2025

Monthly Checking: Sandy lost 12 1/2 grams and grew 0" inch this month!

Age: 24 months old
Weight: 493.5 grams
Length: 5 3/4 inches +/-

Sort of concerned Sandy lost weight this month. Nothing has changed. Been on autopilot.

 

[zolasmum]

Happy Birthday, Sandy - you look well and very beautiful.
Love from Angie and Zola xxxx

 

[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 @Daffodil @Myrna the RES @er9m @zolasmum @Sarah2020

Sandy is two years old!!!!!

Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

September 2025

Monthly Checking: Sandy lost 12 1/2 grams and grew 0" inch this month!

Age: 24 months old
Weight: 493.5 grams
Length: 5 3/4 inches +/-

Sort of concerned Sandy lost weight this month. Nothing has changed. Been on autopilot.
View attachment 394794

View attachment 394795

Sandy is nearing full size, so I would expect growth to slow dramatically at this stage. A single poop and pee can drop 12 grams. A single meal would replace that weight. I'd weigh again after a week and see where you are.

Do you weigh at around the same time of day following the same routine? For example, morning feeding, afternoon soak, and weigh right after the soak each time? If a person weighed after a morning soak, but before feeding, and then the next time weighed at the end of the day after a big meal, but without soaking, I would expect to see a huge weight difference.

 

[David Steere]

Sandy is nearing full size, so I would expect growth to slow dramatically at this stage. A single poop and pee can drop 12 grams. A single meal would replace that weight. I'd weigh again after a week and see where you are.

Do you weigh at around the same time of day following the same routine? For example, morning feeding, afternoon soak, and weigh right after the soak each time? If a person weighed after a morning soak, but before feeding, and then the next time weighed at the end of the day after a big meal, but without soaking, I would expect to see a huge weight difference.

Hi @Tom

I have yet to miss one soak since I got Sandy. I weigh him once a month after his soak and before he has eaten.

I figured he had at least a couple more inches ( 8" to 10" male right? ) to grow so I figured he would keep increasing weight. Will keep a watch and report in the coming months.

Really like to soak Sandy every morning once the lights and heat come on at 6:15am. The enclosure is still very clean. Only rarely does he poop and only by the food dish. Pretty much empties out when being soaked.

 

[Tom]

Hi @Tom

I have yet to miss one soak since I got Sandy. I weigh him once a month after his soak and before he has eaten.

I figured he had at least a couple more inches ( 8" to 10" male right? ) to grow so I figured he would keep increasing weight. Will keep a watch and report in the coming months.

Really like to soak Sandy every morning once the lights and heat come on at 6:15am. The enclosure is still very clean. Only rarely does he poop and only by the food dish. Pretty much empties out when being soaked.

5-6 inches is pretty common for most Russian males. Even the females don't usually reach 8". There is an occasional behemoth of either sex, but this is a very small species generally.

 

[SinLA]

My adult male is just around 5”, maybe a little smaller.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

My adult male only weighs 500 grams, but he is probably in the smaller end.

 

[SinLA]

Oh yeah mine ranges from 430 - 490g, and usually hangs around 450. His previous owners got him from Petco, so I’m assuming wild caught and presumably was full grown before removed from his natural habitat.