I have found coconut coir (fine ground in a soil, no long fibers) to be an excellent substrate for my red-footed tortoises. I use a product called "Coco Cradle" from Josh's Frogs. Kept somewhat moist (not dripping wet!), it is dust free and very resistant to molds or fungus. Though I feed the...
I've been using a finely ground coconut shell based substrate. Perfect for my red-foots, as it retains moisture and does not produce fungal or bacterial infections. Would probably work for Russian Tortoises, though perhaps would not be kept quite as moist. If coco fiber is kept at least slightly...
Agree with treatment advice above. As for prevention, I have used a 100% finely ground coconut coir bedding for my two red-foots, which holds moisture but does not support fungal growth. Never have any sign of fungus or bacterial issues since switching to the coco bedding and getting rid of the...
No dispute that a varied diet is best. I use an organic, very dark greenhouse-grown Romaine that supposedly is very high in calcium and vitamin A compared to other lettuces. My Red-footed Tortoises are more naturally adapted to eating fruit than a Leopard Tortoise, but I suspect the dried gecko...
Wellington's idea is a good one. It's fine to chop up the lettuce and other greens. Romaine is actually not a bad food and stubborn tortoises can live on it for a while; in the interim, I have found that lightly sprinkling the greens with a powdered fruit and vitamin mix sold for crested geckos...
My red-footed tortoises love all mushrooms, but especially shiitakis. Very nutritious and well accepted for this forest and edge species, but perhaps should be a more occasional treat for grassland grazing species.
Higher wattage bulb might be suitable, but get a good thermometer and be sure what the substrate and tortoise's temperature are. Infra-red is the part of the spectrum that corresponds with heat production. You can buy combination heat and UV bulbs, but use with caution... they need UV, but needs...
In Florida Gopher Tortoises sometimes live in grassy areas near beaches, but they rarely go out in the open beach, and of course would not voluntarily enter sea water. Ignorant people sometimes move them to inappropriate places, so if a tortoise is seen near the ocean and far from grassland or...
Great, do let us know what the vet check reveals. Good luck!
I suspect that the slate or terracotta dishes are not abrasive enough to cause much wear on the tortoise's beak. I use flattish pieces of limestone, which seems to do the job.
Sorry that your tortoise is having this problem; I agree with others that it sounds like (at best) a muscle strain, or (at worst) a fracture or over-stretched ligament or tendon. The fact that the tortoise is still eating and drinking normally is a good sign. Hope an x-ray might reveal the...
I have had very good luck using a product from Joshsfrogs.com called Coco Cradle. It's a finely ground, clean coconut product that holds moisture well once thoroughly moistened. I use it for my red-footed tortoises and it helps keep the humidity at good levels. I re-moisten two or three times...
Hi— I've never had a problem with the coconut bedding sticking to their eyes or any other parts. There are many different types of coconut shell bedding. I use a product called CocoCradle from a supplier in Michigan (USA) called Josh's Frogs. Not sure if they can ship to the UK, and it might be...
My experience with RFTs suggests that "orchid bark" is often too dusty and doesn't hold moisture very well, leading to an overly dry environment. I switched to a fairly fine coconut husk soil, which holds humidity well and seems to prevent mold and is not dusty if properly sprayed or soaked...
As others have said, this is a native Eastern Painted Turtle. I think you said there was no water nearby... but this species doesn't need (or even prefer) streams or rivers. A small pond, even human-made, can provide sufficient habitat. It seems a bit early for nesting, but you are farther south...