Recent content by Thomas Lamar

Good day! I purchased a custom tortoise table second hand, and it has a light fixture mounted to it that allows for three halogen flood bulbs to be placed inside it. The person that sold it to me linked me to these bulbs, saying that is all they ever used in the fixture, as it provided basking...

After reading your comment last night, I got to googling the size to age ratio of Russian tortoises, and I agree with you. Seems much more likely the guy I adopted is 5 or older. Seems his tail is swept to the side as well. Another sign of maturity. Unfortunately, there doesnt seem to be any...

Measured: Carapace length is about 5.5 inches. I was right on.

I haven't measured it with the tape yet, but if I was to estimate, I would say about 5-6 inches.

I suppose they likely don't know for certain. It was based on the age the previous owner gave them at the time of surrender, based on that person getting it as a baby, I think.

Question answered. Thank you very much! I really appreciate it.

Is the reptile bark I am using Okay? I think it is fir bark.

Hello! I adopted a 2 year old Russian tortoise from my local shelter yesterday! His care seems a bit more manageable than that of the larger African species, but I was wondering what the best substrate to use for his enclosure indoors would be? The pet store care guide recommends reptile bark...

I thought so! They seem much easier for a newbie to care for, so I am thinking I will go on over and take a look tonight. Thank you!

Hello! I recently joined after the passing of my baby leopard tortoise. I joined to learn from experienced keepers what I can do better in the event I was ready to try again. Well, it's been a few weeks and a tortoise has turned up at my local shelter. So, I called the shelter to get more...

Those look great. Thanks Tom! Now, it was mentioned earlier in this thread that a Leo needs this very strictly regulated heat and humidity during its peak growth, which is 1-3 years. I would sooner just go big and have one enclosure until the leo is older and humidity management isn't as...

So, if I were to attempt this again, I should pull my 80 gallon tank out of storage, and cut a piece of opaque acrylic or plywood the shape of the top, and cut holes for the light fixtures, as well as a small air exchange hole in a corner? Because crafting a closed chamber with the lights...

Thank you. And I was using an infrared laser thermometer, so I am assuming they were accurate. But, to be fair, I didn't start using one until the week Wilson passed away. The morning I found him deceased I planned to downgrade to the 100watt from the 150 and see the difference. Before that, I...

Actually, I have considered both Egyptians and Russians. Both stay considerably smaller, and they require much less space. Only thing is that Egyptians seem very rare and expensive, and with their critical conservation status, I feel that they should be in the hands of someone more capable of...

Space, yes. But his ability to be outside will be limited to summer months with a heated hide box. Where I live, it's below 50° outside from October to March. We only get warmer summer weather from May-August, maybe into September if we are lucky. So I will need to build a suitable indoor...