Greetings from Darwin!

Hi!

I’ve been lurking this forum for a few months now and I’m happy to have finally joined as a tortoise owner! 2 days ago we welcomed Darwin the Russian tortoise into our family. I spotted him in a pet store in a glass tank being fed only dry, ‘fruity pebbles’ and hay. I figured I could give him a better home, bought all the equipment I needed, set it up and went back the next day to bring him home. I’m guessing he’s WC but as far as I can see he’s in good shape. He’s alert, he is feeding well on the dandelion leaves, mustard greens and spring mix I got him, he’s enjoying being soaked and is comfortable eating from my hand. I’ve kept a bit of the hay and ‘fruity pebbles’ but he’s not touched them, it seems he’s preferring the real stuff! He’s in a very large plastic storage tub until I finish building his table this weekend. He has a 100w bulb creating a basking spot at one end which my thermometer says is about 93° on the rocks below and this fades to room temp at the other end. Coco coir substrate, terracotta water dish, cuttlefish bone, a hide, rocks, and I’ll be using a strip UV light in his finished enclosure. Now for my immediate questions: my infrared thermometer arrives tomorrow, what do I aim it at to obtain my four temps once he’s in his permanent enclosure? My house stays in the late 70s/early 80’s at night, is this too warm for him? Should I get him checked over by a vet? Thanks, we are very happy to be here!

Welcome to the forum! Where in the US are you where your nighttime temps are in the 70s and 80s? It isn't usually recommended to go to a vet if there isn't anything wrong with him. Most vets don't know enough about tortoises to help, and sometimes they can make things worse.

Big Charlie said:

Welcome to the forum! Where in the US are you where your nighttime temps are in the 70s and 80s? It isn't usually recommended to go to a vet if there isn't anything wrong with him. Most vets don't know enough about tortoises to help, and sometimes they can make things worse.

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I’m in the NW. Outside temps are well below freezing, this is the temp inside and I’d say it’s more early 70’s actually. We have a large apartment and the winter temperature tends to be on the warm side in our building, but with two small children it’s preferable to leaving a window open. I can get a better idea of the temp in his temporary enclosure later today with the infrared thermometer.

Sorry, I meant NE not NW... it’s still early!

Hi, and welcome!

Aim it at the substrate.

Yvonne G said:

Hi, and welcome!

Aim it at the substrate.

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Thank you. I heard to measure at shell level and wasn’t sure how, but that makes more sense.

Hello, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and Darwin.

ooopppps!!!!
Double post! .