Tortoise Mommy
New Member
Thanks! I have her food and water in dishes, I just bought extras. 
Humidity requirements- Russian Tortoise
- Thread starter Tortoise Mommy
- Start date
Amen!!! That was what I was going thru too.
I don't soak my Russian everyday because...in the summer where I live the humidity is off the charts. Even in the room I keep him in inside. When I bring him in I just make sure he's clean. I am going to use a lot of the ideas I've seen on tortoise forum for the winter though and already have...but isn't it funny how a tortoise half hates to get wet yet a turtle needs to dry out a bit.
That is unusual for a Russian; perhaps she has not had a drink in a long while. Even if she had a water dish, I'd it was the wrong kind she might not have been able to use it.
I would expect that behavior to drop off fairly soon. But as others have said, extra soaking won't hurt.
Yes it is
I have a question. Do wild tortoises have pyrimiding? Since I've never really seen it I was just wondering. I had never even heard of it until I got on tortoise forum. I'm only on tortoise forum because I got a schmarter phone then me and have somewhat learned how to use it
Tortoise Mommy
New Member
When I brought her home Saturday and got her all set up she went straight to the water bowl and stayed there for most of the night, was there Sunday morning when I woke up. She came out Sunday and ate her food, went to her bask corner for a while then back in the water before tucking herself in for the night in her little house! So what you're saying about her maybe not having adequate water before I got her makes perfect sense.
I read an article on this as I was wondering the same thing. According to the article some torts get some minor pyramiding, but nothing like what we see in captivity. It suggested that this is because they spend most of their time burrowed and hiding in and under things. I haven't really looked too deep into it, so that article is all tiger info I have myself.
She may be borderline dehydrated. Routine soaks will help and may keep her from self soaking.
Minority2
Well-Known Member
Sounds like the place you purchased your tortoise from did little to care for that tortoise's needs. For adult tortoise already showing signs of dehydration, I suggest raising soakings, feedings, and ambient temperature levels by 5F+ for the time being.
Where was this adult tortoise purchased from?
Tortoise Mommy
New Member
We soaked tonight and will again on Wednesday. We're thinking 3 times this first week, then going to twice a week.
Tortoise Mommy
New Member
We soaked tonight and will again on Wednesday. We're thinking 3 times this first week, then going to twice a week.
I'm also keeping fresh food available all day, she seems to be eatting good!
Oh and we bought her from a specialty reptile store that has a wonderful reputation, and great staff. However they had only had her for about a week.
I would soak her daily until she stops sitting in the water bowl.
It’s rare for wild caught Russians to have pyramiding. They are growing up in the climate they are best adapted to. It’s when we take tortoises out of their natural environment that they get exposed to the conditions that lead to things like pyramiding and MBD.
Wild caught Russians are around four years and older when they are caught so their shells are well “started.” And since they have lower humidity needs that many tortoises, the dry conditions that impact sulcatas and leopards are not so harmful to them.
