Hello!

CarolineM

New Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2019
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
Clermont Florida
I'm new to the forum and to being a tortoise mom. I have 3 Russians - so I'm told - and they are small. I've build an outdoor habitat for them 10X10. See my picture. I'm in Florida so I think they are good to be outside.

Any recommendations?
 

Toddrickfl1

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 7, 2018
Messages
7,103
Location (City and/or State)
Ga
Welcome to the forum. If you post pics of your tortoises we can confirm they're Russians for you.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,391
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Hi Caroline, and welcome to the Forum!

I'm afraid 10'x10' isn't nearly big enough for three tortoises of any species. And Russians are especially prone to needing space to wander. They are hard wired to wander great distances searching for food because where they evolved food is scarce. Being enclosed in a small place like that they will not settle, will walk the walls, dig, climb, trying to escape. You can try it for now, but when you see the restless, stressful behaviour, you'll know you need to make their home larger. I would suggest lots of sight barriers to make it seem larger to them on the ground, however, 10'x10' isn't big enough to plant very many bushes or place many sight barriers.

You're not alone in thinking that because your tortoises are small a small space is all they need. It happens to new Russian keepers all the time.

Can we see pictures of your new babies? I'm not able to enlarge your avatar to see the picture well enough.
 

CarolineM

New Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2019
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
Clermont Florida
It's pretty big for them now, and they seem quite content. I've uploaded pictures. They are very small now - maybe 7 or 8 inches. I have 3.5 acres so plenty of room to roam, but here in Florida we have predators - alligators, coyotes and bobcats so I have to keep them in a safe haven. I've uploaded pictures of them.
 

Attachments

  • Rainbow.jpg
    Rainbow.jpg
    228.3 KB · Views: 7
  • Shelly.jpg
    Shelly.jpg
    218.8 KB · Views: 10
  • Sparkle.jpg
    Sparkle.jpg
    219.8 KB · Views: 8

Toddrickfl1

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 7, 2018
Messages
7,103
Location (City and/or State)
Ga
It's pretty big for them now, and they seem quite content. I've uploaded pictures. They are very small now - maybe 7 or 8 inches. I have 3.5 acres so plenty of room to roam, but here in Florida we have predators - alligators, coyotes and bobcats so I have to keep them in a safe haven. I've uploaded pictures of them.
Those definitely are Russians. 7-8 inches is about full grown. They won't get much bigger.
 

New Posts

Top