My first Russian tortoise
- Thread starter Bountyboy
- Start date
Russian
Age impossible to tell
Sex need a pic of the vent but looks female from what I can see.
Care sheets in the Russian section
Size again a little hard to tell but seemed good size.
Age impossible to tell
Sex need a pic of the vent but looks female from what I can see.
Care sheets in the Russian section
Size again a little hard to tell but seemed good size.
Bountyboy
Member
And here is his home for now I think I'm going to go bigger I have to pull the other tank from the back yard
Bountyboy
Member
Thank you I'm going to take some more pictures later
Welcome!
This should help with any questions.
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/
This should help with any questions.
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/
Michael231
Member
The care sheet linked above is great!
Definitely allow for some outside time (2-3 hours at least 4 times a week) if the temperature is above 65 Fahrenheit (18-19 Celsius). You can construct a simple wooden box and plant it with some natural forage (grasses and flowers, many of which can be found on the forum, or on the Tortoise Table website). Make sure your animal can't escape the box while outside. For an outside substrate you can use a variety of materials. I use about 25% orchid bark (Reptibark), mixed with 25% clay, 50% topsoil. Get creative with outdoor substrate if you plan on using it. Also get creative with the size of your outside enclosure (if you build one), however more space is always preferred. If you have a local predator abundance (raccoons, coyotes, birds of prey, etc.) keep this in mind as your tortoise is on the cusp of the size I personally would allow outside unsupervised.
I'd also invest in a UVB/UVA basking bulb, as it will allow for proper vitamin D3 synthesis and proper calcium absorption into the bloodstream. I use a ReptiSun 5.0 for most of my tortoises, but some people prefer longer tube fixtures, depending on how you want your UVB distributed across the enclosure. A 60-75 watt basking bulb is also a good investment for indoors to maintain a good basking temp of 90-95 Fahrenheit (32-34 Celsius).
Your local climate will determine how you keep your tortoise to some extent as well, and outside time should be adjusted accordingly.
Looks like your new pet is looking forward to a happy life!
Definitely allow for some outside time (2-3 hours at least 4 times a week) if the temperature is above 65 Fahrenheit (18-19 Celsius). You can construct a simple wooden box and plant it with some natural forage (grasses and flowers, many of which can be found on the forum, or on the Tortoise Table website). Make sure your animal can't escape the box while outside. For an outside substrate you can use a variety of materials. I use about 25% orchid bark (Reptibark), mixed with 25% clay, 50% topsoil. Get creative with outdoor substrate if you plan on using it. Also get creative with the size of your outside enclosure (if you build one), however more space is always preferred. If you have a local predator abundance (raccoons, coyotes, birds of prey, etc.) keep this in mind as your tortoise is on the cusp of the size I personally would allow outside unsupervised.
I'd also invest in a UVB/UVA basking bulb, as it will allow for proper vitamin D3 synthesis and proper calcium absorption into the bloodstream. I use a ReptiSun 5.0 for most of my tortoises, but some people prefer longer tube fixtures, depending on how you want your UVB distributed across the enclosure. A 60-75 watt basking bulb is also a good investment for indoors to maintain a good basking temp of 90-95 Fahrenheit (32-34 Celsius).
Your local climate will determine how you keep your tortoise to some extent as well, and outside time should be adjusted accordingly.
Looks like your new pet is looking forward to a happy life!
Bountyboy
Member
Yes he is going to have a great life. I have plans on a new and bigger set up. Well for him and shieva my eastern box. I have some pics but I don't want to post just yet. Then I will start working on the outside encloser for all 3 of my babies
