Search results

These are some of the examples I have for mine. You can use a drill to drill any holes you need and a hacksaw to trim sections of the lid or the tub. I used wooden dowels to support the UVB light that are stuck through holes I drilled in the sides and then I used mini bungee cords to secure the...

I would agree with everything everyone else is saying. I think increasing the humidity is your best option...since we've established it's an adult, you don't need to get the humidity as high as I have for my hatchlings, but maybe shoot for somewhere in the 40's. With the bedding being that dry...

Lol...sorry. I didn't see the little guy in your picture at first. He doesn't appear to be a hatchling, but he still looks pretty small. My guess is humidity. Can you take a picture as close as possible of what his eyes look like? I'm guessing white and puffy and look to be swollen shut?

My guess is humidity is too low, but with everything else you have going on with him, I can't be completely certain. I had the same issue with swollen eyes on my hatchling. I increased the humidity, kept the bedding slightly damp to cut down on the dust and did regular soakings, every day or...

Erinsher, I would most definitely agree that a vet visit MAY be in order for your little guy, but I feel that making the adjustments that have been discussed first, and as quickly as possible, makes more "financial sense" at this point. It's not always about money, and the health of your...

I had the same issue. Soaked my tort and used a baby hairbrush that had super soft bristles to lightly brush him clean. He did NOT like it at all, but it got the job done...lol.

That is great news! I'm sure with the extra attention he'll get, as well as the sunlight, you should notice drastic improvements rather quickly. Let me know if you need anything else!

You can use an app called PlantSnap to take a picture of it and see what it is, which is what I did. That came back as "Fig Buttercup" or Ficara Verna Verna. I then used The Tortoise Table app and searched to find that plant. I didn't find that specific name, but the below info came back, which...

Erinsher, I sent you a private message with my email address. Feel free to use it as needed. There's a huge time difference between us, but I'll try to respond as quickly as possible. I'll do my best to try and help you get started and setup correctly. It seems your local pet store may not be...

We don't have that Vionate here on the States that I'm aware of. I also wouldn't spray him as I don't think that'll do much good. He needs to ingest it so I'd sprinkle it over his food. Also, he probably finds the spraying to be a little annoying, which is likely to make him hide from you more...

Definitely! In some way, you have to be adding moisture to his enclosure given his age. You can keep it simple and just use a spray bottle to mist things down (remember, these aren't rain forests animals so we're not looking for torrential downpours) or you can get an automatic fogger/mister...

I forgot to answer your question on the food...you may not be able to get the "bagged" product I took pictures of...it doesn't have to be that. It can be fresh leafy greens (collard, mustard, turnip) or kale. Red or Green LEAF lettuce or some romaine lettuce. Just no head lettuce, like iceberg...

I'm not positive what the light is you have now, but the simple answer is yes, absolutely. They make MVB (Mercury Vapor Bulbs) that are both a heat source and a UVA/UVB source. That's actually what I use for my heat lights (picture below). I also use a UVB fluorescent tube light (also picture...

So, I don't think this food would "hurt" him, but typically, it's best to only supplement his diet with a commercial tortoise food, maybe a small amount once or twice a week. You definitely don't want it to be his primary diet. I use a little Mazuri Small Tortoise Diet LS that I'll sprinkle...

In terms of the bedding, it seems like it should be fine, either one really. I couldn't really see what kind of wood it was, but basically, cypress mulch is typically the most common. I use coconut fiber for my bedding. I usually mix 2:1 ratio of the fine coconut fiber with the coarse chip...

I just posted a ton of info in the below thread that you might find useful: https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/help.180630/#post-1804668

The white boxes are wireless temperature/humidity sensors velcroed to the sides that transmit to a little screen I monitor. Three sensors, one on each end, one in the middle. Found on Amazon. As I said, 50 gallon Rubbermaid tote, used a hacksaw to cut the lid for the heat lights, used a drill...

Ok, so before anything, I'll just remind you, I'm not a pro. I have several hatchlings that are only a few months old, which are doing well now, but I had issues in the beginning as well. So anything I say, I'd maybe wait for an expert on here to "confirm" before making any massive changes. So...

I faced a similar problem with a new hatchling. In my case, the eye problem was related to humidity. Adult Russians don't require much humidity but the younger hatchlings definitely do. I'm not as experienced as others on here, but I would assume a 1yr old would require those same higher...

Neither light needs to be kept on 24/7. Russians need day/night cycles like the rest of us. Therefore, having both lights on for somewhere around 12 hours and then both off for 12 hours should be fine. It doesn't have to be exactly 12 hours on/off, I use 14 on and 10 off in the summer and...