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  1. K

    Are these a good bug or a bad bug?

    I've been culturing an army of springtails and isopods to make his enclosure bioactive but, earlier today, I noticed a bunch of bugs swarming his food dish. Are these bad? Google lens is no help. A few months ago I put some leaves from my mulberry tree and grape vines into the enclosure without...
  2. K

    Questions about my russian's behavior after I made a change to his enclosure.

    My russian's enclosure, until recently was open topped. He has a plastic tub for a humidity hide that he started sleeping in. Since the weather is going to cool down soon, I finally got around to covering his enclosure. I got a bunch of plexiglass slabs that I covered about three quarters of his...
  3. K

    How should I apply this food grade diatomaceous earth to my russian's enclosure?

    How long after applying it before I should put him back in his enclosure? How much should I add? Should I moisten the substrate first? After? Should I mix up the top layer of substrate a bit after I apply it? I'm sick of these dang gnats. Thank you.
  4. K

    Are anti gnat nematodes ok to treat my russian's enclosure with?

    Got some of these for my plants and it came with a lot more than I expected. If it wouldnt hurt my tortoise, I figured I might as well put some in the next time his substrate needs to be watered. I've read that they're safe for children and pets but just wanted to be absolutely certain that that...
  5. K

    Are these little scraps of leaves going to be a problem?

    For a while I was putting mulberry and grape vine branches in my russians enclosure and I guess I left them in for a little too long(three days). He trampled and crumbled the dried leaves. I've been picking the flakes out bit by bit but just cant seem to get them all. How big of a problem are...
  6. K

    Do I need to clean out every last scrap of dried leaves?

    I've been putting branches from my mulberry tree amd grape vines into my tortoise enclosure. They dry up quickly and break into a million pieces. How important is it that I pick out every last little scrap of leaf? Will they dry up enough and just become part of the substrate or would that...
  7. K

    Upset tummy?

    My russian is acting a little different. Or, at least he was for a little bit. He seems normal right now. Just curious of things to keep an eye out for. He's a picky eater. I give him spring mix, greens from the tortoise supply broadleaf testudo seed mix and soggy mazuri pellets(mixed with a...
  8. K

    Any idea why my russian started pacing all of a sudden?

    He used to fully explore and be more interested in climbing over his little log and rock motocross course but now he just wants up this wall. Been going on for a little under a week. I've tried blocking off the window and completely covering the top of that side of the enclosure. That rock...
  9. K

    Is there a way to disinfect substrate to be reused?

    Just wondering. I'm going to stock up for when the time comes to replace it but maybe, when I do, I can treat the old stuff with something and spread it out in the sun for a long time? Would rubbing alcohol completely evaporate from the coco coir and wood chips if given enough time? Would an...
  10. K

    Why does my russian seem so "needy"?

    I know "uppies" can't actually be what he wants but, whenever he sees me, he makes a beeline and tries to climb the wall. He'll prop himself up and just stare at me. When I'm cleaning his enclosure, he'll follow me and try to be near my hands. I don't think it's aggression because, if I let him...
  11. K

    Thoughts on my russian's new enclosure? Suggestions?

    It's 8 feet by 4 feet. 2 feet tall. Non basking temperature is 70 degrees fahrenheit. I just set up a ceramic heat emitter to make one side a little warmer after taking the picture. Is the uvb light too low? It's an arcadia desert. Getting a second one soon. There was two partitions with door...
  12. K

    How big of a deal is it for a russian to spend a lot of time trying to escape his enclosure? +UVB question

    For the last few days, Coaster has been spending most of the day trying to climb out of his enclosure. He did this for the first few days I had him but stopped. He spent most of the last month burying himself so I thought there was a temperature problem. I think he wasnt getting enough UVB from...
  13. K

    Instructions for building a good tortoise table/enclosure for my adult russian?

    What I got him in now isnt working. I cant keep the temperatures consistent throughout the whole enclosure so he only uses half of it. I dont want his room looking like a movie set with all the cords and lights I will need lol. I get the jist of the dimensions and how to build it. Help or...
  14. K

    Where/how am I supposed to place the probes for my thermostat?

    Just lay them on top of the substrate? Stick them down in it? Tape them to the side of the enclosure? Get them to dangle somehow? Not sure how I'm supposed to do this. Thanks.
  15. K

    I got an infra red thermometer.

    I have an adult russian, what should the readings be for him and the stone in his basking area? Thank you
  16. K

    Does Coaster seem dehydrated?

    He still hasnt eaten. He's extremely active outside so I'm thinking that I might need to add more ambient lighting. Does his beak look like it was badly dremelled to you? Worrying so much, uhg.
  17. K

    Is this bulb good for a russian's ambient light?

    If it's appropriate, how far should it be away from his enclosure and should it be at an angle or pointing straight down?
  18. K

    What can I do to encourage eating?

    Coaster, my new, adult russian still hasnt eaten after a week. I know I probably shouldn't be worried but I can't help it :( he gave a piece of cucumber a nice long sniff today but that's all. The first two soaks I gave him induced a poop, so I know he ate before I got him and isn't constipated...
  19. K

    Mix cypress and/or fir bark into my coconut soil substrate while it's still a little moist?

    Getting my russians new, bigger enclosure ready. Worried about mold or something and I'm wondering if mixing some of the bark that I intend to spread over the top would make it dry faster. It's not that damp. Thank you.
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