Good day!
I purchased a custom tortoise table second hand, and it has a light fixture mounted to it that allows for three halogen flood bulbs to be placed inside it. The person that sold it to me linked me to these bulbs, saying that is all they ever used in the fixture, as it provided basking...
After reading your comment last night, I got to googling the size to age ratio of Russian tortoises, and I agree with you. Seems much more likely the guy I adopted is 5 or older. Seems his tail is swept to the side as well. Another sign of maturity. Unfortunately, there doesnt seem to be any...
I suppose they likely don't know for certain. It was based on the age the previous owner gave them at the time of surrender, based on that person getting it as a baby, I think.
Hello!
I adopted a 2 year old Russian tortoise from my local shelter yesterday! His care seems a bit more manageable than that of the larger African species, but I was wondering what the best substrate to use for his enclosure indoors would be? The pet store care guide recommends reptile bark...
Hello!
I recently joined after the passing of my baby leopard tortoise. I joined to learn from experienced keepers what I can do better in the event I was ready to try again. Well, it's been a few weeks and a tortoise has turned up at my local shelter. So, I called the shelter to get more...
Those look great. Thanks Tom! Now, it was mentioned earlier in this thread that a Leo needs this very strictly regulated heat and humidity during its peak growth, which is 1-3 years. I would sooner just go big and have one enclosure until the leo is older and humidity management isn't as...
So, if I were to attempt this again, I should pull my 80 gallon tank out of storage, and cut a piece of opaque acrylic or plywood the shape of the top, and cut holes for the light fixtures, as well as a small air exchange hole in a corner? Because crafting a closed chamber with the lights...
Thank you. And I was using an infrared laser thermometer, so I am assuming they were accurate. But, to be fair, I didn't start using one until the week Wilson passed away. The morning I found him deceased I planned to downgrade to the 100watt from the 150 and see the difference. Before that, I...
Actually, I have considered both Egyptians and Russians. Both stay considerably smaller, and they require much less space. Only thing is that Egyptians seem very rare and expensive, and with their critical conservation status, I feel that they should be in the hands of someone more capable of...
Space, yes. But his ability to be outside will be limited to summer months with a heated hide box. Where I live, it's below 50° outside from October to March. We only get warmer summer weather from May-August, maybe into September if we are lucky. So I will need to build a suitable indoor...
I am thinking that next time, an aquarium hood with appropriate light fixtures as well as a substrate change is in order. I was using a laser thermometer to read the temps in the enclosure through the mesh lid in the days before he passed.
On another note, adult leopards don't have such high...
I am seeing seeing many people state that he sounds like he was started poorly. I could have done some things differently, for sure. But knowing that I didn't personally doom the little guy is a relief. I will bookmark that link. Thank you!
When he was eating okay (After first antibiotics but before declining), he loved grazing from my lawn. Grass, clover, dandelions leaves, plantain leaves. The carrots/sweet potato was mostly in the form of force fed baby food. :(
I am think that a full hood on the enclosure, similar to fish tank hoods but with appropriate lighting, may be a good way to trap humidity.
I appreciate the dietary input. He was a fussy eater even when he was eating his best. I know he should have been eating dried hay/grasses, but he was so...