Brand new Russian tortoise mommy HELP

[molly.b]

I've never had a tortoise or any pet for the matter I got my baby yesterday from pets mart, they gave me hardly any info or advice for him. They recommended the 30 " tank so that's what I got, they told me to buy a big water bowl and food bowl and made me buy these little leafy pellets for him...not sure how to start a daily routine with him, what are some DO's and DON'TS? How often soak? And how often handle? He has a day basking lamp and a night lamp that is purple and not bright at all....not sure how much spring mix lettuce I can give him or how many hours a day it's okay to be away from him!!!!! Also his cage is adorable but with his huge hideout water and food bowl it seems there's not a whole lot more space

Thank you in advance

 

[gamera154]

You need a 4x8 enclosure and those water bowls are death traps he could flip and drown. oh and soak him now they are all Most allways dehydrated at pets mart

 

[molly.b]

You need a 4x8 enclosure and those water bowls are death traps he could flip and drown. oh and soak him now they are all Most allways dehydrated at pets mart

Where online can I find a big enclosure?!?! They told me that bowl is for soaking and drinking

 

[gamera154]

You can make one yourself its not hard and most everyone here use terracota plant saucers they are deep enough to get in but shallow enough to get out and some him in a tub or bin with luke warm water that just reaches the top and bottom shell connect

 

[molly.b]

What do you make it with? Plexiglass

 

[gamera154]

You can make your enclosure out of ply wood. Water sealed so I doesn't rot or you can get 4 2x4 bins and connect then together also what substrate are you using

 

[molly.b]

This is the set up

 

[gamera154]

Oh and torts don't understand glass if they can see through it there going to try to get through it

 

[dannylozano10]

Orchid bark is what your using that's fine

 

[molly.b]

What's a substrate?

 

[dannylozano10]

The bedding

 

[molly.b]

What would a home built look like I'm trying to picture it but idk, I live in an apartment and have a 1 year old daughter

 

[gamera154]

Yes that's much to small even for a baby that would be to small

 

[molly.b]

Could you show me a pic of what an ideal easy to make cage would look like?

 

[gamera154]

Right now I can't sort but let me call @Yvonne G

 

[molly.b]

It upsets me that I bought him, without being prepared 1st..petstores are jokes. They told me I'd never need a bigger tank I don't want him to be cooped up but I also need something that's not gonna be too hard to do

 

[molly.b]

Would the enclosure have a top? How would I attach his lights?

 

[dannylozano10]

It upsets me that I bought him, without being prepared 1st..petstores are jokes. They told me I'd never need a bigger tank I don't want him to be cooped up but I also need something that's not gonna be too hard to do

What is the max on how big it can be?

 

[gamera154]

Don't feel bad you just got stuck in the stores trap but you did a good thing by coming here for help and now your tort will be happy living with you for years to come and we'll be with you the whole way ok

 

[gamera154]

Yes what do you have room for