Confused...

[Madkins007]

So who is our resident go-to person for Russians? I know that if I have a Hermann's-specific question I just ask GB rather than posting an open question.

I only have a leopard, so Tom is mine.
However here is the list I do have

Tom the dog trainer-Sulcata's and Leopards

Jacqui  unhinged over hingedbacks-hinged back tortoises

Greg aldabra's.     [email protected]

Jackrat-red foot

N2torts-red foot

Emysemeys-desert torts and Manouria

Lynnedit-Horsfields

GBTortoises-Mediterranean Tortoises:  Egyptian tortoises, Greek tortoises, Hermanns tortoises, Marginated tortoises, Russian tortoises

Maggie 3fan-Sulcata and Gopherus agassizii; and the box turtles
 
drexotic-for more medical help

I didn't make the list! I... I'm just going to go over here and cry.

 

[kanalomele]

My Russians live outside year round. I believe in hibernating them as it gives them a rest and in my opinion is more in harmony with a natural cycle for them. However I never hibernate my hatchlings. They simply are not big enough to withstand the long period of going without. 1 year minimum, and then only if they are healthy and thriving.

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

So who is our resident go-to person for Russians? I know that if I have a Hermann's-specific question I just ask GB rather than posting an open question.

Ha. Who DOESN'T ask GB about all things Testudo? Poor guy must just sit and answer PMs all day long.

GB definitely knows his stuff, especially when it comes to Testudos.

---

I didn't make the list! I... I'm just going to go over here and cry.

I'll be happy to add you to the list, Mark: as a tortoise nutrition expert!

 

[lynnedit]

I didn't make the list! I... I'm just going to go over here and cry.

It's OK, pick yourself up. You are on the 'It goes without saying' List! Kind of like the Tortoise/Turtle version of the Hollywood walk of fame. There is a lot of overlap on our lists, lol.

lol Today was beautiful out here. How do you do an outdoor enclosure when you get literally only 2 1/2-3 months of sun? lol It rains so much!! I am definitely doing one for the warmer days, otherwise I need to make tortoise paradise inside I think living in Washington where it rains all the time kinda scrambles a persons brain as well lol

And remember, in their native environment, Russians only get about 2-3 good sunny months before they have to hide from the heat and estivate. They are very efficient at utilizing UVB.

 

[Madkins007]

"Nutrition expert" is hilarious! I weigh... well, I weigh a LOT more than I should by any rights- as in too much for most bathroom scales.

However, thanks! My ego needed all the boosting it could get lately!

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

"Nutrition expert" is hilarious! I weigh... well, I weigh a LOT more than I should by any rights- as in too much for most bathroom scales.

However, thanks! My ego needed all the boosting it could get lately!

Well, in that case, I prescribe for you less lettuce, more calcium, and a 3-month hibernation period.

 

[MrsStaal]

I know Greeks and Russians are pretty similar. I have a Greek. I have whats called Eco-Earth, you can buy it at Petco, in his cage as well as calcium sand. The calcium sand is good in case he eats it it won't hurt him it'll actually help him! Also, if you don't want to use a rock as a hide out I bought a hay holder for rabbits and turned it on its side! It's perfect! Also, have a water dish deep enough he can soak in but not too deep or he could drown. And a food bowl, obviously. I have a glass tank as well temporarily. I will warn you, they bang their shells on the glass and it's LOUD! My Geno makes studying hard! If you're gonna get a snake, I would recommend a corn snake! I have one, he is 9 years old and amazing. He's friendly and doesn't bite

 

[lynnedit]

You can line the lower sides of the glass with brown paper...

 

[MrsStaal]

You can line the lower sides of the glass with brown paper...

I would DEFINITELY recommend doing this. I'm making my little one a new cage so it's too late for me but not for you! Haha

 

[Lindsey123]

I know Greeks and Russians are pretty similar. I have a Greek. I have whats called Eco-Earth, you can buy it at Petco, in his cage as well as calcium sand. The calcium sand is good in case he eats it it won't hurt him it'll actually help him! Also, if you don't want to use a rock as a hide out I bought a hay holder for rabbits and turned it on its side! It's perfect! Also, have a water dish deep enough he can soak in but not too deep or he could drown. And a food bowl, obviously. I have a glass tank as well temporarily. I will warn you, they bang their shells on the glass and it's LOUD! My Geno makes studying hard! If you're gonna get a snake, I would recommend a corn snake! I have one, he is 9 years old and amazing. He's friendly and doesn't bite

I actually have had a corn snake in the past. I'm looking to move on to either ball pythons or a red-tail boa (which I'll still need a bigger cage eventually for the red tail). I'm definitely going to have to figure out an outdoor enclosure.