Ok, so we read up and tried to do everything right. We built a 2.5 x 5 foot turtle table. 5” deep bed of coco coir. Basking area 94.2 degrees. He ate 1 piece of kale leaf and then paced back and forth for 30 minutes or so. He then proceeded to bury himself in the basking area next to the stone flat. Is this normal? He has not found his hide area yet. From what I have read it can take a few weeks for them to get used to the new surroundings. Just want to make sure we do this right. Thanks in advance for any advice.
First day new Russian
- Thread starter Patch2361
- Start date
lilly_sand99
Active Member
My little girl has done the same thing, and I got her yesterday. From what I read it might take a few weeks for them to get comfortable...
Welcome! That sounds very normal for a new tortoise.
Could we see pictures of the tortoise and enclosure?
Please give these a read if you haven’t already
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/Beginner
Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
Could we see pictures of the tortoise and enclosure?
Please give these a read if you haven’t already
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/Beginner
Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
Awesome, thanksWelcome! That sounds very normal for a new tortoise.
Could we see pictures of the tortoise and enclosure?
Please give these a read if you haven’t already
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/Beginner
Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
I hate to break it to you, but your enclosure is much too small. An adult Russian like yours needs a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet.
Maybe you could extend the side be 5 feet, so that you have a 5x5.5 foot enclosure?
Maybe you could extend the side be 5 feet, so that you have a 5x5.5 foot enclosure?
. . . or build him a safe and secure pen outside! They do much better outside. And they hibernate in the winter, so there's no need for an indoor enclosure.
If you're going to keep the enclosure you're using, I'd like to suggest you put a staple over the light cord so it can't accidentally fall and cause a fire.
If you're going to keep the enclosure you're using, I'd like to suggest you put a staple over the light cord so it can't accidentally fall and cause a fire.
There are actually 3 heavy duty staples one on top and 2 on back that you cannot see. We are putting together an outside habitat for him also that is 8’ x 12’ to spend time in during day. We live in north east Wisconsin so winter would not be good. Thank you
Good job!
