First Time Owner Questions!

[CutieHappyLife]

Hiii! I just got a Russian tortoise for the first time yesterday from a pet store. He is around 1.5 years old and was in the glass exhibition for two weeks in the store.
I prepared him a wood 38”x23” cage and the bedding is pure cypress mulch, the reptile bark is still on the way. I also put a UV light, wooden hideout and a water dish around 2” deep for him.
The problem I am having now is he doesn’t eat, nor dig his home. Yesterday he spent half day walking along the wall of cage before sleeping, and today he just stays under the light.
I fed him lettuce, carrots, and collards but he showed no interest in them and even walk and step on the food plate.
This is my first time having a tortoise and I was wondering if this is a normal situation because of anxiety, or if I need to change something I did wrong. Any advice would be appreciated!! Thank you!!!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello and welcome!
Photos of the enclosure would be very helpful. As well as details on what heating/lightning equipment you use (exact lamp models, distance to substrate) and temperatures (day, night, under the basking lamp).
Tortoises don't really like changes and he is definitely stressed and this affects his appetite. Sometimes they need a week or two to feel comfortable. Also, it's (sadly) not a rare situation when pet stores sell wild caught adult animals and tell some random age - these tortoises need more time to settle in.

 

[CutieHappyLife]

Hello and welcome!
Photos of the enclosure would be very helpful. As well as details on what heating/lightning equipment you use (exact lamp models, distance to substrate) and temperatures (day, night, under the basking lamp).
Tortoises don't really like changes and he is definitely stressed and this affects his appetite. Sometimes they need a week or two to feel comfortable. Also, it's (sadly) not a rare situation when pet stores sell wild caught adult animals and tell some random age - these tortoises need more time to settle in.

Hi,
Thanks for replying!!!!
The lamp I have is a 100w UVA for reptile from amazon, and the distance to the cage top is less than 1". The daytime temperature with UV light on is around 93F, and night time without UV is 77F. The humidity is around 55.
I absolutely got that, when I got him from the store, they seems not sure about his gender and age, and sadly he cannot express his feelings. Just wanna make sure that he is happy with everything.

 

[TheTortoiseKing]

You should switch the water and food bowls for terracotta ones

 

[TheTortoiseKing]

Could you specify the kind of bulb you have?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hi,
Thanks for replying!!!!
The lamp I have is a 100w UVA for reptile from amazon, and the distance to the cage top is less than 1". The daytime temperature with UV light on is around 93F, and night time without UV is 77F. The humidity is around 55.
I absolutely got that, when I got him from the store, they seems not sure about his gender and age, and sadly he cannot express his feelings. Just wanna make sure that he is happy with everything.

It looks like "all-in-one" lamp (UVB, UVA and heat) aka mercury vapour bulb. Enclosure height is 13" (as far as I remember). At that distance UV is probably very harsh. You can share an Amazon link (and lamp maker/model!) so I can check.

He looks like a full grown tortoise. Probably, we can tell if he is he or she if you'll make a photo of tail area - hold him with his head up, don't turn him on his back.

To make him happier you will need a few things:
1. A larger enclosure. Adult russian tortoises need something around 4x8 feet. It's cheaper to build your own or retrofit a bookcase or raised garden bed than buying something labeled for animals.
2. A better lightning setup: an incandescent flood lamp for basking (e.g. Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight), T5 tube lamp for UVB (not coiled) (e.g. ZooMed Reptisun T5 10.0, Arcadia ProT5 Desert 12" - these lamps should be placed 18-21" above substrate). And, also ambient LED lights for overall brightness.

A few less important things:
1. Gauge type thermometers/hygrometers are inaccurate, it's better to use digital one (usually hardware stores sell them cheaper than pet shops).
2. Clay saucers (used under plant pots) are more convenient and safe than "reptile dishes". And cheaper too.
3. Some potted plants for hiding would be nice.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hi,
Thanks for replying!!!!
The lamp I have is a 100w UVA for reptile from amazon, and the distance to the cage top is less than 1". The daytime temperature with UV light on is around 93F, and night time without UV is 77F. The humidity is around 55.
I absolutely got that, when I got him from the store, they seems not sure about his gender and age, and sadly he cannot express his feelings. Just wanna make sure that he is happy with everything.

Looking at the pictures, your tortoise is not 1.5 years old, he is an adult. His shell looks worn down and he is probably wild caught. His age might be based on when he was taken form the wild, or it might be based on nothing.

We might be able to sex him you send photos of the tail and the bottom of the shell.

 

[CutieHappyLife]

It looks like "all-in-one" lamp (UVB, UVA and heat) aka mercury vapour bulb. Enclosure height is 13" (as far as I remember). At that distance UV is probably very harsh. You can share an Amazon link (and lamp maker/model!) so I can check.

He looks like a full grown tortoise. Probably, we can tell if he is he or she if you'll make a photo of tail area - hold him with his head up, don't turn him on his back.

To make him happier you will need a few things:
1. A larger enclosure. Adult russian tortoises need something around 4x8 feet. It's cheaper to build your own or retrofit a bookcase or raised garden bed than buying something labeled for animals.
2. A better lightning setup: an incandescent flood lamp for basking (e.g. Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight), T5 tube lamp for UVB (not coiled) (e.g. ZooMed Reptisun T5 10.0, Arcadia ProT5 Desert 12" - these lamps should be placed 18-21" above substrate). And, also ambient LED lights for overall brightness.

A few less important things:
1. Gauge type thermometers/hygrometers are inaccurate, it's better to use digital one (usually hardware stores sell them cheaper than pet shops).
2. Clay saucers (used under plant pots) are more convenient and safe than "reptile dishes". And cheaper too.
3. Some potted plants for hiding would be nice.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for such useful and professional advise!!!!! They are super helpful to me!!

Here are the links to the lamp and cage I bought for him:
fixture: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3PKFFNB?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
lamp: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNJMFZSR?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
cage: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VRY6X58?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

I will definitely upgrade his house step by step, got almost everything from the pet store, the dishes, the thermometers ((
Unfortunately i'm not with him now, but will take a photo later!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Okay, first things first - you need to rise the lamp. At least 18" above substrate (according to chart on packaging this will be safe UV level). However, basking spot temperature will drop below recommended (that's the thing with "all-in-one" lamps). The second step is to replace MVB lamp with an incandescent flood lamp (75 or 100W) so you can get correct basking area temperature. Tortoise can be fine for a couple of weeks without UVB but correct temperatures are important. Step three is to get a UVB lamp (please, stay away from chinese brands like ReptiZoo and get one of the two I recommended above) and make a frame to hang it at correct distance (maybe the easiest is a PVC pipe). A good UVB lamp is expensive but will serve you longer than mercury vapour bulb (when you put it on 4-5 hours timer it will last for 2-4 years).

Once you get basic heating and lightning correct you can tweak everything else.

You can check with us the items you are going to order and, of course, ask any further questions.

This care sheet will guide through all aspects of toroise care: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/info-for-new-people-please-read-this-first.202363/ It's a long read but totally worth the efforts.

P.S. - I've got all sorts of wrong stuff from a pet store too as many other members here. So you are not alone

 

[TammyJ]

Hi and welcome to the forum! You are getting really good help and advice. All the best for you and your tortoise as you progress with caring for him or her!

 

[CutieHappyLife]

HIIII BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE!!!
A little update: I just switched the all-in-one lamp with the Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight 75w, also bought a ZooMed Reptisun T5 10.0 UVB but seems I need another fixture cuz the pipe I bought doesn't fit well. I also raised the height of lighting and added two small plants.
Good news is he started to eat, for an hour almost!! But he started to dig on the corner of the cage.
Here are some photos of him/her and the house!
Thank you so much for the help and advice!!!!

 

[CutieHappyLife]

HIIII BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE!!!
A little update: I just switched the all-in-one lamp with the Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight 75w, also bought a ZooMed Reptisun T5 10.0 UVB but seems I need another fixture cuz the pipe I bought doesn't fit well. I also raised the height of lighting and added two small plants.
Good news is he started to eat, for an hour almost!! But he started to dig on the corner of the cage.
Here are some photos of him/her and the house!
Thank you so much for the help and advice!!!!

He lays just right there, at the corner

 

[EppsDynasty]

@Cola
A receptive new tort owner .... So damn cool! Your tort is lucky to have you, and keep asking until you are the one doing the answering. Glad to have you here.

 

[CutieHappyLife]

i also just gave him bath and not sure if he has pinworm

 

[CutieHappyLife]

Looking at the pictures, your tortoise is not 1.5 years old, he is an adult. His shell looks worn down and he is probably wild caught. His age might be based on when he was taken form the wild, or it might be based on nothing.

We might be able to sex him you send photos of the tail and the bottom of the shell.

yess i posted the pictures!
i am so sad to hear this and i am wondering if there is anything i can do more for him

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

HIIII BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE!!!
A little update: I just switched the all-in-one lamp with the Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight 75w, also bought a ZooMed Reptisun T5 10.0 UVB but seems I need another fixture cuz the pipe I bought doesn't fit well. I also raised the height of lighting and added two small plants.
Good news is he started to eat, for an hour almost!! But he started to dig on the corner of the cage.
Here are some photos of him/her and the house!
Thank you so much for the help and advice!!!!

Been given some great advice already and it’s great to see you’re up for making the needed changes! I’m sorry you were sold the typical incorrect set up, it happens so often to new keepers and is so unfortunate and unfair, I’m so glad you’ve made your way here!

Perhaps you’ll find this indoor housing thread I made useful to look through! it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, sizing, appropriately maintaining humidity, substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out!

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This one is also really good to familiarise yourself with, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they help! Always happy to try and answer any further questions! Welcome to the forum!

Btw you definitely have an adult male here!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

HIIII BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE!!!
A little update: I just switched the all-in-one lamp with the Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight 75w, also bought a ZooMed Reptisun T5 10.0 UVB but seems I need another fixture cuz the pipe I bought doesn't fit well. I also raised the height of lighting and added two small plants.
Good news is he started to eat, for an hour almost!! But he started to dig on the corner of the cage.
Here are some photos of him/her and the house!
Thank you so much for the help and advice!!!!

It's a boy! And because it's so obvious - this guy is really older than 1.5 years. Exact age is impossible to tell, unfortunately.

Eating is a good sign. Lightning sounds good now. What's the problem with fixture?

 

[CutieHappyLife]

It's a boy! And because it's so obvious - this guy is really older than 1.5 years. Exact age is impossible to tell, unfortunately.

Eating is a good sign. Lightning sounds good now. What's the problem with fixture?

might need to reconsider his name haha. It is just the one i got is too narrow to fit the lamp.
i found some worm in his poop, might gonna take him to a vet

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

might need to reconsider his name haha. It is just the one i got is too narrow to fit the lamp.
i found some worm in his poop, might gonna take him to a vet

Fixtures are also important. As I remember, ZooMed sells Reptisun T5 Terrarium hoods separate from the lamps. Also, double-check that the lamp is T5 and not T8... "Too narrow to fit the lamp" can happen when you are trying fit a T8 lamp in T5 fixture.

A fecal test and simple blood panel can be a good idea - wild caught animals often carry parasites. I don't see worms on the photo you've posted (unless there was something wiggling).

 

[COmtnLady]

Be cautious about taking a tort to a vet. Not many Vets are up on the latest tortoise info (even ones attached to a University Veterinary School). Frequently they want to bump up their profit margin and give vitamin shots or unnecessary other things, plus there are a lot of antibiotics that are lethal to torts. Please go in knowing approximately what you need and don't get talkied into extras.

Alex knows this stuff better than I do. Run it past him so you are ready.