Tortose2005
New Member
I’m planning to get a Russian tortoise soon this week. Do I need to do anything like bathe it when I bring it home, or just put it in its enclosure right away?
First Tortoise
- Thread starter Tortose2005
- Start date
Welcome to the forum!
Could we see pictures of your enclosure?
I would give it a nice soak before you put it in the enclosure.
Could we see pictures of your enclosure?
I would give it a nice soak before you put it in the enclosure.
Hi
daniellenc
Well-Known Member
You’ll need to soak it daily if it’s hatchling and post pics of your enclosure. Better to tweak it now before it’s home.
Tortose2005
New Member
Actually, I don’t have an enclosure yet. My dad wanted me to get the enclosure with the tortoise and everything else, but I’ll still show photos once I get him/her.
Welcome @Tortose2005!
I can just about promise you will buy an enclosure that is not appropriate for a tortoise; most pet stores sell something far too small and they sell you things you don’t need.
Please read and have your dad read these two care sheets before you buy anything; the most important piece of information is that an adult Russian needs at least 4 by 8 foot of space.
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
I look forward to seeing your tortoise!
I can just about promise you will buy an enclosure that is not appropriate for a tortoise; most pet stores sell something far too small and they sell you things you don’t need.
Please read and have your dad read these two care sheets before you buy anything; the most important piece of information is that an adult Russian needs at least 4 by 8 foot of space.
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
I look forward to seeing your tortoise!
Tortose2005
New Member
I got my tortoise, but his poops are really wet and they’re not normal. I see bits of carrot! What do I do??
You got your tortoise in the three hours since you last posted?
Did you read the caresheets above?
Did you read the caresheets above?
tortoiseplanet
Active Member
Upload photos of your tortoise’s enclosure so we can help you.
DARKFIRE007
Active Member
"Get the enclosure and the tortoise" are worrisome words to me... if it is a hatchling you can do that, but if it is an adult you need a 4x8 foot enclosure and there is no WAY that is something you intend to "go get". I am going to assume it is something like a Zoomed tortoise house, those are good for freshly hatched torts, just don't stick an adult in there.
Read the two links Rosemary posted and read them again, they are the best chance you have to do everything right. Also read her signature under every post...I have never seen a truer one. Be mindful of escape and dietary wise, stick with leafy greens like turnips, collards, kale and so on...do NOT use iceberg lettuce, and make things like strawberries a very rare treat.
As to your question, after soaking and putting in the enclosure, I suggest leaving him/her be, no handling for say a day. Let them acclimate and get the idea they aren't in danger.
Read the two links Rosemary posted and read them again, they are the best chance you have to do everything right. Also read her signature under every post...I have never seen a truer one. Be mindful of escape and dietary wise, stick with leafy greens like turnips, collards, kale and so on...do NOT use iceberg lettuce, and make things like strawberries a very rare treat.
As to your question, after soaking and putting in the enclosure, I suggest leaving him/her be, no handling for say a day. Let them acclimate and get the idea they aren't in danger.
daniellenc
Well-Known Member
Stress can cause diarrhea, but so can an improper diet or parasites. Start by posting pics of his cage and him. Describe your temps, what you're using for heat/lights, what your humidity is, what you're feeding, where you got him. The more information the better. And obviously read the links posted!
Tortose2005
New Member
I’m planning to put rocks, plants, etc. inside.
I haven’t even fed it yet because we ran out of greens, so the diarrhea thing is probably the pet stores fault. I got him at a Petsmart that looked clean (no dead fish or anything). When I saw him, I think they were feeding him iceberg lettuce, pellets, and some carrots. Didn’t see any calcium powder.
Also planning to add more substrate in the enclosure when my dad gets home in the afternoon.
I know it’s small, but it’s all I can do for now. Even this was a bit too big for our house, but we managed to fit it near our fish tank.
It’s kind of just sitting at the corner. Should I wake him up and take him outside or just leave him be? It’s already been an hour since the lights have been on.
You need more hides, a different water bowl, a different food bowl, a different uvb light if you’re using a compact, and a much, much bigger enclosure.
Get a terra cotta saucer for food and water.
The compact uvbs are notorious for causing a plethora of eye problems. I would recommend getting a reptisun 10.0 tube fluorescent or something similar in a T8 or T5 hood.
If your tortoise is an adult, it needs a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet. That tank would last a hatchling a few months, and there is no way for an adult to properly exercise and digest food in it. Are you able to do a 4x4 foot double decker, or a 6x3 with a smaller second story?
If it’s digging into the corner, it’s prob looking for humidity/different temp. Or, the glass see through walls are making it crazy. What’s your humidity? Those bowls are not good. What’s your temp gradient in that enclosure? What are the dimensions of that tank ?
daniellenc
Well-Known Member
You can also bury those water and food bowls into the substrate so it's flush and he can't flip and drown trying to eat or drink. Read the link provided to you yesterday even though his enclosure needs tweaking most of your answers can be found there.
Tortose2005
New Member
Do Russian tortoises need a lot of humidity even though they’re desert animals?
I haven’t put this thermometer/hygrometer in the tank yet, but where should they be at?
This might have been in the care sheet, but I don’t really remember?
I haven’t put this thermometer/hygrometer in the tank yet, but where should they be at?
This might have been in the care sheet, but I don’t really remember?
Go read the care sheet
tortoiseplanet
Active Member
Russians are a dry species. If that tank is too big for you, then you shouldn’t have adopted a tortoise. All tortoises require a lot of space. Read the caresheets other members have linked. Fish tanks are not for tortoises, they are for fish. Just because your tortoise can live in it, won’t mean he will thrive. Glass walls don’t work, tortoises need visual barriers. With glass, tortoises will be restless digging and pacing against it. Some even damage their beaks. If you cannot give your tortoise adequate space, living conditions, and care, I would return him and get a suitable pet for that space - such as a gold fish.
Tortose2005
New Member
The tank is a tank for reptiles because it can’t really hold water, but yeah, I should return the tortoise and all his stuff, or try and find a bigger space for him. I’ll see what I can do.
daniellenc
Well-Known Member
You can get a closed chamber pretty cheap. There are hundreds of DIY threads for closed chambers you just have to read and ask questions is all.
