Saltwater60
Member
So I’m getting a Russian tortoise probably not under the best circumstances. It is 5 years old and not being taken care of. It’s in a prebuilt tortoise shelter that is likely too small for it. It’s a female. I live in nys and will likely place it in my basement. I will make a new enclosure for it in a few months. I plan on it being about 4’ by about 6 feet with sides about 2’ high. I will have a heat lamp and uvb bulb for it. I will add enough substrate probably loose organic soil and pest Moss for her to dig a burrow. I plan to keep it outside during warmer months. My basement gets to about 60 over winter, but from what I read that should be fine. Humidity in my basement is 50-60% in winter and a bit higher over the summer. Summer humidity on my basement gets to 75-80%. I do run a dehumidifier, but I forget to empty it sometimes. If that occasional rise in humidity is a problem I can have the dehumidifier dump into my sump pump to eliminate this concern. I will have a heat pad. I plan to add some plants that are safe for her to eat, some cedar mulch in a small
section, logs, flat river rocks, and a water dish for her to soak in. I will feed spring mix salad organic if possible and a few other veggies with some fruit mixed in periodically. Do you think I need a calcium and vitamin supplement or not since she’s 5.
Let me know any tips or if you think I’m missing something. I don’t have much time to plan for this, but apparently it’s a bit of an emergency situation with her lacking care. I have experience with water turtles and have always wanted a tortoise. I’m 38 so I think I can handle it. I’d like to have a nice set up for her already and have done more research up front, but I think getting her a good home at this point is more important. I feel bad for her and she’s cute. The tortoise’s name will be Pricilla Rose!! Any help or advice would be great.
Here’s she is and her enclosure.
section, logs, flat river rocks, and a water dish for her to soak in. I will feed spring mix salad organic if possible and a few other veggies with some fruit mixed in periodically. Do you think I need a calcium and vitamin supplement or not since she’s 5.
Let me know any tips or if you think I’m missing something. I don’t have much time to plan for this, but apparently it’s a bit of an emergency situation with her lacking care. I have experience with water turtles and have always wanted a tortoise. I’m 38 so I think I can handle it. I’d like to have a nice set up for her already and have done more research up front, but I think getting her a good home at this point is more important. I feel bad for her and she’s cute. The tortoise’s name will be Pricilla Rose!! Any help or advice would be great.
Here’s she is and her enclosure.