Hello, need help with Russian Tortoise Substrate!

NikkiLorene

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Joined
Feb 14, 2019
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4
Location (City and/or State)
Higginsville
Hi! My name is Nikki and my torts name is Shelli. She is a Russian. I've had her for several years now and have read almost everything on tortoisetrust.org website. I'm having trouble getting the substrate just right and am also confused because the care guide for Russians on the affiliated Tortoise Trust (TT) website says to use a 50/50 mix of play sand and topsoil, however, as I read through these threads it seems like everyone is doing it differently or using a substrate not recommended by TT. So what is the best substrate? I wish I could directly contact TT and ask, but the website told me to come here as they cannot answer hundreds of emails everyday. I live in the US and correct tortoise substrate is extremely hard to find. I greatly wanted to purchase the Prorep Tortoise Life substrate from the UK because it seems to be exactly what TT recommends, but they do not ship internationally sadly. I have attempted 50/50 play sand/top soil in the past but felt like there was more sand than soil? Perhaps I'm doing it wrong? As in... if I buy a 30lb bag of play sand and 30lb of topsoil, that would be equal parts correct? A 50/50 blend? I hope I've provided enough information. I have her in a custom built tortoise table.
Sincerely, Nikki and Shelli.
 

TechnoCheese

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NikkiLorene

New Member
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Feb 14, 2019
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4
Location (City and/or State)
Higginsville
There definitely shouldn’t be any sand in the soil. It’s a huge impaction risk, as well as a skin, nose, eye, and cloaka irritant.

For babies, coco coir is fine, but it’s best to keep adults on fine grade orchid bark or cypress mulch.

Be sure to give hers a read :)
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/
When you say fine grade orchid bark, how fine? I know this question may be an obvious to some, but I'm seeing everything from chunks of wood chips to a finely ground mix that looks like soil. I just want to be crystal clear because getting this habitat right is the most important thing to me. Thanks again for your time!
 

NikkiLorene

New Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2019
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
Higginsville
There definitely shouldn’t be any sand in the soil. It’s a huge impaction risk, as well as a skin, nose, eye, and cloaka irritant.

For babies, coco coir is fine, but it’s best to keep adults on fine grade orchid bark or cypress mulch.

Be sure to give hers a read :)
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/
And I'd love to know which brands of substrates you purchase to make my shopping super quick and easy! Shelli and I appreciate it!
 

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