help with dampness

[abigailandemily]

I'm a new Russian turtle mom. I've had Abigail and Emily for a month. I built (very proud of myself for this!) a box 8' x 3' filled with organic soil. It has plants, rocks, hides, and huge water dish that is a terra cotta bottom to flower pot. My concern is that both are burrowing under water dish. They don't tip it over but it is damp under there because of the terra cotta. I keep reading how these are arid turtles so is this going to be a problem with their shells rotting or something like that? They seem to love their box and climb on everything.

 

[Jacqui]

No, it's not going to be a problem. As long as you have it warm enough in the enclosure and a place they can go to that is not damp, having areas of dampness is fine and actually a good thing. Outside they would be burrowing down into the soil and it is usually damper below surface then on top. We sorta over claim them as being arid animals, based on where they COME from, but don't look close enough at where they actually live and spend time in that area. Is that making any sense to you? My mind knows what it wants to say, but for some reason I just can't write it so it makes sense today.

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Almost forgot... Hi and welcome! Would you be kind enough to go to the introduction area and telling us a bit about yourself and your Russian?

 

[wellington]

Hello and WELCOME.

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No, it's not going to be a problem. As long as you have it warm enough in the enclosure and a place they can go to that is not damp, having areas of dampness is fine and actually a good thing. Outside they would be burrowing down into the soil and it is usually damper below surface then on top. We sorta over claim them as being arid animals, based on where they COME from, but don't look close enough at where they actually live and spend time in that area. Is that making any sense to you? My mind knows what it wants to say, but for some reason I just can't write it so it makes sense today.

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Almost forgot... Hi and welcome! Would you be kind enough to go to the introduction area and telling us a bit about yourself and your Russian?

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I understand what your trying to say. Scary

 

[abigailandemily]

Thanks so much. I was really worried. They have a section that gets full sun for most of the day and a shady section. They are quite the little climbers!! I'm in Bakersfield, CA so its very warm in summer. I don't know if they can stay out during winter. It gets to low 30s at night. But they are next to a wall on enclosed patio so I don't think it will get even that cold? What do ya think?