Hey guys!

[rcraines]

Hey guys!! I got a Russian tortoise from a local pet store (I know that’s not the best choice) last Friday. I have set up an outdoor enclosure for her and let her roam with monitored supervision. I have noticed that she seems pretty picky - really only likes butter lettuce that I hand feed or cloves from the ground. I have tried different greens, dandelions, cucumber, literally nothing. Today, I noticed she has been burrowing a lot. I thought she was burrowing outside because she was hot so I brought her in - She has been burrowing herself all day. Temp is 81° and humidity is at 67 and she burrier herself immediately. Still hasn’t eaten much. Is she just getting used to all of this new stuff??? Is she sick?? She looks healthy. Also I know this is a lot of information but what do you guys do to keep bugs like ants flies etc away when they are outside??? TIA!!

 

[Len B]

Welcome to the Forum, I suggest that you at least cap the corners of the enclosure. Russian tortoises are great diggers and climbers. I don't have Russians now but have in the past. Because of their climbing abilities I capped the entire enclosure.

 

[Tom]

Hey guys!! I got a Russian tortoise from a local pet store (I know that’s not the best choice) last Friday. I have set up an outdoor enclosure for her and let her roam with monitored supervision. I have noticed that she seems pretty picky - really only likes butter lettuce that I hand feed or cloves from the ground. I have tried different greens, dandelions, cucumber, literally nothing. Today, I noticed she has been burrowing a lot. I thought she was burrowing outside because she was hot so I brought her in - She has been burrowing herself all day. Temp is 81° and humidity is at 67 and she burrier herself immediately. Still hasn’t eaten much. Is she just getting used to all of this new stuff??? Is she sick?? She looks healthy. Also I know this is a lot of information but what do you guys do to keep bugs like ants flies etc away when they are outside??? TIA!! View attachment 376648

In addition to what Len said, you need to get rid of the ramped water bowl. Those are fine for snakes and lizards, but they are literally death traps for tortoises. Use a terra cotta saucer sunk into the ground for food and another for water. Same thing indoors.

There needs to be more hiding areas and more furniture.

The not eating thing could be due to many factors. Not being used to its new environment is the most obvious and most likely. Time will tell if that is the case. Pet store Russians are wild caught imports. When you buy one it is a crap shoot. No telling what you are going to get. Many of them are sick or diseased. All of them are stressed. Most of them are dehydrated. All you can really do is offer the best conditions possible, wait, and hope for the best.

Here is the current and correct care info for you. Questions are welcome.

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[rcraines]

In addition to what Len said, you need to get rid of the ramped water bowl. Those are fine for snakes and lizards, but they are literally death traps for tortoises. Use a terra cotta saucer sunk into the ground for food and another for water. Same thing indoors.

There needs to be more hiding areas and more furniture.

The not eating thing could be due to many factors. Not being used to its new environment is the most obvious and most likely. Time will tell if that is the case. Pet store Russians are wild caught imports. When you buy one it is a crap shoot. No telling what you are going to get. Many of them are sick or diseased. All of them are stressed. Most of them are dehydrated. All you can really do is offer the best conditions possible, wait, and hope for the best.

Here is the current and correct care info for you. Questions are welcome.

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

Ok- good to know. I removed the climbing bowl and will replace with more Tera cotta bowls. Thanks so much! What other furnitures & hides do you suggest adding?

 

[Tom]

What other furnitures & hides do you suggest adding?

Logs, large rocks, potted plants, and I like to make an underground cave for Russians.I dig a hole with a sloped entrance and save that dirt. Cover the hole with some thick plywood, put the dirt, and then add more on top of the plywood. They love it and it allows them to escape the summer surface heat. Be sure it doesn't flood in heavy rains.

 

[rcraines]

Logs, large rocks, potted plants, and I like to make an underground cave for Russians.I dig a hole with a sloped entrance and save that dirt. Cover the hole with some thick plywood, put the dirt, and then add more on top of the plywood. They love it and it allows them to escape the summer surface heat. Be sure it doesn't flood in heavy rains.

 

[rcraines]

What’s the best way to keep her outdoor enclosure safe of bugs that could harm her? And can you check out her indoor enclosure and let me know what I could do better? I think I’m going to find a new one online if you have any suggestions.

 

[Tom]

What’s the best way to keep her outdoor enclosure safe of bugs that could harm her? And can you check out her indoor enclosure and let me know what I could do better? I think I’m going to find a new one online if you have any suggestions.

Most bugs are not a problem. Ants can kill them though. Treat ants all over your yard and your whole property to keep them at bay. Don't let the tortoise contact the treatments.

For the enclosure, you need PVC material that is impervious to water and totally non-toxic. Mark's "Smart Enclosures" are best. Animal Plastics enclosures are great, but take a long time to get and you need something now. Many brands are now making PVC enclosures.

 

[rcraines]

Most bugs are not a problem. Ants can kill them though. Treat ants all over your yard and your whole property to keep them at bay. Don't let the tortoise contact the treatments.

For the enclosure, you need PVC material that is impervious to water and totally non-toxic. Mark's "Smart Enclosures" are best. Animal Plastics enclosures are great, but take a long time to get and you need something now. Many brands are now making PVC enclosures.

Ok! Should I use an ant spray or is there a safe DIY spray I can use? Thanks so much for all this information.