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.

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