hey guys

[DayDreamer]

ok so we were planning on getting a box turtle due to the fact it was 110% impossible to find russian tortoises here so did my research etc. well just the other day the guy who was going to sell me a box turtle said he is able to get me a russian tortoise. so im now having the hardest time deciding on which to get. I have yet to buy anything and will start building the indoor inclosure in a week. we are going to close off the back deck 100% and create a little turtle/tortoise run a few months after we get him/her.
if i go with a box turtle i will have it as a hatchling and if i go with the russian it will be 4 inches... how old is this generally? i dont know if its wild caught or not and am a bit worried if i end up with a female will there be a chance of her laying fertile eggs at this size/age range? i know they keep the sperm for a long time and i wouldnt have any problem with little babies but it would be something i would have to consider in building the enclosures.

what height would i need to build the indoor enclosure for a russian? I know they are master escape artists.

sadly in the house we live in we do not have a yard only 2 decks both get a good amount of sun a day but we are unable to build anything on them or lay dirt down, so my outdoor enclosure will sadly be just cement and potted plants and a few hides. could this cause a problem? the deck floor doesnt get too hot my 5 year old is out there all the time in bare feet but i am worried it might stress the poor guy or gal out without dirt to dig in... we will not be making this choice lightly on which we will pick but thought it might be a good idea to come to you guys and ask around.

its summer year round here so i know it would be a great place and temperatures for both and i like the fact i dont have to deal with bugs or worms with a tortoise. what do you guys think? im deeply inlove with both boxies and russians and if i could (and had the room for it) id gladly get both however thats just not possible till we have a house with a nice back yard

any info, differences, advice etc. would be greatly appreciated

 

[ascott]

Boxie....really, I feel like you will have to be creative with which ever you decide....with your limitations you will need to make the environment COMPLETELY mobile but it will need to meet the minimum requirements equally for both....

 

[WillTort2]

I can't think of any reason that you can not built an enclosure for the patio that has a substrate that your tort or turtle can dig into.

 

[DayDreamer]

The land lady just doesnt want us messing with the house or messing up the paint she for some reason put on the deck floor. so we are going with a kiddie pool out there, ill just have to move it a lot to make sure no damage to the paint is going to happen and find a way to build a top on it that will allow sun to get in but not let cats think its a litter box and bring it in at night

hubby and I have decided to go with a Russian simply because we wont have to breed any bugs or worms. and I can grow all the food at home (thanks to the green thumb that was handed down by my mother lol)

I am now wondering if any of these plants are bad. and what else should be added to the list? hibiscus is so easy to get here it grows everywhere infact i just need to open my door and i get fresh flowers and leafs.

New Zealand White Clover
Arugula
Ovation Greens Mix (This mix includes Red Mustard, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Kale, and Arugula.)
Astro
Premium Greens Mix (This mix includes Red Mustard, Green Mustard, Chinese Cabbage, Pac Choi, and Tatsoi.)
Flash
Cressida
Sprout Mix (Mix includes: broccoli, China Rose radish, alfalfa, and Red Russian kale)
Dandelion

any of those bad? anything else i could add to my list?