Hi new tortoise and first time keeper.

[Debbie26pet]

Hi we got a new addition to the family. I've done reading upon reading and find some advice differs.
We got little (16mths) (owners previously said he thinks he's a hermanns). Jeffery yesterday. He was quiet but today having a good rummage around his Viv. But I'm feeling have a set it up? He isn't liking the new hideaway but us loving climbing. (His previous home was kept minimal and no climbing.) He loves going Upto the top and down the bumpy bit seems to slide down, he will then go and climb back up. As in pic he keeps.sitting in this area his head lamp above. But at times gets in corner and is scratching (sounds like someone grinding teeth) and seems to be trying walk through the Viv corner. Any ideas why.
He's eating very well. And isn't hiding from us. Do we need change anything. Or missing something.

 

[Toddrickfl1]

That's a Russian Tortoise "Testudo Horsfieldii". Tortoises don't like change much. Give him/her some time to settle in.

 

[method89]

While he does need time to settle in, your enclosure looks to be too small. An adult russian needs @ 4'x8' for a indoor enclosure. While I think most of us would struggle to accomplish that, I don't think he will ultimately be happy in the one you are currently providing.

*Based solely on the pictures provided, it could just be the angle*

 

[Debbie26pet]

We had thought might be on small side. It's a 3ft one. He did come with this, but they had a plastic box that was 3/4 placed in the viv. We have taken him out of it. so is on our cards to get a new one for him. So will see looks asap for a bigger one. We've even thought about a table for him?

 

[Debbie26pet]

While he does need time to settle in, your enclosure looks to be too small. An adult russian needs @ 4'x8' for a indoor enclosure. While I think most of us would struggle to accomplish that, I don't think he will ultimately be happy in the one you are currently providing.

*Based solely on the pictures provided, it could just be the angle*

Ohh yes a adult russian???? We was sold him as a hermànns??

 

[Debbie26pet]

That's a Russian Tortoise "Testudo Horsfieldii". Tortoises don't like change much. Give him/her some time to settle in.

Was sold to us a a hermanns. So def needs bigger tank. He does run round this tank lol
Was told 16mths old. Does this look right. Or older?

 

[method89]

older. can't tell you exactly but doesnt look 16 months

@Carol S could probably give a better estimate

 

[Yvonne G]

Ohh yes a adult russian???? We was sold him as a hermànns??

No, not an adult. He's still a juvenile. I'd say a little over a year of age. But definitely a Russian.

 

[Tom]

Ohh yes a adult russian???? We was sold him as a hermànns??

Hello and welcome.

We can't tell the age from looking at a picture.

It will be easier to maintain the correct conditions in a large closed chamber, unless the room temperature and humidity are exactly what is needed. Here is the care info for your new tortoise:

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