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Improvements to tortoise table?
- Thread starter Jordan67
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What does your lighting look like?
Hi Jordan:
I'm guessing that the tortoise's hiding place is at the bottom of the picture? In my opinion, while it is a very nice tort table, it really isn't big enough for a russian tortoise of that size. Also, it might be nice to have a few sight barriers in there...a big rock, some plants...something to break up the line of sight and make it seem bigger to the tortoise.
I'm guessing that the tortoise's hiding place is at the bottom of the picture? In my opinion, while it is a very nice tort table, it really isn't big enough for a russian tortoise of that size. Also, it might be nice to have a few sight barriers in there...a big rock, some plants...something to break up the line of sight and make it seem bigger to the tortoise.
1. He needs a hide box or two. I'd make at least one of them a humid hide.
2. I'd use a terra cotta plant saucer for water. I can't tell for sure from the pic, but the sides of that water dish seem too high to me.
3. Romaine is not a great diet. You need broadleaf weeds. Do some diet research.
4. Related to number three, substrate eating is usually related to dietary deficiency. Address that, get some MinerAll and then reintroduce a proper substrate that can hold some dampness.
Can you tell us your four temps?
2. I'd use a terra cotta plant saucer for water. I can't tell for sure from the pic, but the sides of that water dish seem too high to me.
3. Romaine is not a great diet. You need broadleaf weeds. Do some diet research.
4. Related to number three, substrate eating is usually related to dietary deficiency. Address that, get some MinerAll and then reintroduce a proper substrate that can hold some dampness.
Can you tell us your four temps?
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Thanks for the replys, I probably should have shown you he has another part of the table where he can hide, see the attached photo. His basking area is about 95-100 degrees with surrounding areas about 70-80 degrees. I am planning on getting him a bigger enclosure but when he has grown a little. I will get some bigger rocks in there too. I was planning on changing his substrate to 2 parts soil and 1 part sand but due to him eating it I couldn't. I feed him a varied diet not just romain, I also feed him dandelions, spring mix, water cress, mustard greens, rocket, baby leaf, cabbage on occasion, parsley and other stuff I'm growing.
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Your baby might enjoy a little pot with a plant in it...I'm working on that right now for both an outdoor enclosure and my indoor enclosure. I bought seeds for flowering plants that I found on the edible plant list from http://russiantortoise.net/care_sheet.htm I can't wait for them to start to grow and be big enough to put into the enclosures.
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That looks better already just by adding the plant 
I'd add a smallish flower pot that he can climb in and out of at the warmer end since he has a hide at the cool end. I have a water dish like that and if you bury it into the substrate a little it's easier for them to get in and out without face planting.
Have you tried the coco coir substrate? I have found it to be best, maybe worth a try? They come in blocks that you add water to and they expand.
I'd add a smallish flower pot that he can climb in and out of at the warmer end since he has a hide at the cool end. I have a water dish like that and if you bury it into the substrate a little it's easier for them to get in and out without face planting.
Have you tried the coco coir substrate? I have found it to be best, maybe worth a try? They come in blocks that you add water to and they expand.
Temps sound good to me. I'd still add a humid hide though, especially since he's on a dry substrate. I'd soak at least two or three times a week too.
Sounds like a good variety of grocery store foods, but nothing meets their needs as well as weeds. More fiber, different nutrients and nutrient balances. Yours might be eating the substrate because of this. There is a product called "Salad Style" that is basically shredded grass hay that you can sprinkle on top of grocery store foods to give it some much needed added fiber. I got mine from tortoisesupply.com. Adding this to the diet and supplementing with MinerAll, will probably put a stop to the substrate eating and allow you to use something more suitable.
Sounds like a good variety of grocery store foods, but nothing meets their needs as well as weeds. More fiber, different nutrients and nutrient balances. Yours might be eating the substrate because of this. There is a product called "Salad Style" that is basically shredded grass hay that you can sprinkle on top of grocery store foods to give it some much needed added fiber. I got mine from tortoisesupply.com. Adding this to the diet and supplementing with MinerAll, will probably put a stop to the substrate eating and allow you to use something more suitable.
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I think that's what I use the soil that comes in blocks? The plant pot idea seems good too thanks.
How do I make a humid area?
How do I make a humid area?
I use plastic shoe boxes or upside down black dish washing tubs from WalMart. Cut a door hole, flip the tub upside down over some damp substrate and you are done. For a shoe box type; cut a door hole, fill it with damp substrate, sink it into the substrate a bit, and the you are done with this one too.
They really go a long way with helping to keep your tortoise hydrated and growing smoothly. They simulate the natural microclimates that tortoise would be free to choose from in the wild.
They really go a long way with helping to keep your tortoise hydrated and growing smoothly. They simulate the natural microclimates that tortoise would be free to choose from in the wild.
If there is a Target near you, in the garden section, by the seeds, they have coco blocks as seed starting medium. Great price at 2.57 I think it was. They also have a good selection of greens in the seed section, including cat grass which you can grow in your tortoise table. It's both pretty and healthy,
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