Introducing Mr. Mr. Turtle!

[Chef]

Hello all,

First time to these forums. I would like to introduce my new Russian Tortoise. I was told the tortoise was a female by the PetSmart employee (I know, they can be wrong, but she was fairly sure of herself), but after researching the differences between the two genders, I believe I have a male.

I have had him for 8 days and so far I think everything is going fine. I got the Exo Terra Repti-Glo 10.0 but it broke so for a few days he had no UVB, only a ceramic heater and a 100w incandescent lamp. He kept burrowing very deep and I think he was possibly preparing for hibernation because of the lack of proper lighting, from what I've read anyway.

Now I have the Exo Terra SunRay fixture (50w) and I must say it is awesome! The light it produces is very clean and the fixture itself is sleek. He has been basking in it nonstop.

I would like to only use the basking bulb as the heatsource as it keeps the terrarium at about 74 F. I have a seed heating mat underneath the tank to keep the substrate warm but I'm not sure if it's necessary. I have about 4 inches of Exo Terra coco coir and play sand mixture as substrate.

He's been eating Romaine lettuce and a few dandelion greens with calcium powder.

Any feedback on the setup, general advice, and thoughts on the sex would be greatly appreciated!

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. Nice little Russian that looks pretty boyish too me

 

[Chef]

Hello and Welcome. Nice little Russian that looks pretty boyish too me

Yes to me as well. The three features I was looking at were the downsloping of the rear of the top shell, the V shape at the rear of the under shell, and the give away is the large tail. Does that seem correct to any one else?

 

[T33's Torts]

He looks a lot like my Fern!

 

[Chef]

Hello and Welcome. Nice little Russian that looks pretty boyish too me

Hello wellington,

While I have you in the thread I would like to ask a question. I noticed on number 3 of your Beginners Mistake that you do not recommend sand at all. I looked online and found that sand and coco coir was the choice of multiple tortoise keepers. The sand mixture I'm using feels moist enough, but I don't really like the sand as it gets the tortoise dirty and collects around his eyes.

What would you suggest as the best substrate?

Any tips/hints/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

You can change the percentage of your sand/coir mixture to show more coir. I think most people use about 20/80 sand/coir. I prefer cypress mulch, though, so I'm not real sure about the percentages.

If you make sure your russian is well hydrated the sand shouldn't be a problem...but as is shown in your pictures...too much sand is pretty messy.

 

[Saleama]

I agree with Yvonne. I use coco coir/ cypress mulch mixture. Less mess, more moisture and it does not cause impaction issues like sand might.

 

[Chef]

I'm concerned that he is spending too much time underground and not enough basking. Today the entire day was spent burrowed deep into the substrate? Is this normal or a sign of something wrong?

 

[wellington]

Russians are a brumating (hibernating) species. He may be trying to do that. Bump up the temps and maybe add more lighting and leave them on for 12 hours. Sand can cause impaction. As stated, mix ore coir with it or cypress mulch. The threads you read are not mind. They are forum member Tom's I just help to promote them.

 

[Chef]

He keeps trying to hibernate. I got him out of the sand today, added a ceramic heater and set the temp to 80 F. He ate, drank, basked for a while, and when I got home from work he was back underground. He has hiding places and a cooler side of the time. I misted the tank and the substrate is moist. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong or he just wants to sleep?