Introduction

[ram1162003]

Hi my name is Rebekah and I inherited a Russian tortoise as a class pet. I knew very little about her but I’m learning more every day. Her name is April and she is 16 years old. She had a recent vet visit and the vet said she is totally healthy and she had her beak trimmed. Thanks for letting me join!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello and welcome!

This (lengthy!) post will help you with all aspects of tortoise care: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/info-for-new-people-please-read-this-first.202363/ It's definitely worth reading to ensure the best life for this tortoise

As a quick suggestion - replace water dish with a terracotta saucer, large enough for tortoise to get into. They need to be well hydrated to stay healthy.

 

[ram1162003]

Hello and welcome!

This (lengthy!) post will help you with all aspects of tortoise care: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/info-for-new-people-please-read-this-first.202363/ It's definitely worth reading to ensure the best life for this tortoise

As a quick suggestion - replace water dish with a terracotta saucer, large enough for tortoise to get into. They need to be well hydrated to stay healthy.

Thank you! I’ve tried multiple water dishes and she will not go near the water. I bathe her once or twice a week and she hates it but I know she needs it.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you! I’ve tried multiple water dishes and she will not go near the water. I bathe her once or twice a week and she hates it but I know she needs it.

Hello and welcome! definitely still offer fresh water daily in a terracotta saucer. Lol yeah a lot are fussy come soak time, but it’s ok, makes good exercise

It looks like she’s going to need an enclosure upgrade as soon as you can(if that’s her habitat in the photo) so I think you’ll find this thread I made a good read! It covers correct equipment(very easy to have the wrong bulbs so definitely double check), levels, sizing, substrates, appropriately maintaining humidity(not that these guys need it high), there’s lots of visual examples for everything and a great diet link to check out!

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This one is also good to familiarise with, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I also encourage you to double check purchases here before you buy!

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope this helps! Any further questions, please ask away

 

[SinLA]

has she lived her whole life in that glass tank? Hopefully you'll be willing to give her the life she deserves, unfortunately that is not a healthy or good way to keep a tortoise, though unfortunately many schools do that way.

 

[wellington]

Agree, she needs out of that tank and in an appropriate size enclosure, 4x8 foot and preferably an outside enclosure too. Even though you may not think so, she also needs an appropriate water dish which is a low sided clay saucer as mentioned.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

As you probably know now, we are pretty much against tortoises as classroom pets.
Welcome to the forum

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome, Rebekah!

 

[TammyJ]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

 

[ram1162003]

As you probably know now, we are pretty much against tortoises as classroom pets.
Welcome to the forum

I’m not for her being a class pet either so I removed her from the classroom.

 

[ram1162003]

Agree, she needs out of that tank and in an appropriate size enclosure, 4x8 foot and preferably an outside enclosure too. Even though you may not think so, she also needs an appropriate water dish which is a low sided clay saucer as mentioned.

Thank you I will look into all of that.

 

[ram1162003]

has she lived her whole life in that glass tank? Hopefully you'll be willing to give her the life she deserves, unfortunately that is not a healthy or good way to keep a tortoise, though unfortunately many schools do that way.

As far as I’m aware yes. But now she is at my house.

 

[ram1162003]

Hello and welcome! definitely still offer fresh water daily in a terracotta saucer. Lol yeah a lot are fussy come soak time, but it’s ok, makes good exercise

It looks like she’s going to need an enclosure upgrade as soon as you can(if that’s her habitat in the photo) so I think you’ll find this thread I made a good read! It covers correct equipment(very easy to have the wrong bulbs so definitely double check), levels, sizing, substrates, appropriately maintaining humidity(not that these guys need it high), there’s lots of visual examples for everything and a great diet link to check out!

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This one is also good to familiarise with, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I also encourage you to double check purchases here before you buy!

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope this helps! Any further questions, please ask away

Thank you! I will read them and look for purchases.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I’m not for her being a class pet either so I removed her from the classroom.

Good to hear! Keep us updated