Is he growing too slowly?

[Mllx_yy]

Hi so I have a Russian tortoise he’s 1yr 2months old and I went to the shop I got him from today and saw all the ones he used to be with where a lot bigger? He’s still very tiny and wasn’t sure if he’s fine or there’s something wrong with his growing? I’ll put some photos up of him! Also do I need a new uv light after a year? Thank you!

 

[Sarah2020]

UV should be changed after a year but it depends how much you use it. Re growth.... Slow and smooth is what your aiming for. Check setup, heat, diet light, substrate , environment size. If all looks good keep on going. You can not compare other tortoise as different owners and set up. I do however recommend a weekly weight log using digital scales. This helps you to see weight gain and loss. Finally my tortoise has reached 500g and kept above it, for most of last year he was up and down like a yo-yo! Growth is a patient journey! If you have space outside consider building an outside end for warmer sunny days. My tortoise has thrived because he has outside time in the UK summer.

 

[Yvonne G]

He doesn't show much growth. What do you feed? Also a bright light does wonders for them, and do you have a UVB light? Do you soak him in abowl of water that he can't climb out of daily for about 15 minutes? Do you keep the temperature in the 80s day and night?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Don’t suppose you can answer any of these? Might help with some housing pointers

What are your temperatures like all over? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps(middle and cooler side), night temps?
What kind of basking bulb is being used specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
Do you use indoor uv? If so what kind?
How’s humidity?
What’s his substrate? Coir?
What kind of monitoring do you have? Just those analog gauges or?
What’s his diet been like with you?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hi so I have a Russian tortoise he’s 1yr 2months old and I went to the shop I got him from today and saw all the ones he used to be with where a lot bigger? He’s still very tiny and wasn’t sure if he’s fine or there’s something wrong with his growing? I’ll put some photos up of him! Also do I need a new uv light after a year? Thank you!

How much does he weigh?

 

[Mllx_yy]

UV should be changed after a year but it depends how much you use it. Re growth.... Slow and smooth is what your aiming for. Check setup, heat, diet light, substrate , environment size. If all looks good keep on going. You can not compare other tortoise as different owners and set up. I do however recommend a weekly weight log using digital scales. This helps you to see weight gain and loss. Finally my tortoise has reached 500g and kept above it, for most of last year he was up and down like a yo-yo! Growth is a patient journey! If you have space outside consider building an outside end for warmer sunny days. My tortoise has thrived because he has outside time in the UK summer.

I keep the uv and the spot lamp for 12hrs a day so I should get a new one? When I first got him I came on here to make sure everything I had was good for him and had to make quite a few changes so I’m happy with how his setup is, I’ll start weight log do I weight him every day? Weekly? Yes I do let my tortoise out in the summer I just sit with him and chase him if he goes somewhere not allowed

 

[Mllx_yy]

He doesn't show much growth. What do you feed? Also a bright light does wonders for them, and do you have a UVB light? Do you soak him in abowl of water that he can't climb out of daily for about 15 minutes? Do you keep the temperature in the 80s day and night?

He gets loads of different salad I give him lambs lettuce, rocket, watercress, kale, spring greens, pack koi, courgette, romaine lettuce, gem lettuce and more. I have a UVB light but I think I need a new one since it’s been a year? He actually soaks himself he will sit in his own water bowl for about 30mins a day. His temperature during the days is about 32-35’c night about 25-28’c.

 

[Mllx_yy]

Don’t suppose you can answer any of these? Might help with some housing pointers

What are your temperatures like all over? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps(middle and cooler side), night temps?
What kind of basking bulb is being used specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
Do you use indoor uv? If so what kind?
How’s humidity?
What’s his substrate? Coir?
What kind of monitoring do you have? Just those analog gauges or?
What’s his diet been like with you?

So about 28’c on the Cold side and 32-35’c on the hot side, at night it goes down to about 25-28’c. I’ll upload a photo of my spot bulb but there is a better spot bulb I could use that I was going to buy after this bulb dies, I don’t have his old uvb package but I’ve had it check on here before and it was fine. I don’t have a humidity checker but it feels pretty humid to me, yes I use coco coir. I’ll upload a photo of my monitor. He has a bunch of salads like lambs lettuce, romain lettuce, gem lettuce, pack koi, courgette, rocket, watercress and more but I can see my to get him to eat dandelions or other stuff that is good for him he’s so picky. He also chills in his cold side a lot or he just exploring

 

[Mllx_yy]

How much does he weigh?

He weighs 68grams

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I keep the uv and the spot lamp for 12hrs a day so I should get a new one? When I first got him I came on here to make sure everything I had was good for him and had to make quite a few changes so I’m happy with how his setup is, I’ll start weight log do I weight him every day? Weekly? Yes I do let my tortoise out in the summer I just sit with him and chase him if he goes somewhere not allowed

Spot lamps are not recommended, try to find an incandescent FLOOD bulb instead.

What kind UV lamp are you using?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

He gets loads of different salad I give him lambs lettuce, rocket, watercress, kale, spring greens, pack koi, courgette, romaine lettuce, gem lettuce and more. I have a UVB light but I think I need a new one since it’s been a year? He actually soaks himself he will sit in his own water bowl for about 30mins a day. His temperature during the days is about 32-35’c night about 25-28’c.

Do you supplement fiber or calcium in anyway? How is the basking temperature like versus the ambient day time temperature?

 

[Tom]

I keep the uv and the spot lamp for 12hrs a day so I should get a new one? When I first got him I came on here to make sure everything I had was good for him and had to make quite a few changes so I’m happy with how his setup is, I’ll start weight log do I weight him every day? Weekly? Yes I do let my tortoise out in the summer I just sit with him and chase him if he goes somewhere not allowed

He is a bit undersized, but not terrible.

Spot bulbs should not be used. Get a flood bulb:

No one can tell you if your UV tube needs to be replaced. Only a Solarmeter 6.5 can answer that question for you. You can replace it, but without a meter there is no way to know if your tortoise is receiving the correct amount of UV.

The UV tube should only run for a few hours mid day. It should not be on for 12 hours a day.

You need to make a secure outdoor enclosure. If you keep running him loose like that you will lose him, and you will be terrible when that day finally comes.

All those plastic plants that make the enclosure look nice to you are a hard to your tortoise. He is likely eating them, and this could be blocking him up and causing the slow growth. I've never been able to use plastic plants in my enclosures.

Are you adding amendments, fiber and calcium to the grocery store greens? Those greens by themselves are not adequate to sustain and grow a tortoise, but they are a great delivery vehicle for all the right stuff.

Have you seen this thread? All this and more is explained in it:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

So about 28’c on the Cold side and 32-35’c on the hot side, at night it goes down to about 25-28’c. I’ll upload a photo of my spot bulb but there is a better spot bulb I could use that I was going to buy after this bulb dies, I don’t have his old uvb package but I’ve had it check on here before and it was fine. I don’t have a humidity checker but it feels pretty humid to me, yes I use coco coir. I’ll upload a photo of my monitor. He has a bunch of salads like lambs lettuce, romain lettuce, gem lettuce, pack koi, courgette, rocket, watercress and more but I can see my to get him to eat dandelions or other stuff that is good for him he’s so picky. He also chills in his cold side a lot or he just exploring

Thank you for your reply! I think just some minor tweaking might help you here, so I’d get yourself a floodlight instead of the spot bulb as mentioned above, aricadia do them pretty cheap.

For your monitoring I’d actually suggest you go digital that measure both temperature and humidity, those analog gauges can be inaccurate, it’s also important to know your humidity. Temperature guns come in really handy too!

I think you’ll find this one useful, I’m from the uk too so you might find some of my product suggestions easier to find! this thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! Ignore the greenhouse idea, you already have a good closed chamber here!

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is probably most important to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

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 they come in useful!

 

[Mllx_yy]

Spot lamps are not recommended, try to find an incandescent FLOOD bulb instead.

What kind UV lamp are you using?

Yes, I got told that about the spot lamp and I will be changing it once the spot lamp dies. I’ve given a photo of my uv before I will find it and add it to this post for you!

 

[Mllx_yy]

Do you supplement fiber or calcium in anyway? How is the basking temperature like versus the ambient day time temperature?

Yes he gets calcium mon, tue, thur and Friday then wed and sat nutrobal! What do you mean by ambient day time temperature?

 

[Mllx_yy]

He is a bit undersized, but not terrible.

Spot bulbs should not be used. Get a flood bulb:
View attachment 387830
No one can tell you if your UV tube needs to be replaced. Only a Solarmeter 6.5 can answer that question for you. You can replace it, but without a meter there is no way to know if your tortoise is receiving the correct amount of UV.

The UV tube should only run for a few hours mid day. It should not be on for 12 hours a day.

You need to make a secure outdoor enclosure. If you keep running him loose like that you will lose him, and you will be terrible when that day finally comes.

All those plastic plants that make the enclosure look nice to you are a hard to your tortoise. He is likely eating them, and this could be blocking him up and causing the slow growth. I've never been able to use plastic plants in my enclosures.

Are you adding amendments, fiber and calcium to the grocery store greens? Those greens by themselves are not adequate to sustain and grow a tortoise, but they are a great delivery vehicle for all the right stuff.

Have you seen this thread? All this and more is explained in it:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

Yes, I will get a flood bulb once the spot one has died. When I let him out during the summer I follow him he is always 5second pick up away from me but now I have a indoor bunny I will be getting a run which I’ll section a bit off for tortoise! I’m not trying to say your wrong in anyway but my tortoise is probably the fussiest tortoise you’ll meet he doesn’t even eat dandelions, I do check the plastic plants for bite marks or eaten pieces but all he does is climb and hide in them the only animal that’s tried to eat them is my bunny yes he gets calcium and nutrobal on set days! I’ll check out the thread!!! Thank you for your help!

 

[Mllx_yy]

Thank you for your reply! I think just some minor tweaking might help you here, so I’d get yourself a floodlight instead of the spot bulb as mentioned above, aricadia do them pretty cheap.

For your monitoring I’d actually suggest you go digital that measure both temperature and humidity, those analog gauges can be inaccurate, it’s also important to know your humidity. Temperature guns come in really handy too!

I think you’ll find this one useful, I’m from the uk too so you might find some of my product suggestions easier to find! this thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! Ignore the greenhouse idea, you already have a good closed chamber here!

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is probably most important to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

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 they come in useful!

I sad thing is I bought a digital monitor for his heat and humidity 2days later the wire had been bitten in half by my bunny my mistake!! I’m going to change his uvb and bulb soon as well as getting a new monitor! Thanks for the threads I’ll have a look, if you also know any good stores in the uk for supplies please could you let me know!! Thank you

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I sad thing is I bought a digital monitor for his heat and humidity 2days later the wire had been bitten in half by my bunny my mistake!! I’m going to change his uvb and bulb soon as well as getting a new monitor! Thanks for the threads I’ll have a look, if you also know any good stores in the uk for supplies please could you let me know!! Thank you

No problem! Swell reptile and internet reptile is pretty good!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Yes he gets calcium mon, tue, thur and Friday then wed and sat nutrobal! What do you mean by ambient day time temperature?

I mean the temperature outside the range of the basking bulb.

Fiber supplementation is important to use when feeding grocery store greens. Good quality pellets are a easy way to go about it.

 

[Tom]

Yes, I will get a flood bulb once the spot one has died. When I let him out during the summer I follow him he is always 5second pick up away from me but now I have a indoor bunny I will be getting a run which I’ll section a bit off for tortoise! I’m not trying to say your wrong in anyway but my tortoise is probably the fussiest tortoise you’ll meet he doesn’t even eat dandelions, I do check the plastic plants for bite marks or eaten pieces but all he does is climb and hide in them the only animal that’s tried to eat them is my bunny yes he gets calcium and nutrobal on set days! I’ll check out the thread!!! Thank you for your help!

Spot bulbs cause irreversible permanent damage to a growing carapace. It needs to be replace now, not after it burns out. It is doing damage to your tortoise every day you use it. Appetite and growth are likely to pick up with spring time arriving, and now is the most critical time to have the correct bulb over him.

All tortoises are fussy eaters. You have to take the time to slowly introduce new foods. They don't just eat new things the first time you show it to them. Its a long process, and it is necessary.

Everyone who does what you are doing with the tortoise free roaming thinks what you are thinking now. I did it too. Then, one day, without warning, they lose their tortoise. You blink, look at your phone, got into the house to get a drink, etc... One moment of inattention and your tortoise will vanish. You will literally feel panicked and nauseated. Its awful. You don't have to learn this lesson the hard way.