Is this enclosure okay for him??

[JulesOkay]

My neighbors have a tortoise which I am taking care of while they are out of town. I started researching about him, and think that they might not be taking care of him correctly. I believe he is a Russian, but I included a pic, tell me if I'm wrong.
He is in a short, long plastic bin with red wood whips, I don't know the kind. He has a "Fluker's Jacuzzi" water bowl, which is just a stone bowl with steps. He has a really large purple castle hide, and a heating lamp light that shines on half of the cage. I turn it off every night. I put in a ping pong ball and a rubber ball because he was so restless, tell me if this is a no no.

So my concerns:
-Substrate is bone dry, and I was not instructed to mist or anything. The bottom layer is either the dust from the broken chips, or soil, I really can't tell.
-I have instructions to feed him lettuce (one large leaf) every morning, and believe that is what they do every morning. Is this safe/nutritional??
-His bin is shallow, so there is only about two inches of the dusty chips for burrowing.
-Today I noticed some mites. I think they're food mites, most are clear/white and not large enough for a picture. None appear to be on him. Is this okay?
-They're my neighbors and friends. Don't know how to say if something is wrong.

The tortoise in question is always going to the two open corners and digging at the plastic/trying to get out. I've been taking him outside twice a day for maybe an hour or so in all per day. I think they do this rarely but they told me I could. The enclosure is not enormous, maybe 1.5'/2' x 4'? It is indoors, and we live in a dry state with AC, so it's not very humid in the house.

Tell me if I'm worrying for nothing!

 

[JoesMum]

Hi. I am not sure about the species. If someone can confirm we can give you a care sheet that will explain everything.

The enclosure and diet don't sound great.

There is a limit to what you can do without your neighbours permission though.

You can help this tort by giving it a soak in warm water every morning in a high sided bowl that it can't see through for at least 30 minutes. The water should just come up over the plastron (undershell)

You can also widen the variety of greens it's fed by using spring mix, dandelions, clover, sow thistle, mulberry leaves, grape leaves - don't be surprised if it refuses to touch things it's not familiar with at first.

 

[KaitlinKeefe_]

looks Russian but I could be totally wrong

 

[KaitlinKeefe_]

looks like he needs a nice soak

 

[Alexio]

Looks like a Russian to me. I would consider making some changes as well mostly things you have hit on. It is hard because he's not really your Tortoise, and in my experience people don't often love being told they are doing the wrong thing in an unsolicited way.
Perhaps, instead of mentioning things that are wrong you could try to steer them towards this forum so they can find out from someone who isn't you what they could make some changes too.

 

[Gillian M]

I think that's a Russian tort.

Please read the "Beginners Mistakes" Thread and the care sheets. Ask any question when in need of help.

And a very warm welcome to the forum!

 

[JulesOkay]

Thanks everyone. Yeah, the biggest thing is obviously I'm not going to remove/buy anything for the tank as it is my neighbor's decision. I'll soak him. So just to the bottom of the shell? And will he be mad about that, or...? How big should the bowl be?

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

I agree with JoesMum, try feeding it different greens, HOPEFULLY, he will be willing to eat it.
And a the bowl should be a good size, enough for him to move around a little.
Russians have mixed feelings about soaks. But if he doesnt get soaked often, im sure you will see him drink for a long time.
I would spray the substrate or dump a little water in (if the tortoise is staying with you for an extended-ish time.
I have the same substrate.
Maybe when your friend comes back, say you enjoyed caring for the tortoise and you did a lot of research and found some really good info that they should take a look at. And of course mention the forum. You can even say that we have photos of cute torts. Hopefully that will really attract his/her attention to join.

 

[JoesMum]

Thanks everyone. Yeah, the biggest thing is obviously I'm not going to remove/buy anything for the tank as it is my neighbor's decision. I'll soak him. So just to the bottom of the shell? And will he be mad about that, or...? How big should the bowl be?

Any bowl with a flat bottom and high enough sides that he can't see over will do the job. The bowl needs to be a solid color - not see through

I find soaking is most successful in the morning before the tort has warmed up properly.

Have the water, warm not hot and it should just come up over his plastron (undershell)

Don't be surprised if he pees or poops in the water. That's normal. He may also poop some white stuff called urate. That's normal too!

Also don't be surprised if he tries to eat his poop - it's a tort thing... It happens

 

[JulesOkay]

He'll be staying with me for four more days. I was scared of spraying the substrate because of molding, I don't want to ruin some substrate that she put money into, not me. Would it mold?

Also, his tank is very very semi-see through. Translucent. He's always trying to escape, is that why?

Also, is bathing a daily thing for all torts?

And I don't have any dandelions or a spring mix. I think there might be mallow in the yard which he ignored when outside... any other food options (besides lettuce)? Also, we have cilantro, parsley, carrots. Or is it okay to feed him lettuce till they return from their trip?

Thanks for everyone's answers. Sorry about all the questions, I was to do the max I can without interfering excessively.

 

[JoesMum]

Feed him lettuce. It won't make much difference for 4 days. He may get a wider variety at home; they may be making it easier for you.

A tort that size would normally be soaked 2-3 times a week. The frequency increases for young animals and those that may be sick or dehydrated.

As for escape, Russians are very active. They need a minimum enclosure size of 4'x8'. It's no wonder this one wants to go elsewhere.

 

[cmacusa3]

He's trying to escape and wanting out because you've taken him outside and he knows it exists and now he wants out there. He would do this with something he can't see out of now

 

[JulesOkay]

Ah. Is it a bad thing to have taken him outside? I feel awful, I thought it helped him get some exercise... should I not anymore? Also, he's currently in the water. Just chilling. Thanks everyone.

 

[cmacusa3]

No it's a good thing, just shows that he needs more outside time. He was able to roam and get more space compared to that small enclosure

 

[cmacusa3]

You've absolutely been doing great things for this tortoise and hopefully you can pass this information on.

 

[JulesOkay]

Thank you. I feel kind of helpless, you know? But they are understanding and very kind neighbors, they won't be offended as long as I'm not a jerk about the whole thing

Okay, this soaking thing is starting to get nasty....

 

[JulesOkay]

Oh, and misting would be okay even with wood chips? No mold? How high should humidity be? I have a hydrometer I can quickly pop in if necessary from another pet.

 

[Pearly]

Wow! I am just so impressed with how industrious you are: petsitting and getting on specialty forum to learn! Industrious, proactive and very smart! You've got great advise here already. I just wanted to say hi and how good it made me feel to see your thread. Sometimes it feels like the world around is filled with such deficit in common sense. Seeing your thread is one of those things that fuel my hope and faith in humanity good for you! Good for that little tortoise you are watching! Thanks for making my day!

 

[JulesOkay]

Oh wow. Don't know if I deserve that, but thank you. Honestly, I started researching up on animals when caring for them after I got Hermit crabs and found out how misinformed everyone (especially the pet store) is about them. (No but seriously, I think a tortoise is easier than a hermit crab, which might sound unbelievable, but....)
Thank you. You made my day.

 

[Rue]

You are doing a wonderful thing!

Also...while people do tend to get defensive if told what to do, or if told what they are doing wrong, they generally react well to enthusiasm (just don't over do it). If you tell them how much you enjoyed tortoise sitting, and how you are doing research on them...etc., they will likely have a positive reaction.

Let them ask you questions about improving care, and see if they implement it. Odds are you'll get further ahead that way.

I think you can safely tell them something along the lines of:

"I read that tortoises do really well if they get a water soak 2 or 3 times a week! I gave your tortoise a few soaks and I think it's a really good thing!"

It seems like a safe place to start.