Lilly's renovation

[Lillysmytort]

After a long discussion, Lilly talked me into renovating her penthouse. She said that if I could spruce up her bachelorette pad, I could buy some new knitting needles and sock yarn... DEAL!!!!

Here are the before and afters!!

View attachment 66844

 

[diamondbp]

I only see one picture

 

[Lillysmytort]

I'm trying to post it...

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Before

After

 

[Elohi]

Is there normally a water dish?

 

[Lillysmytort]

Yes it's on the other side...

 

[gtc]

Some comments/questions:

It looks way too small for a russian of that size. How are your temperatures?
Where are the lights?
Are you measuring humidity in there? It seems very dry.

 

[Lillysmytort]

I took the lights out to set it up... And it's not a permanent enclosure, her mansion is under construction (made out of 3 repurposed dresser drawers with a digging hole and some edibles). Her warm side on average is at 90*. She has a ceramic heater that keeps at around 75*. I am struggling with the humidity, but she gets a spa treatment every day...

What is the best way to keep the humidity up? Her water dis is under the basking lamp, I head that helps.

 

[gtc]

I took the lights out to set it up... And it's not a permanent enclosure, her mansion is under construction (made out of 3 repurposed dresser drawers with a digging hole and some edibles). Her warm side on average is at 90*. She has a ceramic heater that keeps at around 75*. I am struggling with the humidity, but she gets a spa treatment every day...

What is the best way to keep the humidity up? Her water dis is under the basking lamp, I head that helps.

Nice, have fun building her enclosure Basking temp of around 95-100 F is recommended by most members. Night temps in the low 60s is ok. Dont keep him hot at night. What kind of lights do you use? For humidity change substrate to coco coir and partially cover top.

 

[Lillysmytort]

So I can turn her heater on during the day to bring up her temps and she'll be ok at night with just room temp at about 65-70*?

 

[gtc]

So I can turn her heater on during the day to bring up her temps and she'll be ok at night with just room temp at about 65-70*?

Absolutely. Even as low as 55-60 can be ok for russians at night. Testudo species do not need and should not be kept very warm at night.

 

[Tom]

All good advice from GTC.

Here are some threads for you to read:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-22635.html
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-45180.html
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-80698.html

If you'll take just a moment to read them, you will have a much better understanding of what's going on and how to improve your tortoises set up.

 

[TortsNTurtles]

My night temps are anywhere from 65 to 72 averaging 68 . Is that to warm for my Russians night temps?

 

[gtc]

My night temps are anywhere from 65 to 72 averaging 68 . Is that to warm for my Russians night temps?

That is ok but don't let it get much warmer than. Read the last link Tom provided, lots of great info on russians (also about temperatures).

 

[bouaboua]

Great information. Lots to learn. Thanks.

 

[TortsNTurtles]

Thanks I will watch more closely!