Sheldon30
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12-18 month old Russian tortoise. I've had this little boy 2 weeks now and he seems to have settled into his new surroundings really well.Meet Sheldon!
- Thread starter Sheldon30
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12-18 month old Russian tortoise. I've had this little boy 2 weeks now and he seems to have settled into his new surroundings really well.
Welcome to you and Sheldon.
This is a fantastic place to learn about up to date methods from very experienced keepers.
As you are posting in the Russian section you may have already found the caresheet for them which will tell you all about diet temps humidity and substrate - I think the one you're using may be too dry for a Russian - but check that on the care sheet.
Also He may find it easier to access his food if you sink the dish level with the substrate - same with his water dish - a cheap terracotta plant saucer sink level with the substrate will be safer than the steeps sides of pet shop dishes which can cause them to flip back and drown.
The Beginners Mistakes thread is also good for learning from the mistakes of others (link below) and the Enclosures thread has some great ideas for making an happy and safe home for torts.
This is a fantastic place to learn about up to date methods from very experienced keepers.
As you are posting in the Russian section you may have already found the caresheet for them which will tell you all about diet temps humidity and substrate - I think the one you're using may be too dry for a Russian - but check that on the care sheet.
Also He may find it easier to access his food if you sink the dish level with the substrate - same with his water dish - a cheap terracotta plant saucer sink level with the substrate will be safer than the steeps sides of pet shop dishes which can cause them to flip back and drown.
The Beginners Mistakes thread is also good for learning from the mistakes of others (link below) and the Enclosures thread has some great ideas for making an happy and safe home for torts.
Hello and welcome.
Sheldon will fare much better with some substrate that can hold moisture an let him dig into it a bit.
Check these out:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
Sheldon will fare much better with some substrate that can hold moisture an let him dig into it a bit.
Check these out:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
Sheldon is adorable!
I raise Russian tortoises. For my hatchlings and juveniles I use ZooMed coconut coir (Eco Earth) which I keep moist. I also use ZooMed Sphagnum moss which I keep moist. I put several large piles of the moist moss on top of the coconut coir in the enclosure on the warm side - one pile by their basking light and the other pile in the area where it is in the 80's. They love to burrow into the moist moss and this helps to keep them hydrated and promotes a smooth beautiful shell.
I raise Russian tortoises. For my hatchlings and juveniles I use ZooMed coconut coir (Eco Earth) which I keep moist. I also use ZooMed Sphagnum moss which I keep moist. I put several large piles of the moist moss on top of the coconut coir in the enclosure on the warm side - one pile by their basking light and the other pile in the area where it is in the 80's. They love to burrow into the moist moss and this helps to keep them hydrated and promotes a smooth beautiful shell.
yillt
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Welcome 
Sheldon is such a cutie-pie!!! Feel free to reach out to me if you ever need help with an outdoor tortoise garden or selecting plants native to your area. Growing your own tortoise food can be a great hobby that results in a beautiful garden! The Tortoise Table is always a great place to start! Best of luck! 
Feel free to reach out to me if you ever need help with an outdoor tortoise garden or selecting plants native to your area. Growing your own tortoise food can be a great hobby that results in a beautiful garden! The Tortoise Table is always a great place to start! Best of luck!
Sheldon30
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- Jan 8, 2016
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Thank you all for your very warm welcome, I'm learning so much off this forum already, I'm so eager to learn more. Sheldon now has organic top soil in his enclosure which he seems to enjoy. I've started to grow some of his food at home (dandelion, watercress, pansie) although I still buy rocket, lambs lettuce from the local store. Sheldon also has cuttlefish bone in his enclosure. He also enjoys his daily baths and empties himself after each one!!
Love this little boy so much, any advice would be greatly appreciated, many thanks in advance, from myself and little Sheldon x
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Sheldon30
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The little guy!
Sheldon30
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Thank you, I found Sheldon was able to reach this more easily, he has a great appetite although I worrie about how much food is to much or not enough?
molly.b
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Wow that looks great!!!
molly.b
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What kinds of bedding is that? And where do you get that type of plant
I was told to think of his shell as an upturned dish and feed enough to fill it, as a general guide, but if he eats it all offer more and if he leaves some offer less. He will be your best guide. He is beautiful.
Welcome to TFO! Sheldon is a cutie. I am a "Redfoot grandma" also use glass tank for the nursery. Love your pictures! Keep posting/sharing
here I was experimenting with different ways of covering the surface of substrate as well as hides. This was coco coir covered sheet moss and sime sphagnum inside the hides
here I was experimenting with different ways of covering the surface of substrate as well as hides. This was coco coir covered sheet moss and sime sphagnum inside the hides
He really is sweet.Great to see more wonderful photos of Sheldon. He is one adorable tort!
