My first Russian Tortoise

[thomasbwang]

Just bought one from a pet store, no idea how old and gender, even no name yet now.
I am going to set up a new home for it.

 

[dmmj]

Welcome looks like you have got a male russian there.

 

[thomasbwang]

Welcome looks like you have got a male russian there.

Thanks!
Just wondering is it a normal Russian one? Wild captured? As you can see this little guy's back colour is black, seems different from those we see in the forum.

 

[wellington]

Hello and WELCOME

 

[JoesMum]

I think you have a male too. It's very difficult to tell age because they all grow at different rates. He's likely to be 5+

In my signature below this posts are some links that will be useful to you.

Tom's Beginner Mistakes has all sorts of helpful information.

My Soaking Tips will help your new tort stay hydrated amd settle in. Torts can be very slow to adapt to change, so expect him to hide away a lot for the next couple of weeks.

Your Tort's diet should be leafy greens. He can't digest the sugars in fruit, including tomato and bell pepper, so it should only be fed very occasionally, preferably never, to stop him getting sick. Carrots are high in sugar too, so they count as fruit where torts are concerned. The Tortoise Table link below is brilliant for looking up stuff you can buy in the grocery store, or that you find growing outside, to see if it's suitable food.

He needs lots of space and will be happiest outdoors if possible. Be careful though; Russians are brilliant at climbing and digging... So make sure he doesn't escape

 

[dmmj]

He looks good, more than likely wild caught, pet stores russians usually are.

 

[thomasbwang]

He looks good, more than likely wild caught, pet stores russians usually are.

Thanks!
It sizes 12cm X 11cm， weights heavy when in hand.

 

[thomasbwang]

I think you have a male too. It's very difficult to tell age because they all grow at different rates. He's likely to be 5+

In my signature below this posts are some links that will be useful to you.

Tom's Beginner Mistakes has all sorts of helpful information.

My Soaking Tips will help your new tort stay hydrated amd settle in. Torts can be very slow to adapt to change, so expect him to hide away a lot for the next couple of weeks.

Your Tort's diet should be leafy greens. He can't digest the sugars in fruit, including tomato and bell pepper, so it should only be fed very occasionally, preferably never, to stop him getting sick. Carrots are high in sugar too, so they count as fruit where torts are concerned. The Tortoise Table link below is brilliant for looking up stuff you can buy in the grocery store, or that you find growing outside, to see if it's suitable food.

He needs lots of space and will be happiest outdoors if possible. Be careful though; Russians are brilliant at climbing and digging... So make sure he doesn't escape

Many many thanks for your advise!

 

[JoesMum]

No problem... By the way, we LOVE pictures

 

[thomasbwang]

Just wondering dose it really need a UVA or UVB light?

 

[dmmj]

Just wondering dose it really need a UVA or UVB light?

If it is indoors, then yes it does, if it is an outdoor tortoise then no.

 

[thomasbwang]

No problem... By the way, we LOVE pictures

So any good advice for my tort's name, since it's a man...?

 

[JoesMum]

Your tort needs UVB which helps it make vitamin D which in turn helps it to absorb calcium to keep his bones and shell healthy.

If your tort can't go outdoors, you need a lamp.

The options are an MVB which also provides a basking heat, or a tube UVB with a separate basking bulb. Coil UVB can cause eye problems and isn't recommended.

Indoors, your heat and light should be on for 12-14 hours a day (use a timer) You need 95F under the basking lamp so your tort can digest food properly and then a gradient warm side to cool side of 90F to 70f roughly. Overnight temps shouldn't drop below 60

 

[thomasbwang]

Your tort needs UVB which helps it make vitamin D which in turn helps it to absorb calcium to keep his bones and shell healthy.

If your tort can't go outdoors, you need a lamp.

The options are an MVB which also provides a basking heat, or a tube UVB with a separate basking bulb. Coil UVB can cause eye problems and isn't recommended.

Indoors, your heat and light should be on for 12-14 hours a day (use a timer) You need 95F under the basking lamp so your tort can digest food properly and then a gradient warm side to cool side of 90F to 70f roughly. Overnight temps shouldn't drop below 60

Thanks! And what size the tank should be for just himself?

 

[JoesMum]

As big as you have room for! Minimum one square foot per square inch of plastron (undershell) is recommended.

You don't need to spend a fortune, a second hand book case with the shelves knocked out makes a great table. Line it with heavy polythene, shower oan liner or pond liner.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Thomas:

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

Your new little Russian (Steppe) tortoise shouldn't be eating that much fruit. If you want to give him one little occasional piece as a treat, that would be ok, but not a big plateful like that.

Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.

May we know appx. where in the world you are?

 

[thomasbwang]

Hi Thomas:

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

Your new little Russian (Steppe) tortoise shouldn't be eating that much fruit. If you want to give him one little occasional piece as a treat, that would be ok, but not a big plateful like that.

Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.

May we know appx. where in the world you are?

Okay, thanks, now I know it!
I am in Vancouver, Canada, and bought this tort yesterday in petsmart in WA, USA.

 

[eternalnewb]

Hi and welcome, I'm pretty knew here myself and I am also from Vancouver. When I was looking for a tortoise I went down to Washington and was very tempted by how inexpensive and readily available tortoises are down there but I knew that I could not legally bring one back. I ended up getting a baby from a breeder here in Canada which I'm happy with but it cost 5X what they go for in the US.

 

[thomasbwang]

Hi and welcome, I'm pretty knew here myself and I am also from Vancouver. When I was looking for a tortoise I went down to Washington and was very tempted by how inexpensive and readily available tortoises are down there but I knew that I could not legally bring one back. I ended up getting a baby from a breeder here in Canada which I'm happy with but it cost 5X what they go for in the US.

Haha, that's so easy to take it back to Vancouver, they don't care about it at all!

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Now my Andy stars to eat romaine, he loves it so much!

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As big as you have room for! Minimum one square foot per square inch of plastron (undershell) is recommended.

You don't need to spend a fortune, a second hand book case with the shelves knocked out makes a great table. Line it with heavy polythene, shower oan liner or pond liner.

Hey JoseMum,

What about the temp and humidity requirement for my new tort, if indoor?

Thanks

 

[lynnedit]

Here is a good web site to read about a recommended diet and enclosures.
http://russiantortoise.net/

And as mentioned, if there is any way to set your tortoise up safely outside in the summer months (even during the day, inside at night), he will thrive.
As long as you keep the substrate moist (not wet), you don't have to worry about humidity.
This is a good bulb when your tortoise will be inside: both heat and UVB
http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?EntryID=109&DatabaseID=2&SearchID=1
(look on Amazon too).

After you investigate the above web site, be sure to ask more questions if you have them!