New Russian tortoise owner!

[nikitab]

Hi I recently got a horsefield tortoise and I've been reading up a lot but some sites say different things so I'm a little confused!
Tort is eating well he likes dandelions and weeds but doesn't seem to be drinking at all, is there a reason?
Also I'd like to make sure his table is set out okay? He's only 8 months old.

Any advice would be great!

P.S in photos you can't see his hide very well it's quite spacious and dark inside for him

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

Just be sure he's warm enought. An open-topped table is sometimes hard to heat all over the whole enclosure.

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

Hi

 

[nikitab]

What could I add to keep him warmer?

 

[Alexio]

What could I add to keep him warmer?

What are your temperatures like? Warm side, cool side basking spot? What's the room temperature that you have the tort table in?

 

[nikitab]

I'm not too sure to be honest, I'm unsure as to what kind of thermometer I should have and where best to put if

 

[Yvonne G]

Russian tortoises aren't very fond of water. Because your tortoise is still young, I would soak him in warm water daily for about 15 minutes. Use a small enough bowl (that he can't climb out of) so that you can put it back into the habitat next to, but not right under, the light, to keep it warm.

 

[Yvonne G]

You can add a CHE (ceramic heat emitter) to the other end of the habitat:

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
He looks great but you will need a much larger enclosure very shortly.
Young tortoises (if he is that young) spend a lot of time hiding. They are a prey animal.
Once he settles in and becomes aware that you are not going to eat him but are, in fact, the food god, he should become more outgoing.
Check http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
as well as http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/
and please ask if you have any questions.

 

[nikitab]

Great, thanks a lot!

 

[nikitab]

Thanks that helps a lot, I'm wondering if I put a heat mat under the soil in his hide will it help create a better more humid house or would he get too hot?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Thanks that helps a lot, I'm wondering if I put a heat mat under the soil in his hide will it help create a better more humid house or would he get too hot?

I don't think heating from below i good for the tortoise and it will dry out your substrate too quickly.
Also if he digs down, which Russians will do, there could be a problem.
What's your humidity now ?

 

[nikitab]

Ahh right okay thanks, not too sure but I don't think it's very high, I only got him on Monday

 

[Gillian M]

Hi @nikitab and a very warm welcome to the forum to you and your gorgeous tort.

 

[nikitab]

Thank you! @gillianmoore