new russian tortoise

[kikimalu]

Hi everyone, I just got this guy from tortoise supply this morning, arrived safe and sound. He is an adult russian tortoise and below is the cage. The substrate is coco coir, about 3 inches deep. I will leave him there for a while to let him get used to it, then later he will be in my front yard ( of course i will be at home to supervise). The cage is outside, and the weather in southern CA at night is cool, about 63-65, but he has the ceramic heater, so i think he will be ok. I also cover the top of the cage with plastic so it will keep inside warm. In addition, he will get most sunlight at about 11-12 pm. I need your advice about the cage. Thank you very much

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

1. hey welcome to the forum! post some pics of your new tort and his enclosure. if you take a pic of your torts tail from underneath i can tell you the gender

 

[kikimalu]

I am sorry, I wrote this thread by phone so i can not upload the pics. Here they are
Thanks but it's a male for sure because I bought it from tortoise supply website

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

good enclosure! maybe just increase the size of the enclosure.
here is a russian tort care sheet, its probably the most up to date russian care sheet out there. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

 

[kikimalu]

Thanks for sending the information, I just leave him there for a while to get used to it, later i will let him roam my front yard in the morning and back to cage in the afternoon.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

He looks kind of dry The coir is a bit dry too. Try pouring a cup of water in and swilling it around, it'll raise the humidity too. He looks to be outdoors, so you could easily grows seeds or plant out there for him to eat.hide under TortoiseSupply also has great seeds, my russian love the italian dandelion!

 

[Jabuticaba]

Congrats! Did you give him a good soak?


May
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[johnsonnboswell]

RTs are very territorial. You would do better to make him a large escape- proof area with a night box. Supervising them to prevent escape gets old fast, and doesn't allow them enough outdoor time.

Your substrate depth doesn't allow him to burrow to escape problem temperatures. The tub has the potential to fill up in a rain storm and drown him unless you have serious drainage.

If you're not planning to hibernate him, which is not recommended for new animals the first year or unprepared owners, you need to be prepared. You might want to have him indoors at night & in bad weather.

60-65 at night doesn't require heat. Daytime temps are critical, though. And winter is coming.

 

[junebugsmom]

Looks good but I'd be concerned about the wire you're using for the sides. Russians are escape artists and he'll probably try to climb up it at some point. I'd probably replace it with wood or some material he can't climb. Even if you have a cover over the top to prevent him getting out he may fall and get hurt.

 

[kikimalu]

Thanks for your advice guys. Yes, the substrate is dry but I read a post 2 days ago and it said that russian tortoise need dry substrate. So, should i wet the substrate? In addition, i will soak him twice a week. It doesn't rain much here in southern CA but winter comes so there will be one day raining, but I will cover the cage with plastic so the water can't come in. I really don't want him to hibernate so what can i do ?? About the wire of the cage, it is not a problem.
P/S: sorry for my bad english

 

[leigti]

They don't need soggy substrate but it definitely has to have a little moisture in it.to keep them from hibernating you have to keep them warm and have the lights on them for at least 12 hours a day.

 

[kikimalu]

thank you, do you think he will hibernate in southern CA at this time ? it's not so cold here

 

[kikimalu]

btw, when i had him, and put him in the cage, i noticed there was a pink park released from his tail, looked like the anal (i guess),it was big and then dissapeared. Anyone knows what that is ??

 

[KevinGG]

btw, when i had him, and put him in the cage, i noticed there was a pink park released from his tail, looked like the anal (i guess),it was big and then dissapeared. Anyone knows what that is ??

That would be Thor's hammer

 

[Tyanna]

He should not need heat at night AS LONG AS the temps don't go below 60. He does need more substrate to burrow.

 

[kikimalu]

What is thor'hammer ??

 

[leigti]

What is thor'hammer ??

Confirmation that you have a Male tortoise

 

[kikimalu]

Really ? When i saw it i was scared, didn't know what was wrong with my tortoise' s anal but he is doing fine now, thanks

 

[leigti]

Really ? When i saw it i was scared, didn't know what was wrong with my tortoise' s anal but he is doing fine now, thanks

I have a female tortoise myself. But from threads I have read they call it flashing, females can do it but it's usually just the males.I can't imagine it would be very scary

 

[kikimalu]

That thing went out and then went in his tail, it is similar to your torotose ? Btw, i am feeding him springmix Dole, is it good ? It contains baby lectuce, babe green, endive and radicchio.