How big is your little dude? I'm no expert on Russians, but I recall reading that they need a minimum of 244cm x 122cm once they reach a certain size/age.
He's like 4 years and really small around 10cm in lenghtHello, is this a hatchling we’re talking about? I’d maybe consider going 121cm by 90cm if you can? a 4x2ft should last a baby Russian a couple of years, if you could go a smidge bigger that’d be nice until an adult sized set up
He sounds slightly on the smaller side for his age(don’t suppose you have a pic of him?) but ideally at that age you do need to be looking towards an adult size
tortoiseforum.org
tortoiseforum.org
tortoiseforum.org
Thanks, so is that size okay for him? Or I can maybe make it two storys. Here's a picture of him. I alredy got gim with pyramiding. And he was so pale beforeHe sounds slightly on the smaller side for his age(don’t suppose you have a pic of him?) but ideally at that age you do need to be looking towards an adult size
Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors
Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...
There’s some creative ways to tackle indoor space whilst still providing much needed roaming room in the indoor section here
Enclosure inspiration
Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...
Also feel free to check this one out, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying
Common keeping errors
Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...
Hope this helps!
Aw he’s a little cutie! The planned 3x2ft will be too small unfortunately yes, for a two story I’d still try and go bigger, I’d definitely check out the common keeping error one so you know what substrate to avoid too, I only say because it looks to be top soil with bits of sphagnum moss?
Yes, it's spaghnum moss. I've made a humid hide for him and he loved it so much. He was sleeping in it every day. But over time he spread it all over his enclosure. I haven't seen him eating it and he just don't care about it. The substrate is specially made for tortoises and I haven't see any issues with that tooAw he’s a little cutie! The planned 3x2ft will be too small unfortunately yes, for a two story I’d still try and go bigger, I’d definitely check out the common keeping error one so you know what substrate to avoid too, I only say because it looks to be top soil with bits of sphagnum moss?
He definitely doesn’t look pale anymore, hats off to you!
I would consider switching to damp coco coir, or orchid bark, or even a combination of the two.Yes, it's spaghnum moss. I've made a humid hide for him and he loved it so much. He was sleeping in it every day. But over time he spread it all over his enclosure. I haven't seen him eating it and he just don't care about it. The substrate is specially made for tortoises and I haven't see any issues with that too
This is where packaging can get a little confusing, sometimes ‘coco fiber’ is in fact the coir, but sometimes it’s made up of long fibrous bits, check product photos if you can or feel free to post some listings you find on here for folks to check over
Which one is this?
That looks to be coir, the right stuff, make sure it says 100% coir in the fine print with no added fertiliser or anything
Im not in the uk or usa so I don't know if it says coir. And if I drop word coir into the translator, it translates to fiber, so Im abosultley lost in thisThat looks to be coir, the right stuff, make sure it says 100% coir in the fine print with no added fertiliser or anything
but it says 100% atleast
lol if it says 100% that’s the stuff no worries!Im not in the uk or usa so I don't know if it says coir. And if I drop word coir into the translator, it translates to fiber, so Im abosultley lost in this
Also, does this look good as a top layer?lol if it says 100% that’s the stuff no worries!
This to me looks like coco husk as opposed to orchid bark, the husk has those fibrous pieces you ideally want to avoid. Have you tried looking up ‘reptile orchid bark’?
What about this one:
Yep that’s perfect!
