New tortoise

[rebeccamurray]

Hi people I know this isn't a nice subject but should my tortoises poo be hard or soft? And for some reason she only poos when I let her out and about! She doesn't in her vavarium. Is this normal? I have only has her 2 days so I am unsure. Thanks

 

[Tom]

Should be sort of in-between. Not soft like soft serve, but not hard like wood either.

Exercise and locomotion often make them poop. As does warming up in the sun, and soaking will usually do it too.

 

[rebeccamurray]

Thanks tom for the advice I have just had her out for quite a while now and she seemed to love exploring and I gave her a bath and she liked that to. Will she be ok with shredded newspaper or is that a no? Thanks

 

[ub3rsh00]

No, you should definitely have her on substrate. Coco-Coir and top soil are both good choices. I use a mix of the coir and top soil. Top soil costs literally like $1.29 at Home Depot. And the coir costs about $10 from petco. Can you post a picture of your enclosure?

 

[rebeccamurray]

I have substrate for her but a was wondering if she can have a bit of shredded newspaper in the corner aswell just something different for her that's all. Thanks

 

[rebeccamurray]

This is her enclosure

 

[Levi the Leopard]

The ink will come off the newspaper and onto your tortoise.
They do like to nestle in a pile of hay though

 

[rebeccamurray]

Are brill I will get some hay instead then thanks for ur advice

 

[WillTort2]

I previously used timothy hay for my upper level and the Russian did enjoy hiding under the hay. The reason I gave up on the hay was the dry conditions that it provided. The hay if moistened will promote mold. If kept dry it will be dusty.

So, now I just use a combination of plain top soil and coco coir. The coco coir holds moisture without becoming moldy. This combination gives the torts a easy to dig substrate.

My Russians seem to do well on this mixed substrate. I also put in a few pill bugs (sow bugs, rolly pollies) to help with the cleaning. The pill bugs will eat the odd leaf scraps and the tortoise discharge.

Good luck.