Newbie from Washington state

[Paranub]

Russians love to dig, especially at night when they're ready to go to bed and make themselves comfortable. It will probably be enough to drive you insane, just a warning there will be a lot less scratching on the sides if you make the substrate deeper. I use coconut coir up to 8 inches deep in places. And especially deep in the hides. It's good that your enclosure has a top, it will help keep heat and humidity in. If you have a picture with the top and the lights people can give more specific suggestions. You will probably find that you will end up making a lot of changes to the enclosure, which is totally normal. Bigger is always better. They usually recommend an indoor of closure of 4 x 8'. If you can't quite pull that off make it as big as you can, or maybe make it a two-story enclosure with a ramp. There are lots of ways to make good enclosures that don't cost too much. Keep asking questions.

Oh yes.. the 30mins to 1h of the sound of claws digging away every night sometimes, i just want to pick him up, dig a hole, plonk him in and be like "There! a bed!" haha.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Welcome

 

[popeye tortoise]

I am a newbie here as well and I know sometimes it feel like some of the input is insulting but all these keeper on this forum are very educated thru trial and error and mean well. Please let the give you all the help they can. If you are a tortoise keeper it is worth its weight in gold.

 

[moonfirefaery]

Oh I know, I am getting info from all sides. Listening and doing what is keeping her happy. Natasha just had a warm soak, and is running around her portable pen by my feet.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and Natasha.
Lovely little Russian you have there.
This site is the best available for up to date, detailed tortoise care information, based on the many, many years of experience of many keepers.
Have a look at these threads for useful information.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/
Nice to have you here.

 

[moonfirefaery]

Thank you!