Tonetone28
New Member
I’ve adopted a male Russian, with an 18 x 36 glass enclosure. (Two weeks ago). Initially he had nothing but a few wood shavings that he kept pushed in the far right corner. Now he has a big pile of chopped Timothy hay and wood shavings in that corner and he loves to bury himself in that pile. He has a basking corner and a feeding corner on the opposite side of the enclosure. There is an appropriately sized water container that he is able to soak in, but mostly just walks through. UVB tube light on 12 hours a day. I’m pretty close to getting his day temps correct. (Needs to be a bit warmer) Night temps 85F in his sleeping corner. He is eating heartily twice a day, poops and pees regularly too. I think he’s fairly content.
Here’s where I get a bit unconventional. On top of an inch of cedar bark shavings, I have lined the entire enclosure with small square sandstone tiles. (Don’t freak out on me.) I can remove any soiled tiles, clean and replace them. The tiles should keep his beak and nails in check. The tiles also help regulate temperatures as well. All his digging/burying happens over in his hay pile. The pile is big enough for him to really move the hay/shavings around and really get under.
So here’s my question. What are your thoughts on this flooring. ( please don’t be unkind) Does he really need access to a loose substrate across his entire enclosure? Remember he will only sleep in his chopped hay corner, and buries himself there any time he wants to sleep. Can you think of any negative outcomes from the stone tiles? I’m working hard to establish a good home for him. Larger table will likely be constructed in the spring.
Here’s where I get a bit unconventional. On top of an inch of cedar bark shavings, I have lined the entire enclosure with small square sandstone tiles. (Don’t freak out on me.) I can remove any soiled tiles, clean and replace them. The tiles should keep his beak and nails in check. The tiles also help regulate temperatures as well. All his digging/burying happens over in his hay pile. The pile is big enough for him to really move the hay/shavings around and really get under.
So here’s my question. What are your thoughts on this flooring. ( please don’t be unkind) Does he really need access to a loose substrate across his entire enclosure? Remember he will only sleep in his chopped hay corner, and buries himself there any time he wants to sleep. Can you think of any negative outcomes from the stone tiles? I’m working hard to establish a good home for him. Larger table will likely be constructed in the spring.