Ok, so I'm sure there are tons of ways to do this and I could spend hours on the forum looking, but maybe I could just come to all of you with your wisdom and you can point me in the most appropriate directions... So we are the new owners of a Russian Tort, 3.5 inches across the bottom and 4.5 inches from front to back (bottom shell only). We live in a rental house and don't plan on doing a permanent outside enclosure (although he/she will spend plenty of time supervised in the yard), we have tons of wild rabbits, deer, foxes...you name it, we've got it. Our yard is unfenced. And we are currently in the Hampton Roads area of VA. We have decided to go with the 50 gallon rubbermaid set up for "inside." I'm not sure if it should be inside the air conditioned house or the screened porch or if it should be moved based on seasons?
I have been finding conflicting info on substrate or what covers the bottom, I guess. We've got play sand and known we need to add to this. I've seen soil mixtures, straw, peat, and on and on...
I have see that they don't need water and that they do need water... Lots of conflicting info on RT's in general. Do I need to monitor humidity levels or just temp (seen 60-70 degrees for one side or the enclosure and 95-100 degrees for the other end, accurate?)? I've seen talk of dunking them, showering them with the hose, leaving a water dish big enough to fit the tort in the enclosure...any or all correct?
How much and how often should I expect a healthy RT to eat? What are warning signs that something is wrong (I've seen bubbly noses, yellow discharge, lethargic, white in the fecal matter...are these good things to be concerned over and what else?)? (FYI, not seeing any of the named signs)
I've seen talk about the shell development, what would be deemed healthy or worrisome? Considering I got our new addition from Petsmart that said he/she is only a month old (yes I knew this statement was ridiculous), I'm guessing this is a WC RT?
There was one more RT at the store and I'm so tempted to go "rescue" that one as well, but I'm so new at this...I don't want to overwhelm our new member or ourselves...or do they do better with companionship? I was told at the pet store that a great go to food was kale, and then read a post where someone said kale should be limited to a couple of times a month. I am so confused!!!!
Please please please help a new and eager RT owner!!
Jen
I have been finding conflicting info on substrate or what covers the bottom, I guess. We've got play sand and known we need to add to this. I've seen soil mixtures, straw, peat, and on and on...
I have see that they don't need water and that they do need water... Lots of conflicting info on RT's in general. Do I need to monitor humidity levels or just temp (seen 60-70 degrees for one side or the enclosure and 95-100 degrees for the other end, accurate?)? I've seen talk of dunking them, showering them with the hose, leaving a water dish big enough to fit the tort in the enclosure...any or all correct?
How much and how often should I expect a healthy RT to eat? What are warning signs that something is wrong (I've seen bubbly noses, yellow discharge, lethargic, white in the fecal matter...are these good things to be concerned over and what else?)? (FYI, not seeing any of the named signs)
I've seen talk about the shell development, what would be deemed healthy or worrisome? Considering I got our new addition from Petsmart that said he/she is only a month old (yes I knew this statement was ridiculous), I'm guessing this is a WC RT?
There was one more RT at the store and I'm so tempted to go "rescue" that one as well, but I'm so new at this...I don't want to overwhelm our new member or ourselves...or do they do better with companionship? I was told at the pet store that a great go to food was kale, and then read a post where someone said kale should be limited to a couple of times a month. I am so confused!!!!
Please please please help a new and eager RT owner!!
Jen
