Plant Buying Help!

[tortoisekyle]

Hello! I recently just got a Russian tortoise! She is a girl and the place where I got it from says she is probably around 5 years old. I got her in a indoor terrarium and now I want to get her a outdoor area. I have looked on tortoisesupply.com and I see they have “seed mixes” for your tortoise. I want to plant some plants in my outdoor area. Any recommendations for what kind of seed mix I should get for my Russian tortoise? Thanks.

 

[TechnoCheese]

Their broad leaf testudo mix is great!
Please keep in mind that when weather is bad and you have to House her indoors (which will likely be all winter), you need a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet.
Where did you get her from?
Please give these links a read, and come back with questions
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/
Beginner Mistakes
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

 

[tortoisekyle]

Their broad leaf testudo mix is great!
Please keep in mind that when weather is bad and you have to House her indoors (which will likely be all winter), you need a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet.
Where did you get her from?
Please give these links a read, and come back with questions
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/
Beginner Mistakes
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Thanks so much! I have another question because you seem very knowledgeable. What kind of “common” mulch would you recommend me putting in her outdoor area? I have seen a lot of things but not a lot about Russian tortoises thanks!

 

[TechnoCheese]

Thanks so much! I have another question because you seem very knowledgeable. What kind of “common” mulch would you recommend me putting in her outdoor area? I have seen a lot of things but not a lot about Russian tortoises thanks!

I would recommend just using the soil that’s already there, if there is any. Cypress mulch and eucalyptus mulch are the only ones I can think of that can be used for tortoises, but I think it would be easier to plant things in a more earthy substrate

 

[tortoisekyle]

Their broad leaf testudo mix is great!
Please keep in mind that when weather is bad and you have to House her indoors (which will likely be all winter), you need a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet.
Where did you get her from?
Please give these links a read, and come back with questions
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/
Beginner Mistakes
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Another question I have is, Could I ( during the winter) keep her outdoors and create a cover with lots of heat lamps reaching to 90 degrees at most?

 

[TechnoCheese]

Another question I have is, Could I ( during the winter) keep her outdoors and create a cover with lots of heat lamps reaching to 90 degrees at most?

I’ve never kept Russians outdoors, so I would wait for another opinion. However, I do think that you would have to build a heated night box or shed.

 

[tortoisekyle]

I would recommend just using the soil that’s already there, if there is any. Cypress mulch and eucalyptus mulch are the only ones I can think of that can be used for tortoises, but I think it would be easier to plant things in a more earthy substrate

Great! Thanks!

 

[TechnoCheese]

Great! Thanks!

No problem! And please make sure you read the links

 

[tortoisekyle]

I’ve never kept Russians outdoors, so I would wait for another opinion. However, I do think that you would have to build a heated night box or shed.

Ya. If I do that I would make sure it is very warm in their!

 

[tortoisekyle]

Their broad leaf testudo mix is great!
Please keep in mind that when weather is bad and you have to House her indoors (which will likely be all winter), you need a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet.
Where did you get her from?
Please give these links a read, and come back with questions
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/
Beginner Mistakes
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Forgot to say... I got her from “Scales and Tails” they have multiple locations. They specialize in reptiles and they get their tortoises from breeders in Florida. They seemed very knowledgeable about tortoises and they say things like what I have heard from different experts on here! Lmk what you think

 

[TechnoCheese]

Forgot to say... I got her from “Scales and Tails” they have multiple locations. They specialize in reptiles and they get their tortoises from breeders in Florida. They seemed very knowledgeable about tortoises and they say things like what I have heard from different experts on here! Lmk what you think

Sounds pretty good! Reason I ask, is that most petstores get wild caught tortoises, and I don’t think they are an exception. Your tortoise might be a lot older than 5, if it is wild caught.

 

[tortoisekyle]

Sounds pretty good! Reason I ask, is that most petstores get wild caught tortoises, and I don’t think they are an exception. Your tortoise might be a lot older than 5, if it is wild caught.

I am pretty sure they kind of breed them and not catch them. I asked them a lot about it and it is like a natural breeding area ( outdoors )

 

[RosemaryDW]

Welcome!

I’d be extremely surprised if you could house a Russian outside in winter, anywhere. Once the days shorten they are going to want to hibernate.

I hate to sound rude but I’ve checked the website for Scales and Tails and much of the information they post for Russians is incorrect and unsafe, starting with whatever they sold you for housing. If you want to keep a Russian (they’re great!), you are going to need to return that terrarium and get her something far larger. Sorry.

Please stick around, read the care sheets and come back with questions. And just so you know, most of the folks on here started off with out-of-date information too!

 

[tortoisekyle]

Welcome!

I’d be extremely surprised if you could house a Russian outside in winter, anywhere. Once the days shorten they are going to want to hibernate.

I hate to sound rude but I’ve checked the website for Scales and Tails and much of the information they post for Russians is incorrect and unsafe, starting with whatever they sold you for housing. If you want to keep a Russian (they’re great!), you are going to need to return that terrarium and get her something far larger. Sorry.

Please stick around, read the care sheets and come back with questions. And just so you know, most of the folks on here started off with out-of-date information too!

Ha your not rude. I actually didn’t get any terrarium from them, I actually made my own which is 4 feet by 7 feet! The people their at least told me correct info. Thanks a lot!

 

[RosemaryDW]

Whew, thank goodness. Can we see some pictures?

 

[tortoisekyle]

Whew, thank goodness. Can we see some pictures?

This is funny but I am actually on vacation and my neighbors are taking care of her so I don’t have any right now. Sorry

 

[tortoisekyle]

Whew, thank goodness. Can we see some pictures?

But I will tell you I have many hiding places and shallow water bowl and repti bark substrate

 

[TechnoCheese]

Wow, you’re terrarium is actually big enough! That’s a first, lmao. It sounds like your tortoise is getting very good care, and that he should be able to stay in the terrarium during the winter.

 

[tortoisekyle]

Wow, you’re terrarium is actually big enough! That’s a first, lmao. It sounds like your tortoise is getting very good care, and that he should be able to stay in the terrarium during the winter.

Thanks! That’s great to hear [emoji5]