Russian tortoise help

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

Hi

 

[GingerLove]

I wouldn't use the "bar" lamp just because your tortoise can use it to escape. I'm actually a tad concerned about how short your walls are. My tortoise (shortly after I purchased her) learned to climb.... like crazy!! But besides that, the enclosure is really cool. You only need one hot side anyway, so you don't really need the bar lamp at all, in my opinion.

 

[johnandjade]

don't forgot the cold dark room

 

[Jordy Smith]

I wouldn't use the "bar" lamp just because your tortoise can use it to escape. I'm actually a tad concerned about how short your walls are. My tortoise (shortly after I purchased her) learned to climb.... like crazy!! But besides that, the enclosure is really cool. You only need one hot side anyway, so you don't really need the bar lamp at all, in my opinion.

Bar lamp is gone ! Went and bought a dome and a new uvb bulb the walls seem escapable by the angle of the pic but I'm sure he won't get out . My only concern is he's not very active since I adopted him from petco which was my first mistake buying from there but I just felt so bad for the little guy ! Any tips on rehabilitating him back to being active ?

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

There is not a lot of incentive for activity in small enclosures like that. If he can see all of his territory at once, why does he need to explore? If you want him to be active, providing a much larger, interesting, habitat, with sight barriers is the way to go.

He also needs to be kept at the correct temperature. How warm is your basking spot at tortoise level? How cold is your overnight low? A tortoise that isn't getting warm enough to digest also won't be active.

 

[Jordy Smith]

There is not a lot of incentive for activity in small enclosures like that. If he can see all of his territory at once, why does he need to explore? If you want him to be active, providing a much larger, interesting, habitat, with sight barriers is the way to go.

He also needs to be kept at the correct temperature. How warm is your basking spot at tortoise level? How cold is your overnight low? A tortoise that isn't getting warm enough to digest also won't be active.

He's more active since I've changed the bulbs previous owner must have had the lights forever

 

[Jordy Smith]

Would this grass be safe to plant and grow for my Russian tortious enclosure? I'd rather ask before doing many sort of feeding/planting

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Jordy, and welcome to the Forum!

Sarah hit the nail right on the head with her response to you. The tortoise wakes up in the a.m. and he can see his whole world. What reason does he have to go out and about?

Russian tortoises need a lot of space. If you can't set him up outside in a safe and secure outdoor yard, then you need the biggest indoor enclosure you can find or build. Go to a few garage sales and try to find a used 4 or 5 shelf book case for cheap. Take the shelves out, lay it on its back (you may need to reinforce the back), line it then decorate to your heart's content. Put things in there so he can't see from one end to the other (sight barriers).

The little enclosure you've made looks very nice, but it's just too darned small for a Russian tortoise.

Russian tortoises are browsers, meaning, they eat weeds and broad-leaf plants, not grass. He might nibble a bit on the new blades, but he'll really go after broad leaf weeds and plants.

I'm thinking you might have replaced the bar lamp with a curly shaped compact fluorescent bulb. These really aren't all that good. Your best bet for UVB is the sun. Next best is either a Mercury Vapor Bulb or a regular fluorescent tube:

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Jordy, and a very warm, if a little belated welcome to Tortoise Forum.
Have you read http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/ ?
And http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/ ?
Excellent info here.

 

[Laura1412]

@wellington