Russian tortoise!

[philipgreece]

Hello all and have a good summer! I write again to have a better opinion! My torts are 4 years old! Danny and wilma! Danny has still flexible belly and in 2 spots on shell! I struggle for 1 year and a half to get it hard but I haven't seen difference! Also Danny always summer slows a little bit down but when I release him in nature he likes to explore and eats! I have them in enclosures not enough space though! The coco coir temperature in cool sides are 26 degrees and his shell in day generally is 32! Is it good? Also I don't know what to do about his shell! I contacted again with my vet and told me for everyday calcium! The daily diet for them is hibiscus,mulberry leaves,cactus,lettuce,ruellia and chicory the flower! I give them 2 times calcium and one day nutrobal and one day calcium with d3! I wonder if it's time to visit my vet but my vet is 7 hours distance!

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

This free and natural

 

[philipgreece]

This free and natural

Do i have to boil them? Do I have to mix them with food?

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

After you fix your eggs let the shells dry overnight then put them in a grinder then just sprinkle the powder over their food like any other Calcium, but you know what's in it

 

[philipgreece]

After you fix your eggs let the shells dry overnight then put them in a grinder then just sprinkle the powder over their food like any other Calcium, but you know what's in it

Thank you

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Are your tortoises outdoors?

 

[philipgreece]

Are your tortoises outdoors?

Yes! In their enclosure can take almost 1 hour sun because it's too hot here in Greece! I give them exercise in nature though 1 hour everyday but I have to watch them all the time not to eat rocks and feces! The enclosures aren't so big!

 

[COmtnLady]

What is your UVB lighting set-up? Calcium is only part of the equation.

 

[philipgreece]

What is your UVB lighting set-up? Calcium is only part of the equation.

I don't use uvb because in Greece i have sun the whole year! In winter I give them almost 4 hours sun! In summer they don't stay in sun! They stay 20 and sometimes 1 hour! I use uvb arcadia pro only the days in winter that I don't have sun!

 

[philipgreece]

I don't use uvb because in Greece i have sun the whole year! In winter I give them almost 4 hours sun! In summer they don't stay in sun! They stay 20 and sometimes 1 hour! I use uvb arcadia pro only the days in winter that I don't have sun! Should I give then more sun in summer?

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

Are your tortoises outdoors?

Yes, year around for 25 years

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Yes, year around for 25 years

Sorry I was unclear, I asked Philip.

 

[philipgreece]

Sorry I was unclear, I asked Philip.

Yes in summer in their enclosure but I give them also 1 hour in nature! In enclosures they take sun about 30 minutes! Do they need more?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Yes in summer in their enclosure but I give them also 1 hour in nature! In enclosures they take sun about 30 minutes! Do they need more?

If possible - yes. From 8AM to 11AM or from 4PM to 6PM.

If you can make a good shaded area (put an umbrella and shady plants) and have a thick layer of soil (so they can completely burrow), maybe you can leave them outside for the whole day. When it's especially hot you can bring them in for a few hours to cool down.

 

[philipgreece]

If possible - yes. From 8AM to 11AM or from 4PM to 6PM.

If you can make a good shaded area (put an umbrella and shady plants) and have a thick layer of soil (so they can completely burrow), maybe you can leave them outside for the whole day. When it's especially hot you can bring them in for a few hours to cool down.

Thank you! I have shades and umbrella also! But I'm curious that they bask only for some minutes m! Is this normal?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you! I have shades and umbrella also! But I'm curious that they bask only for some minutes m! Is this normal?

If it's enough for them to warm up. They try to maintain stable body temperature by walking between shade and sunny spots. Usually they bask longer in the early morning to warm up after night cold.

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

May I ask How do you give him sun in the Winter?

 

[philipgreece]

May I ask How do you give him sun in the Winter?

I have them in nature with me! The problem is that I can't let them alone because they eat poop from cats! I saw my male once! In their enclosure they don't go out in sun for a long time! Only for minutes!