Looks great David. Another success story!
Setting up for a Russian Tortoise - Constructive comments welcome
- Thread starter David Steere
- Start date
David Steere
Well-Known Member
Sandy Eating. Sandra sees dandelion flowers being put in his dish stand back! Its like candy for him.
Is there any problem feeding him the flowers every day? He sure enjoys them!
Is there any problem feeding him the flowers every day? He sure enjoys them!
David Steere
Well-Known Member
@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot
How is everyone doing? Sandy and I are doing great! I have been meaning to ask everyone a couple of questions.
1. I had three large Sedge plants in enclosure put they all died. I think it is because I do not have a correct light. Been meaning to put more plants which Sandy could eat but until now I been busy with life. I plan on using 2 of the lights linked and add a pot of each plant. Using new cuttings and propagating. No pesticides used for anything in the yard. Currently I have 9 - 100 watt LED's. Any concerns?
BOOST LIGHTING 22.0-in 1 -Light Black 16 -Watt Full spectrum LED Grow light kit
a. Spiraea
b. Sedge
c. Hosta
d. Forsythia
e. Spider Plant
f. Christmas Cactus
g. Grape Vine
2. I had a couple of smooth rocks in the enclosure which Sandy used to mount. I noticed a small area around 1/4" on his plastron where it has worn down where you can feel a depth difference. Area is hard, dry and I believe is starting to heal up. Feel terrible about not noticing. I took the rocks out and now he is using the end of a 4" log piece in enclosure. Figured wood is less hard on his plastron than rocks. Any concerns?
3. Couple of pictures of nails and beak.
Take care everyone and thanks in advance!
How is everyone doing? Sandy and I are doing great! I have been meaning to ask everyone a couple of questions.
1. I had three large Sedge plants in enclosure put they all died. I think it is because I do not have a correct light. Been meaning to put more plants which Sandy could eat but until now I been busy with life. I plan on using 2 of the lights linked and add a pot of each plant. Using new cuttings and propagating. No pesticides used for anything in the yard. Currently I have 9 - 100 watt LED's. Any concerns?
BOOST LIGHTING 22.0-in 1 -Light Black 16 -Watt Full spectrum LED Grow light kit
a. Spiraea
b. Sedge
c. Hosta
d. Forsythia
e. Spider Plant
f. Christmas Cactus
g. Grape Vine
2. I had a couple of smooth rocks in the enclosure which Sandy used to mount. I noticed a small area around 1/4" on his plastron where it has worn down where you can feel a depth difference. Area is hard, dry and I believe is starting to heal up. Feel terrible about not noticing. I took the rocks out and now he is using the end of a 4" log piece in enclosure. Figured wood is less hard on his plastron than rocks. Any concerns?
3. Couple of pictures of nails and beak.
Take care everyone and thanks in advance!
Hi David!
1. Indoor plants and lighting are not my strongest area of expertise. I use indoor enclosures as a means to grow the tortoises up and get them moved outside. What you are proposing seems okay to me.
2. It's pretty normal for Russians to have chips and dings. Other than keeping an eye on it to make sure it does't get infected, not much you can do about it.
3. Nails look good. Beak looks good but the picture gets fuzzy when I try to zoom in. Sink that terra cotta saucer down into the substrate. Its more of a tipping hazard when sitting on the surface like that.
David Steere
Well-Known Member
@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot
Okay will see if I am a green thumb. Got my LED grow lights up and running. Will see over the next few months if I can make Sandy's enclosure a little more green.
LED grow lights will turn on and off with Basking and 8 - 100 watts lights.
Got a little brighter also which is a plus.
Meanwhile until the plants offer shade there is three places Sandy can go to.
Okay will see if I am a green thumb. Got my LED grow lights up and running. Will see over the next few months if I can make Sandy's enclosure a little more green.
LED grow lights will turn on and off with Basking and 8 - 100 watts lights.
Got a little brighter also which is a plus.
Meanwhile until the plants offer shade there is three places Sandy can go to.
Hello! I would lower the grow lights (a lot of light is dispersed and also shadowed by lamp domes). Rotating fixture to run along the long wall can also improve coverage.
You can also optimize LED bulbs cluster - I guess more than half of the bulbs output is wasted (directed upwards and absorbed by black film).
David Steere
Well-Known Member
@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot
Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.
June 2026
Monthly Checking: Sandy gained 48 grams and grew 0 inch this month!
Age: 33 months old
Weight: 606 grams
Length: 6 inches +/-
Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.
June 2026
Monthly Checking: Sandy gained 48 grams and grew 0 inch this month!
Age: 33 months old
Weight: 606 grams
Length: 6 inches +/-
Sandy is looking great! That is a handsome tortoise my friend.
David Steere
Well-Known Member
@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT @Daffodil @Myrna the RES @er9m @zolasmum @Sarah2020
Off topic.
My grandson wants to get a snake as a pet. I know nothing about snakes. But will help him setup a correct enclosure.
Anyone have any information or advice on a good breeder to buy the snake, setup requirements, forums, good beginner snake? This will be his first snake.
He is thinking of "house snake" or a "desert rosy boa"
Off topic.
My grandson wants to get a snake as a pet. I know nothing about snakes. But will help him setup a correct enclosure.
Anyone have any information or advice on a good breeder to buy the snake, setup requirements, forums, good beginner snake? This will be his first snake.
He is thinking of "house snake" or a "desert rosy boa"
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I have kept and bred numerous species of snakes. My personal recommendation for a beginner in the snake hobby would be a Corn Snake (also called a Red Rat Snake). They are very pretty, easy to tame, easy to feed, etc. Rosy Boas are also nice, but require a bit more attention/care. IE, they need more heat, and if you get a baby are sometimes hard to get started feeding.
I have no personal experience with House Snakes, but believe they are not difficult to keep.
Be prepared to feed rodents to the snake. Many can be trained to eat thawed frozen rodents which makes it much easier than having to feed live mice/rats, etc.
+1 for corn snake. Not that hard to keep, good personalities, often seen in the middle of the day. However, true escape artists because of their slender constitution.
A good starter on care information can be reptifiles.com
While they need less space than tortoises, an adult 3-5' snake will need a 4x2x2 enclosure (a larger one won't harm). You can start with a large one for a smaller snake but section a part of it (to ease feeding, handling and check-ups). Corn snakes are not considered neither burrowers nor climbers, yet mine enjoys making burrows in 8" substrate layer or exploring top level of the enclosure. Same goes for basking lamps and UVB - if provided, corn snake will use basking area and will rest under UVB tube.
As for feeding, I would definitely avoid live prey (a lot of snake were injured when fed live rodents). As a "family-safe" alternative you can check Arcadia RX line ("sausages for snakes"
) or similar products.A "snake tax" photo of my corn snake, Coral, and general enclosure layout (4x2x2.5). Basking area is on the right, UVB (Arcadia ShadeDweller) spans near back wall over the log. The log on the left is hollow and is connected to a complicated network of underground tunnels (her own design and execution). Fern and grass clump are live. Substrate is mostly coco coir.
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I agree. Corn snakes are hard to beat. Hardy, friendly, pretty, not too small, not too large, forgiving of beginner mistakes, tolerates a wide range of temperature and climates.
House snake, children's pythons, rosey boas, king snakes, milk snakes, hognose, Kenyan sand boas, and ball pythons are all other reasonably easy and mild mannered snakes.
Ask the grandson there is a particular one that he is already liking and we can give more specific advice. I just picked up two baby Russian rat snakes. They get a little larger, but are generally docile and easy to handle. Also very hardy and very pretty.
David Steere
Well-Known Member
I don't have much experience with that species, but from what I have heard they are a great starter species. Wish him good luck, and keep us posted. Once he gets started, make a thread in the "Other Pet Talk" "Snakes" section and post pics for us.
David Steere
Well-Known Member
@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT @Daffodil @Myrna the RES @er9m @zolasmum @Sarah2020
Any concerns?
I noticed that some areas of lower jaw is flaking off. Not bleeding or raw. Skin is just flaking off. I think it is okay but just wanted a second opinion. I am not pulling skin. Figure my 30 minute soak each morning will take care of the flaked skin.
Any idea why it is flaking? Something I am doing wrong?
Any concerns?
I noticed that some areas of lower jaw is flaking off. Not bleeding or raw. Skin is just flaking off. I think it is okay but just wanted a second opinion. I am not pulling skin. Figure my 30 minute soak each morning will take care of the flaked skin.
Any idea why it is flaking? Something I am doing wrong?
Maybe it's just shedding. Did you change anything about diet or supplements (amount or type)?
David Steere
Well-Known Member
No. Everything has been the same.
One thing I just thought of he does try to climb the wall in a certain area of the enclosure and than slides down. I always afraid he is going to hurt his head. Maybe the underside of his head is exposed to that?
It is not red or bleeding. Seems like wear and tear.
Can be wear and tear then, yes. Let's observe it further.
Many years ago I was an Animal Control Officer and got called for an orange snake under a neighbors porch. Expected it to be an extension cord, but found the sweeetest albino corn snake I ever met. They curled around my wrist and a drove them to the VET. It was almost a fist fight to see who got to resue this one!. Good luck- I went with tarantulas.
