Setting up for a Russian Tortoise - Constructive comments welcome

[David Steere]

@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

Noticed something the past few weeks while soaking Sandy.

- Urates have a streakiest pink hues and is not tooth paste texture more like stringy webs.
- Sandy ALWAYS flashes during soaks. Urates usually comes out while Sandy is doing that.
- Noticed after he does small amounts of Coconut Coir is discharged into water sometimes.

Everything else is normal.

- 75-80 degrees in enclosure.
- 95-100 under heat lamp.
- Sandy is very active during day.
- Sandy is eating normal.
- Sandy is pooping normal.
- Still mounts rocks and logs used as line of site.
- Walks around parameter of enclosure sometimes trying to climb the wall as well.

Thoughts?

 

[zovick]

@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

Noticed something the past few weeks while soaking Sandy.

- Urates have a streakiest pink hues and is not tooth paste texture more like stringy webs.
- Sandy ALWAYS flashes during soaks. Urates usually comes out while Sandy is doing that.
- Noticed after he does small amounts of Coconut Coir is discharged into water sometimes.

Everything else is normal.

- 75-80 degrees in enclosure.
- 95-100 under heat lamp.
- Sandy is very active during day.
- Sandy is eating normal.
- Sandy is pooping normal.
- Still mounts rocks and logs used as line of site.
- Walks around parameter of enclosure sometimes trying to climb the wall as well.

Thoughts?

It doesn't sound as though there is any cause for concern.

 

[Anastasia 22]

Some of the greens can do it....

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

- Noticed after he does small amounts of Coconut Coir is discharged into water sometimes.

This happens with my tortoise too, don't think there is a cause for concern.

 

[David Steere]

@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

Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

June 1, 2025

Monthly Checking: Sandy gained 16 grams and grew 0 inches this month.

Age: 21 months old
Weight: 483.0 grams
Length: 5 1/2" +/-

 

[_The_Beast_]

Sandy looks exceptional

 

[Tom]

Looking good @David Steere

 

[Yvonne G]

What a cute little tortoise!

 

[David Steere]

@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

Something I have noticed is I seem to have a lot of pill bugs in my 4'x6' enclosure. Large, medium and small. In the hundreds I think. At night when enclosure lights are off and it is dark I check on Sandy for the night and notice them in his food dish.

I clean the food dish, getting rid of the old food but they are in there at night. Lately I have been leaving some food in there so they have something to eat but I am just curious if anyone has concerns.

They have not bothered Sandy from what I can tell. Ever once in a while one falls out when I am soaking him but mostly it is when I give him wet food, Mazuri Original 5M21 Tortoise Food and Zoo Med Natural Grassland Tortoise Food, which I assume gets stuck on Sandy while he eats. Very messy.

Thoughts?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello!
Pill bugs are not harmful. But I am surprised by the numbers - as you don't feed them on purpose then they get enough food to sustain a colony somewhere else.

Their primary food source is decaying plant matter (leaf litter, rotting wood) with anything else (live plants, animal poops etc.) as a bonus nutrition. I would check if there is a leak somewhere and plywood or wooden frame started to rot, but maybe they just eat orchid bark.

Their numbers should eventually stabilise depending on food availability. Just check from time to time that pill bugs don't snack on live plants.

 

[Tom]

@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

Something I have noticed is I seem to have a lot of pill bugs in my 4'x6' enclosure. Large, medium and small. In the hundreds I think. At night when enclosure lights are off and it is dark I check on Sandy for the night and notice them in his food dish.

I clean the food dish, getting rid of the old food but they are in there at night. Lately I have been leaving some food in there so they have something to eat but I am just curious if anyone has concerns.

They have not bothered Sandy from what I can tell. Ever once in a while one falls out when I am soaking him but mostly it is when I give him wet food, Mazuri Original 5M21 Tortoise Food and Zoo Med Natural Grassland Tortoise Food, which I assume gets stuck on Sandy while he eats. Very messy.

Thoughts?

Did you introduce these pill bugs? Or did they show up on their own?

 

[David Steere]

Did you introduce these pill bugs? Or did they show up on their own?

They showed up on their own.

I had some small grasses from out side I dug up. I washed the roots and put them in pots and put in enclosure. My guess some where in there maybe. I have even seen earth worms.

 

[David Steere]

Hello!
Pill bugs are not harmful. But I am surprised by the numbers - as you don't feed them on purpose then they get enough food to sustain a colony somewhere else.

Their primary food source is decaying plant matter (leaf litter, rotting wood) with anything else (live plants, animal poops etc.) as a bonus nutrition. I would check if there is a leak somewhere and plywood or wooden frame started to rot, but maybe they just eat orchid bark.

Their numbers should eventually stabilise depending on food availability. Just check from time to time that pill bugs don't snack on live plants.

Enclosure is pretty tight it 1/2" vinyl veneered, all corners have been sealed. Pretty sure they got in by some outside grass I dug up and put in enclosure.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Enclosure is pretty tight it 1/2" vinyl veneered, all corners have been sealed. Pretty sure they got in by some outside grass I dug up and put in enclosure.

That's certainly a possibility. However, a thriving pill bugs colony needs a food source. These tiny guys eat a lot That's why I suspect they have something else to snack besides Mazuri left-overs.

 

[David Steere]

@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

Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

July 2025

Monthly Checking: Sandy gained 4 grams and grew 1/8 inch this month!

Age: 22 months old
Weight: 487 grams
Length: 5 5/8 inches +/-




Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

 

[_The_Beast_]

Sandy looks awesome! His shell is gorgeous. Thanks for the update

 

[David Steere]

@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

Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

 

[Anastasia 22]

Sandy looks great!! He is a happy tortoise!!!!!

 

[Tom]

@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

Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

My only concern is you David. Are you enjoying the company of your four legged shelled friend? Are you having a positive tortoise keeping experience? How is life treating you? I hope all is well and you have a happy Independence Day today!

 

[zolasmum]

@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

Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

Sandy looks brilliant - moving about in a strong and determined way - a happy confident tortoise - with a devoted carer, of course ! All best wishes to you both from Angie