tort newbi

[Brett]

Well we have picked up our first tort a little male Russian. We have to do some rearranging with all our critters to make room so i have him in a rubbermade container at this point. Been doing allot of reading with info the contradicts each other. My question is uva uvb no brainer. heat lamp check, Diet i got a list. My main question is size of enclosure. it will be inside with limited room what is the minimum size i can run. Second i read keep the substrate both dry and damp, which is it? One site said dry but keep the hide away damp. Is it good to put a shallow bowl in there or just do soaks. Just want to get things right. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 

[Torty Mom]

Welcome to TFO! You sure do have alot of critters! I am sure you will get some help tomorrow, since it's so late. I have a boxie and CDT's. Congrats on the tortie they are alot of fun!

 

[Brett]

That's what i'm told so i figured i would try one. So far So good i just want to get a good home built for him and do things right of the bat. I temporarily have him in a rubber made tote with 50/50 mix topsoil and sand. Hoping to get a tort table built by this weekend. Along with new bearded and crested gecko enclosures. Ya they need to allow more characters on the signature i could fit everything in with 255 characters lol

 

[ascott]

Congrats of the newbie....they are very cool little guys. They do need both a dry and moist spot, great huh ?

How old is your new tortoise (age/size)?

I would at first do soaks (unless you are certain he was well hydrated by prior keeper) along with keeping a soaking dish in his enclosure that is for his size (to allow enough water to reach his chin) which will allow him to completely walk into and soak.

I would also suggest allowing him some natural sun time each day (at least 30 minutes).

Enclosure size; the bigger the better (also can tailor size of enclosure to relation of the size of your tortoise).

I am sure you will get some other folks who have lots of experience that will get you their suggestions as well.....

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almost forgot......PICS PLEASE

 

[Brett]

Well i know its not a popular choice to buy pets there but we got it at petsmart. Keep in mind i know they don't care for the animals the way they should except for the one here. Why do i say that. Because my wife is a manager there and she doesn't fallow corporate rules and takes care of them the way they should be. Well the herps anyways. So this new adventure is a eye opener for her which will reflect on better care of the torts they get in, which isn't often. I was watching him a cpl days before purchase. full of energy eating well nice clear eyes do discharge clear nasal passages, and felt good and solid and shell was pristine so i was confident he was healthy. hes a about 5 inches long so i'm not sure roughly how old that would make him. natural sunlight is fine for now and i have been taking him outside to hang but we are in ND we only have about 4 months of suitable weather for him to bask outside. I know bigger is better but until we relocate to a new place i need to keep bare minimum but don't want to sacrifice his health and happiness so was wonder how small i can go at this point. As far as substrate do i need to keep that moist or will dry substrate and a water bowl work. With 7 good size fish tank humidity is always 50% plus even running a dehumidifier. Temp in the house is a constant 74

 

[ascott]

very cool and I don't scoff saving the torts from big chain pet stops...if they did not get rescued...well, they would not get rescued

I would say that the absolute smallest indoor enclosure should be a 50 gallon rubbermaid type tub.

As your substrate dries out is is important to add water, don't let it get too dry....you can mist periodically as well....just barely a moist area and not "wet"....

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the water dish should still be in the enclosure so in the event he wants to hydrate/soak he can ....

keep in mind, these are my opinions and I am sure others will give theirs too....

 

[Brett]

Ok well thank you for the info all input is much appreciated. Every one has a opinion nothing wrong with that. I'm big into Saltwater tanks and talk about allot of opinions 10 different tanks and 10 different ways to get the same results.

 

[dmmj]

I have 3 russians myself, and I don't soak mine, mainly because they don't like it. I allow them to drink from their dish whenever they want. It is always kept full. As for minimum size enclosure, I would not really use anything smaller than one of those concrete mixing tubs as a temporary one anyways. I agree russians are awesome, they are fun and have great personalities, and they come running when they see you (mainly because they think you are gonna feed them) but still it is fun to see a herd of little tortoises running towards you.

 

[dmarcus]

Congrats on the new tortoise..

 

[cemmons12]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Lilithlee]

I soak my Russian and leave water in his tank, but that only because it's so hot here right now. I probably would soak so much when winter comes. And I agree with dmmj that have so much personality. I've only had my a week and he already trying to tell me he's the boss.

 

[Brett]

Well thanks for the info im hopeing to get a neclosure built for him this weekend. We have been takeing him outside everyday to streach his legs and get fresh air. He likes to fallow the wife around the yard its funny.