Tortoise ID.

[Terrie]

My kids were given a tortoise. Can someone please tell me what kind and its needs?

 

[Cheryl Hills]

This looks to be a Russian tortoise to me that is. We have a care sheet for them in the Russian tortoise section which is in the Mediterranean forum. It will tell you what you need to do for care, enclosures and feeding.

 

[CathyNed]

Hi @Terrie. Welcome.Thats a Russian Horsfied Tortoise you have there. I have one too.

It needs a large enclosure- the larger you can provide the better. It needs lots of soil/coco coir/orchid bark in it as a substrate. Your species of tort likes to dig.The substrate needs to be kept slightly damp. Avoid substrates like sand or hay.

He needs a basking lamp to provide warm temps for him to bask under.
He also needs uvb light on order to maintain healthy shell etc. Uvb coiled lights are sometimes sold in pet stores but these can be harmful to torts eyes. Uv lights are also available as a strip light/tube and these are better. These bulbs need to be replaced every 6 mths to be effective.

If you do not want two bulbs then you could go for an MVB (mercury vapor bulb) which provides both basking heat and uvb in one bulb instead.i think you need a ceramic bulb fixture for these lights rather than a regular plastic one due to heating.
These lights basking and uvb should be on for 10-12 hours a day for indoor enclosre.

He may need a CHE (Ceramic Heat Emmitter) bulb if your hose gets cold at night. This is a bulb that provides heat but no light as your tort needs darkness to sleep. No infared bulbs should be used.

Your tort needs access to water at all times.many people use a terracotta plant saucer pushed down level with the soil/orchid bark/coir.

He also needs a food dish. Many people use a flat piece of slate/tile to feed their torts.

There is a caresheet available here that some of the experienced members put together. Reading it will give you lots of helpful advice.
Maybe @Yvonne G @JoesMum @Tom could post/link the care sheet here as I cant. Hope this helps.

 

[JoesMum]

Hi Terrie

This is a flying visit as life off the forum has me snowed under at the moment

Please read the following taking particular note of enclosure size, lighting and diet.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Russian Tortoise Care Guide
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

These were written by TFO experts who are working hard to correct the outdated information widely available online and from many pet stores and, sadly, from some vets and breeders too.

Posting pictures of your tort's enclosure will help us to help you. If you're buying anything, don't be afraid to ask first. We can save you some expensive mistakes.

 

[Nicole M]

Hi Terrie

This is a flying visit as life off the forum has me snowed under at the moment

Please read the following taking particular note of enclosure size, lighting and diet.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Russian Tortoise Care Guide
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

These were written by TFO experts who are working hard to correct the outdated information widely available online and from many pet stores and, sadly, from some vets and breeders too.

Posting pictures of your tort's enclosure will help us to help you. If you're buying anything, don't be afraid to ask first. We can save you some expensive mistakes.

Great links. Definitely refer to them.

Good luck with your little Russian! I love mine to bits.

 

[Terrie]

Thank you so much for all of your help. I live in the Mojave Desert area of Los Angeles County. Is it okay if we take him (? Not sure about that, has hook on tail. Assuming it's to hold on to female) outside for US light? If so, how long and what temps do they like best.

 

[Terrie]

I like ours, too. The kids named him Sheldon. Haha. Cracks me up.

 

[Tom]

Thank you so much for all of your help. I live in the Mojave Desert area of Los Angeles County. Is it okay if we take him (? Not sure about that, has hook on tail. Assuming it's to hold on to female) outside for US light? If so, how long and what temps do they like best.

Hello and welcome. Congrats on the new tortoise! All the info for housing, feeding and temperatures is in those care sheets that Joe's Mum linked for you.

Here are some outdoor housing tips. Your area is good for this species, but they need an underground retreat to escape the scorching desert heat during the day. Here is one way to do it, but there are many other ways too: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/semi-underground-russian-box.98590/

 

[CathyNed]

Hi Terrie

This is a flying visit as life off the forum has me snowed under at the moment

Please read the following taking particular note of enclosure size, lighting and diet.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Russian Tortoise Care Guide
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

These were written by TFO experts who are working hard to correct the outdated information widely available online and from many pet stores and, sadly, from some vets and breeders too.

Posting pictures of your tort's enclosure will help us to help you. If you're buying anything, don't be afraid to ask first. We can save you some expensive mistakes.

Hope everything is ok @JoesMum