_The_Beast_
Well-Known Member
Definitely taller than 3/4 imo. Russians like to dig and climb, so there's a chance they may climb over a 3 inch as well depending on how it's made. Are you going for a solid smooth barrier or something with gaps? Pics would help (even if it's in ms paint lol) folks provide better advise 
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
I would go higher yes, don’t suppose you have photos?
Yeah you are right, be best if smooth. I could use a smoked plexiglass. You think that would work? That way can’t see through it. Will post pic in a bit.Definitely taller than 3/4 imo. Russians like to dig and climb, so there's a chance they may climb over a 3 inch as well depending on how it's made. Are you going for a solid smooth barrier or something with gaps? Pics would help (even if it's in ms paint lol) folks provide better advise
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
9/10 the starter kits they sell are all wrong for babies, is this an open top enclosure? You won’t be able to maintain humidity where needed, what kind of lighting came with it? As in basking light, uvb? Any ambient lighting? Always good to check things are correct before you bring baby home
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
I’d suggest giving this housing thread a read to check your bulbs etc, this thead covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers that might even work with the current one!
tortoiseforum.org
This includes some different closed chamber options, some work better than other but perhaps some of the topper ideas will inspire an idea for your current one!
tortoiseforum.org
Lastly, this one is probably most important so do definitely go over this! it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying
tortoiseforum.org
Really hope they help! Always happy to answer any further questions/break down information
Housing young Russian/Herman
Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...
tortoiseforum.org
This includes some different closed chamber options, some work better than other but perhaps some of the topper ideas will inspire an idea for your current one!
Visual inspiration
Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...
tortoiseforum.org
Lastly, this one is probably most important so do definitely go over this! it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying
Common keeping errors
Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...
tortoiseforum.org
Really hope they help! Always happy to answer any further questions/break down information
It’s a closed top, with a hut. I can even cover the opening on the top if needed. I’ve bought several lights recommended here on the forum. Im also making a humidity box that will go inside the hut house. I have substrate recommended here also, several kinds. I’ve read lots of material on keeping a hatchling. This enclosure will have to do until spring. Thermometer/hydrometer, spray bottle, several foods. All the correct feeding plate, water dish etc. I have an awesome diagram of fresh greens to feed. Gosh I can’t wait to get it all together. Getting a Russian from the Tortstork, Randy.9/10 the starter kits they sell are all wrong for babies, is this an open top enclosure? You won’t be able to maintain humidity where needed, what kind of lighting came with it? As in basking light, uvb? Any ambient lighting? Always good to check things are correct before you bring baby home
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Sorry when I say ‘open top’ I mean as in is it a closed chamber set up? Not if it has a lid if that makes sense, the only way to maintain humidity for a hatchling is with everything closed all sides solid, with heating and lighting inside.
Ooo how do you plan to make the humid hide? What kind of substrate you go for? Just genuinely curious
Tip for the spray bottle, don’t use that to solely keep up the humidity, the lukewarm water pour method in a closed chamber works best, it’s covered in the housing thread
hygrometer
Josh Frogs Coco and cypress, and some coco mulch chunky style will be wetting the substrate and monitoring humidity closely. Going to see how the temp and humidity maintains, if there’s any issues I’m prepared to cover the enclosure to hold in the humidity. I have a strong husbandry background of many species and feel confident that I can provide the right environment. I’ve been studying tortoise care for a few months to be sure I can properly care for this little one. I found this forum also, that answered many of my questions. I will check out the lukewarm warm water pour method! Will also look through the housing threads for any recommendations, thanks for mentioning. Let me know if there’s anything else I should look into, appreciate it!Sorry when I say ‘open top’ I mean as in is it a closed chamber set up? Not if it has a lid if that makes sense, the only way to maintain humidity for a hatchling is with everything closed all sides solid, with heating and lighting inside.
Ooo how do you plan to make the humid hide? What kind of substrate you go for? Just genuinely curious
Tip for the spray bottle, don’t use that to solely keep up the humidity, the lukewarm water pour method in a closed chamber works best, it’s covered in the housing thread
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
I would definitely start looking into covers
babies raised in open enclosures inevitably start to pyramid, there’s simply no feasible way to maintain humidity exactly where needed 24/7 with an open enclosure, there’s science behind it, it’s like trying to heat your home with no roof, @Tom explains better lol. Open is fine for adults of this species. Tortoises are their own kettle of fish when it comes to reptile care, so many sources outside this forum are repeating same outdated information that cause known issues, many documented on here through different threads. Lots of the well known members on here have raised different species of tortoise for many years, perfecting the safest, most effective care methods over time, again all documented here, it’s the ultimate hive mind of all things tortoise from people around the world! It’s all up to date(obviously check dates of threads at top, this place has been around a long time now) You can’t go wrong using this site as your source of information, you can challenge members on their answers to get to the nitty gritty of stuff, looking elsewhere there’s no guarantee until you become more familiar with why certain things are no longer recommended
I will take your advice and go ahead and cover the enclosure, best to be safe. It will be easy to do that.I would definitely start looking into covers
Tortoises are their own kettle of fish when it comes to reptile care, so many sources outside this forum are repeating same outdated information that cause known issues, many documented on here through different threads. Lots of the well known members on here have raised different species of tortoise for many years, perfecting the safest, most effective care methods over time, again all documented here, it’s the ultimate hive mind of all things tortoise from people around the world! It’s all up to date(obviously check dates of threads at top, this place has been around a long time now) You can’t go wrong using this site as your source of information, you can challenge members on their answers to get to the nitty gritty of stuff, looking elsewhere there’s no guarantee until you become more familiar with why certain things are no longer recommended
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Awesome! I’m so excited for your new tortoise journey! It’s always lovely watching the beginning of someone’s new baby tort! Would love to see everything up and running if you’re up for sharing your progress
I sure will, should have it all together by Tuesday.Awesome! I’m so excited for your new tortoise journey! It’s always lovely watching the beginning of someone’s new baby tort! Would love to see everything up and running if you’re up for sharing your progress
Hello, thank you for helping me, I have another question. So this little female Russian Tortoise is well started, not hatchling. She is already in an open enclosure. I think I will still insulate and cover the outer surface with 6 mil tarp type plastic. I have awesome pieces of styrofoam that came in the box with the tortoise enclosure that I’m going to put under the tarp material. This will cover all opening, corners etc. I’m cover the 2 openings on the top as well with aluminum foil. I have a Reptile Light, 15W 10.0 UVB Lamp I will mount inside and another dome lamp on the outside top with a 65w heat lamp. I’m making a moisture hut out of a 8”x6” new food storage container to go inside the big hut box. Do you think this is enough for a well started tort baby?Awesome! I’m so excited for your new tortoise journey! It’s always lovely watching the beginning of someone’s new baby tort! Would love to see everything up and running if you’re up for sharing your progress
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
No problem at all! Always happy to help in any way I can
I don’t suppose you have a photo of her from the seller? Did they give you a rough age?
A lot of people out there think because these guys can have low humidity as adults, that they should be housed like it as babies too, so it could well be she’s still a baby needing a closed chamber and they’ve not housed her like that, or, she’s old enough to be fine in an open enclosure, a photo might give us a better idea of what you’re working with, or how many inches her shell is
I think because I’m such a visual person I’m struggling to grasp exactly how your enclosure will be set up, I don’t suppose you have a photo of the enclosure you bought? Even if it’s a stock pic. From my understanding, does it have a cage lid you’re planing to rest the lamps on and cover with foil around them?
Is the reptile light your ambient led lighting or something else?
Is the 15w uvb bulb a regular screw in type or a tube light?
Do you know what kind of heat lamp it is? If you have any packaging or stock photos of these too that’d be great! We can help make sure they’re all the right bulbs to be using for a baby tortoise, so many of the kits come with the wrong ones, and breeders often recommend bad ones too
Your hide idea sounds nice! Hopefully hear back from you soon
This is the baby I’m getting from Tortstork, Randy, recommended here on the forum. I will get pics of lamps, bulbs and enclosure tomorrow.No problem at all! Always happy to help in any way I can
I don’t suppose you have a photo of her from the seller? Did they give you a rough age?
A lot of people out there think because these guys can have low humidity as adults, that they should be housed like it as babies too, so it could well be she’s still a baby needing a closed chamber and they’ve not housed her like that, or, she’s old enough to be fine in an open enclosure, a photo might give us a better idea of what you’re working with, or how many inches her shell is
I think because I’m such a visual person I’m struggling to grasp exactly how your enclosure will be set up, I don’t suppose you have a photo of the enclosure you bought? Even if it’s a stock pic. From my understanding, does it have a cage lid you’re planing to rest the lamps on and cover with foil around them?
Is the reptile light your ambient led lighting or something else?
Is the 15w uvb bulb a regular screw in type or a tube light?
Do you know what kind of heat lamp it is? If you have any packaging or stock photos of these too that’d be great! We can help make sure they’re all the right bulbs to be using for a baby tortoise, so many of the kits come with the wrong ones, and breeders often recommend bad ones too
Your hide idea sounds nice! Hopefully hear back from you soon
Attachments
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Sooo cute!! That is definitely a baby and definitely needs a closed chamber, I’m not sure why she’s currently in an open top but I went back and saw a few members had recommended him on your previous thread. Are you sure there’s no miscommunication of how she’s currently being housed?(we say she but obviously she could still turn out to be a cute little boy)
I’m going to tag these folks as they said he starts his babies right, she does look good, I’m curious on your guys thoughts if she really is already been housed with lower humidity at this young baby stage @zovick @Markw84 id also be curious what @Tom thinks.
Awesome, we’ll await some pics
