TORTOISE SITTER

[ceci3692]

So i am leaving for mexico in two weeks and will be gone for two weeks. my brother has agreed to watch him for me but he has never taken care of him before.

i have a russian tortoise..
whats good advice to give my brother when watching him. i dont have an enclosure for him that easily movable, where should my brother house him temporarily? should i give him the lamps as well or will troubles be okay with out them for 13 days ?

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[Vickie]

I will leave the whole lamps questions etc for more experienced people. However, for brother I would leave a list and a rough time set up for him. That way he can look at it and know he hasn't missed anything that needs done.

 

[Pokeymeg]

If you are going to move him to your brothers, bring the lamps. A change in environment is stressful enough, you don't want to leave him in the dark! Are your lamps in a timer? If so, you can easily replicate the light cycle you have now.

Give him a checklist of daily things (check food & water, spot clean poop) - I'm sure he can handle it!

 

[wellington]

If he is going to your brothers house, then buy a large plastic tote and put the same substrate in it, his hide and his food and water bowls/rock/saucer. Give a list of what you do for your tort daily. If your lights are not on a timer, set them up now on a timer and take the lights and timer to your brothers so he doesn't have to worry about turning them on and off. You may want to even set up the temp home up for a week before your brother has to take over and put your tort in it for this week. By the time he goes to your brothers, he will be used to the new enclosure. If the tort is staying at your house in is same enclosure, then put the lights on a timer and give your brother a list of the daily things you do for your tort. Then, trust your brother and have fun of your vacation. Also, be sure to go over the instruction sheet with your brother before you leave so he understands what you are saying.

 

[Vickie]

Oh also, to add to my last comment something I had done in the past on an animal others really didn't know much about I spent a good 1/2-1 day with them showing all the ropes. That way I felt much more relaxed knowing they understood my directions and things were being done properly.

 

[ceci3692]

thanks guys!! really helpful advice ive gone over the everyday tasks with my brother, but ill write them down for him before i leave. i do have my lights on a timer so i will transfer them over, that makes it easier. definitely dont want my tort-baby feeling uncomfortable! i do have extra substrate so ill probably buy a container to set him up in temporarily.

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