Urgent Question about Shipping

[Darby Homestead]

Hector, my two month old Russian, will be arriving tomorrow to my previous neighbor. He left to come to us around 10:30 this morning. My neighbor just informed me that she can't get here until 4 pm tomorrow. That's more than 24 hours for him to arrive here. The weather will be be 56 overnight at 67 degrees tomorrow.

If this will be dangerous for him, I can take my husband to work tomorrow to have the car to pick him up earlier. It's a two hour round trip twice and paying the extra gas will be a hardship, but I'll do it if he needs me to!

We have his habitat set up and ready for him. We've tested all equipment and practiced getting his soak water ready. He will be able to be under his lamp and in his habitat as soon as he arrives to my house... in case that matters.

Please advise asap! Thank you so much in advance.

 

[dmmj]

it all depends whether it was packed with a heat warmer or not. But if it was me I would do it hardship or not

 

[Darby Homestead]

Thank you for the fast reply. I have word out to a few other people to get him here sooner. If no response, I'll take the car tomorrow.

 

[saginawhxc]

Did you say you practiced getting the soak water ready?

That's equal parts cute and impressive.

In all likely hood I'm guessing anybody going to those kind of lengths will be great tort parents.

I also would do it, but it will probably be just fine of its an adult. I don't have direct experience with Russian hatchlings so I can't speak of their hardiness.

 

[Darby Homestead]

D'oh. Maybe it was an overshare. =)

Hector's mom will actually be my 13 year old daughter. She's *very* worried about doing everything just so, so we decided to do it all before he gets here.

Thank you very much for your kind words.

 

[Yvonne G]

Those temperatures are ok for a full grown Russian, but a 2 month old baby not so much.

 

[Darby Homestead]

Thank you for your guidance. I thought being a hatchling, everything needed to be warmer, more humid, etc. It's not often my panic and worry turns out to be correct!

 

[JoesMum]

Hi Darby

Can I suggest that you read the following written by TFO species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

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

Baby Russian Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

 

[Darby Homestead]

Hi Darby

Can I suggest that you read the following written by TFO species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

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

Baby Russian Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

I've read both of those threads, at least twice. Finding this forum is why I finally okayed her having a tortoise. There is nothing better than having an experienced mentor (in this case many!) when raising an exotic pet.

Did you provide the threads for general information or are you suggesting I missed something? If I missed it, pretty please spell it out for us. (Reading written things can be fussy... I mean that very respectfully!)

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Good luck with this.
I don't think Linda (Joe's mum) was implying you'd done anything wrong (though she may correct me!)
It's quite usual for us to post those threads, just in case someone hasn't found them.

 

[JoesMum]

Hi

Adam is correct. I usually type "if you haven't already" in when I post links and forgot on this occasion

 

[Darby Homestead]

Hi

Adam is correct. I usually type "if you haven't already" in when I post links and forgot on this occasion

In case you haven't noticed, we're a little neurotic about doing this right. I was just checking. No harm done.

Can you tell me the correct overnight temp for his enclosure? I've got hot side, cold side, and basking spot, but can't find the specific range for overnight. We have the ceramic heat emitter, but we're not clear on the temp to maintain.

I sure do appreciate the responses and well wishes.

 

[Mr Buster]

Well, this is an animal that can fend for itself for many decades in the wild. Just watch the temperatures and UVB. Reptiles do not sweat like humans, They adjust their body temperatures by moving to different parts to adjust their body heat. If your home is at least 60 degrees at night I would not worry. if all go rights your little one will go from being the fragile little baby to being a pain in the *** in no time at all.

 

[Darby Homestead]

Thank you. We keep the heat at 61 overnight. So, below that is when I would use the ceramic heat emitter?

He's home and he's amazing. We are absolutely smitten. He's eating, drinking, pooping, and all!

I really appreciate everyone's help along the way. I truly feel sorry for all the tortoises whose parents haven't found you to guide them!

 

[Mr Buster]

I would not use the heat emitter if it is that warm. I would also not recommend trying to regulate the tortoise, say by always picking it up and placing it under the heat lamp. Tortoises self-thremulate by moving around. Tortoises actually appreciate cooler night time temperatures than people do according to George Hoppendale "Russian Tortoises as Pets".

 

[JoesMum]

Hi Darby

You have baby. You shouldn't let temperatures drop below 65F at night. Use a thermostat with your Ceramic Heat Emitter and it will only cut in if necessary.

 

[Darby Homestead]

OH! I see. Can you pretty please provide an amazon link for the correct thermostat? I'll get it immediately.

Thankfully, temperatures have not gotten that low.

 

[Mr Buster]

I don't know because I don't use a heat emitter. But look for Zoo Med or Zilla on Amazon but they also keep these in stock at Pet unSmart and Petco. You would be looking at around $25.