Weight charts

[NationMostWanted]

My baby weight currently is 62 grams. The hatch date was in 6/21, so 3 months now. Unfortunately I didn't get a weight when I first got. Just wondering if the weight is on track currently. I plan to track it monthly now I see progress.

 

[NationMostWanted]

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

That sounds fine to me for a hatchling Russian but wait n see what the more experienced members say

In the meantime, I don’t suppose you’d mind trying to answer these questions? Don’t worry if you can answer all of them, they might help members advise you on adjustments though if needed

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking spot(directly under the bulb) overall day and night temps?
What kind of lighting&heating are you using specifically? Packaging pics are good if you have any!
Do you use indoor uv? If so what kind are you using?
How’s your humidity reading? What do you use for substrate?
How’s the diet been with you?

Any answers to those would be great along with a photo of your full set up if you didn’t mind

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

View attachment 379927

Looks a good size I think, but I will say there’s some pyramiding starting, if you can answer the above questions that’d be great

 

[Tom]

View attachment 379927

62 grams is great for a 3 month old Russian, but your tortoise is pyramiding heavily already.

Pyramiding is caused by growth in conditions that are too dry. You need to change the way you are housing and heating your baby immediately before any more permanent damage is done. You need a large closed camber to hold in humidity, and you need to be using the correct heating and lighting.

How are you housing the baby now? What substrate? What types of bulbs?

 

[NationMostWanted]

That sounds fine to me for a hatchling Russian but wait n see what the more experienced members say

In the meantime, I don’t suppose you’d mind trying to answer these questions? Don’t worry if you can answer all of them, they might help members advise you on adjustments though if needed

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking spot(directly under the bulb) overall day and night temps?
What kind of lighting&heating are you using specifically? Packaging pics are good if you have any!
Do you use indoor uv? If so what kind are you using?
How’s your humidity reading? What do you use for substrate?
How’s the diet been with you?

Any answers to those would be great along with a photo of your full set up if you didn’t mind

Basking temp is 100, night temps are 75s
Lights i use a 75 watt arcadia floodlight bulb and zoomed uvb t5 5.0 bulb at like 10 inches high. Cyprus mulch, humidty 65 to 70 during day and nighttime humidty is 75%. Eats once a day everyday.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Is your enclosure an closed chamber? How are the lamps mounted? Any holes in the lid?

 

[NationMostWanted]

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Basking temp is 100, night temps are 75s
Lights i use a 75 watt arcadia floodlight bulb and zoomed uvb t5 5.0 bulb at like 10 inches high. Cyprus mulch, humidty 65 to 70 during day and nighttime humidty is 75%. Eats once a day everyday.

Thanks for the reply! Everything sounds pretty good barring your humidity which will explain the pyramiding, is he in a closed set up? Babies ideally need 80+ humidity 24/7, the only way to maintain this is a closed chamber

 

[NationMostWanted]

I was under impression that 65-70 would high enough.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

View attachment 379928View attachment 379929

Thank you! This is helpful! I can see what’s happening with your humidity now, because there’s an open section for the lighting, it’s creating a chimney effect, which is drawing all your heat and humidity up and out the top.

Your best bet would probably be to look into a greenhouse cover or grow tent, you want all heating and lighting inside the chamber itself.

Perhaps a look through this thread will help, there’s some visual examples at the bottom

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

I was under impression that 65-70 would high enough.

Babies do need it a bit higher to help aid in smooth growth, once an adult 40-60 is a fine humidity reading

 

[NationMostWanted]

Few more photos

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Few more photos View attachment 379932View attachment 379933View attachment 379934

Very cute baby! I’m sure with the humidity higher his growth will start smoothing out for you