alaskabeardogs
New Member
Hello everyone, I live on the kenai peninsula in Alaska. My name is Susan and my Russian tortoises name is Lil Buddy. I'm not sure how old he is, he's approximate 5" from front to back of the shell. He was a rescue. I mean literally was rescued, and was very cold and very lethargic. Took him to the Vet immediately and was given instructions to get him warmed up! He had been left outside in the rain and wind for close to a month. He's doing super good now and I believe he's healthy.
Ok now to my point. I literally research daily questions I have on what to feed, what substrate, what heat lamps, lighting lamps, etc. I did read quite a bit that was written for us tortoise beginners when I registered here. It was great information, thank you. But I'm still confused on the feeding. I read that kale is great for getting their calcium. Then I'll read that kale is not good. Buy a calcium supplement instead. So I need an absolute answer to feed kale or not.
This is what I feed, romaine lettuce, kale, red leaf lettuce, collard greens, periodically a piece of yellow bell pepper. I say periodically because he loves it and won't eat his greens if he eats it first. I have to buy from the grocery store, winter is upon us here, so no collecting weeds till next summer. I bought dome dried flowers from petco, but he's not interested. What else can I feed???? Also, I'm not sure what is an appropriate amount of food he is supposed to be eating daily? I have the petco water dish, but will pickup a Tera cotta dish soon, thank you to the beginners information that has been written.
I'm trying to absorb all the information possible on the right things to do for my
tortoise. I had no idea that I would become a tortoise owner overnight. In an emergency to built an enclosure we had no idea that his enclosure should of been built larger. His enclosure measures 2'x4'. I'll attach a picture. I read it's to be very large, but what is considered large? I'm sure my husband will build me another enclosure when he gets over having to build this one for me. For substrate I used forest floor, and coco coir. I see now that I need to order that orchid something. I saw someone posted a picture of it. Ok now for that last question, should I be misting the enclosure, and what temp should the humidity gage read?? Thank you all for all your wisdom. I'm reading your posts, and learning lots!!
Ok now to my point. I literally research daily questions I have on what to feed, what substrate, what heat lamps, lighting lamps, etc. I did read quite a bit that was written for us tortoise beginners when I registered here. It was great information, thank you. But I'm still confused on the feeding. I read that kale is great for getting their calcium. Then I'll read that kale is not good. Buy a calcium supplement instead. So I need an absolute answer to feed kale or not.
This is what I feed, romaine lettuce, kale, red leaf lettuce, collard greens, periodically a piece of yellow bell pepper. I say periodically because he loves it and won't eat his greens if he eats it first. I have to buy from the grocery store, winter is upon us here, so no collecting weeds till next summer. I bought dome dried flowers from petco, but he's not interested. What else can I feed???? Also, I'm not sure what is an appropriate amount of food he is supposed to be eating daily? I have the petco water dish, but will pickup a Tera cotta dish soon, thank you to the beginners information that has been written.
I'm trying to absorb all the information possible on the right things to do for my
tortoise. I had no idea that I would become a tortoise owner overnight. In an emergency to built an enclosure we had no idea that his enclosure should of been built larger. His enclosure measures 2'x4'. I'll attach a picture. I read it's to be very large, but what is considered large? I'm sure my husband will build me another enclosure when he gets over having to build this one for me. For substrate I used forest floor, and coco coir. I see now that I need to order that orchid something. I saw someone posted a picture of it. Ok now for that last question, should I be misting the enclosure, and what temp should the humidity gage read?? Thank you all for all your wisdom. I'm reading your posts, and learning lots!!