Happy to announce...

[xtessybear]

I have had my Russian since the beginning of June. I found out I was completely caring for him the wrong way! I got really scared, so I stumbled upon this beautiful, helpful website. I'm in high school and I have a job, but I'd say I get pretty tight on money. If you check out my other threads, it's basically an SOS, because it drove me crazy that I didn't know where to start. But now, I pulled some strings and I think I just provided him with the best home indoors since I'm living in Minnesota.

Spoiler: Before.

This is roughly the size of the tote Dipper was living in before we upgraded. I was informed by the woman I bought it from that this would be OK, as well as other various sites on the internet until I spent a few hours reading threads on Tortoise Forum. As soon as we upgraded, I used this just to expand the coco coir. He's happier now.

Spoiler: After. ♡

This is after our upgrade. I have a coworker who coincidentally breeds Russians and he offered to build me something for Dipper. It was a hell of a ride to bring it up the staircase and through the door, but his new home is 3ft x 6ft long and 18 inches high. We're also putting together a ramp for a second level on a small portion of his enclosure, as well as planks overhead so the light / heat reach him better. This enclosure is a total monster! It's taken up roughly 1/3 of my room. He's gotten sleepy this winter though, but I can tell he's a different tortoise now. I am so grateful to everyone on here who helped me through this, but him and I both are doing better now.

ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ Happy Holidays!! ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ

 

[Kristoff]

Hi,
More experienced members might provide you with further advice on how to make the enclosure even better, but -- wow! What an upgrade! Great job trying to provide the best for your little guy despite limited resources!

 

[xtessybear]

Hi,
More experienced members might provide you with further advice on how to make the enclosure even better, but -- wow! What an upgrade! Great job trying to provide the best for your little guy despite limited resources!

Thank you!! That means a lot. And yes, I believe there is always room for improvement with us.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Nice upgrade.
I'd add some spider plants to give him a bit of interest and hidey places.
make sure all your lamps face straight down. They are more effective that way and last longer, too.

 

[wellington]

WOOHOO, very happy for your tort for having you as a care taker that is willing to do what is need to give him a good home. Happy for you for finding us and joining in.

 

[TammyJ]

Congrats! Great upgrade.

 

[Yvonne G]

Good job, Tess. I would move the hiding place back into the corner, lower that one light fixture and hang it straight down, and add a few plants. Russian tortoises are earth movers, and quickly destroy real plants, so I like to use those plastic aquarium plants with the weighted base. I bury the base down into the substrate and it's no big deal to put them back upright when he moved them around and knocks them down.

 

[Oogway the russian tort]

Add plants like spider plants or boston fern they love to hide in them and like what Yvonne G said they are earth movers so i put them in tiny pots or pit them in a high place so they cant destroy it but the leaves hamg over for them to hide in