gamera154
Well-Known Member
substrate question what substrate should i use i was thinking of using garden loam or some soil from the ground but im not sure what to use
no no im not saying that i guess i didn't read it right my mistakeWhat? Are you saying our care sheets are outdated? They were both just written within the last two years and contain all the up-to-date info on Russian tortoises...and because they were written by our members here on the Forum, they will be updated if and when more up-to-date info is discovered.
This is the best place for up to date information so if there is any contradictory information elsewhere then I would always go with this site first. The caresheets are based on tried and tested methods from experienced keepers all over the world. Some of whom have been keeping torts long before you and I and they were also taught the old ways but have since changed because up to date information has given them better results and healthier torts.iv checked other forums and the care sheet is out dated but i still can use ground soil so i might use that
i was thinking about my enclosure last night to i think im going to have to attach another bin or two to be able to house an adult with little problems, but keep in mind i will take him/her outside when ever i can (keep in mind that i have dogs (collie pit mix) that i don't trust with a tortoise, but are under lock and key during the weekdays)the thermometer was about $2 and i will be getting more from home depot or lows and even though my enclosure looks small there is more floor space than any thing but yah its around 29in x19in so its kind of small and if i add one to the back of both it would be 29in x 36in and if i add two to the back it's 42in x 29in so what do i doThat text wall was a bit hard to read but, in the future, always check out hardware stores before pet stores for things like thermometers and fixtures. While you'll have to go to the pet store for a UVB bulb, pretty much everything else is carried by hardware stores at better prices.
As for what tortoise to buy - how big is your enclosure again? Generally the enclosures they keep them in in pet stores are temporary so they are quite small. Yours shouldn't be held against those for size comparison.
Captive breed is much more desirable than wild caught, so if you have the choice between the two, pick captive breed. If they've already seen a vet, all the better. You'd also likely be looking at very different size tortoises - the wild caught ones will be adults, the captive breed ones will be hatchlings. Hatchling care is more difficult, but also allows you to start with a smaller enclosure and move up in size.
You will have to be very careful with that clamp lamp the clamps have been known to fail and cause house fires or burn torts, If there is any loop you can attach a length of chain or a long lace etc. then hanging is better because you a bigger area of uvb in the beam rather than only a small area of uvb at an angle. I believe the DIY stores in the US sell brooder lamp hoods for half the price of pet store hoods - you just have to remove the wire guard below the hood. You will also get more accurate thermometers and hygrometers from stores like Home Depot or Walmart at a fraction of the price,
Pet store staff aren't always familiar with tort care and just want to sell you things for profit, so before you waste good money on expensive and maybe unsuitable items always check here first (e.g you don't need an expensive steep sided fancy water dish when a cheap terracotta plant saucer will be safer. A humid hide can be made out of an upturned tub/bowl with a door cut in it much cheaper than bought hides)
4' x 8' is often quoted as the minimum space required for small torts.if i attach two more would it still need to be bigger or no
Still quite a bit short of the 4 x 8 minimum!!how about 4 ft x 2 1/3ft is that big enough?