melissamtga
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2017
- Messages
- 9
Hi everyone!
My name's Melissa and I'm new to the forums. I have a Russian tortoise named Shell.
I first purchased Shell at the age of 9 from a rundown pet shop. I thought, at the time, that the shop owner had knowledge about my little guy. Turns out, she knew nothing. She claimed he was five, but really had no background on him.
He was in really bad shape.
Since then, I've been learning to care for him on my own. I've made significant changes to improve his overall health, but it seems that I am still lacking in many areas.
I will list below what I am giving and/or doing for him - if you guys could continue to point me in the right direction I would be extremely grateful.
Shell lives in a tortoise table I recently built for him. It's very large, and very spacious but he doesn't seem to move around it a lot.
He has a red UVB lamp that I leave on 24/7, and that provides him with the warmth he needs.
He also has a regular light to get the needed nutrients for his shell, which I leave on for 12 hours a day, and shut off for the other 12 hours. I change the bulb every year.
For substrate, I use cypress mulch that I often mist to prevent loose dirt from flying up and causing respiratory problems.
He has a water dish, in case he gets thirsty.
I soak him for 15 minutes in warm water about once a week. The doctor said he is dehydrated and I am not sure how else to fix this problem.
He eats red leaf lettuce on the daily, and I sprinkle that with calcium powder. He refuses to eat kale or other leafy greens.. anyone know how I can make that more enticing for him?
I am also beginning to implement T-REX tortoise dry formula for the needed vitamins he is missing.
He does eat in a separate bin.
He has places to climb and things to do, but he mostly sleeps. The temperate is always about 85 degrees Fahrenheit in his cage, and always warmer under his red lamp, which he basks under.
If you guys could leave me some tips, tricks, or advice, I would so greatly appreciate it. I want Shell to live out the rest of his days in pure paradise. Thanks!!!
My name's Melissa and I'm new to the forums. I have a Russian tortoise named Shell.
I first purchased Shell at the age of 9 from a rundown pet shop. I thought, at the time, that the shop owner had knowledge about my little guy. Turns out, she knew nothing. She claimed he was five, but really had no background on him.
He was in really bad shape.
Since then, I've been learning to care for him on my own. I've made significant changes to improve his overall health, but it seems that I am still lacking in many areas.
I will list below what I am giving and/or doing for him - if you guys could continue to point me in the right direction I would be extremely grateful.
Shell lives in a tortoise table I recently built for him. It's very large, and very spacious but he doesn't seem to move around it a lot.
He has a red UVB lamp that I leave on 24/7, and that provides him with the warmth he needs.
He also has a regular light to get the needed nutrients for his shell, which I leave on for 12 hours a day, and shut off for the other 12 hours. I change the bulb every year.
For substrate, I use cypress mulch that I often mist to prevent loose dirt from flying up and causing respiratory problems.
He has a water dish, in case he gets thirsty.
I soak him for 15 minutes in warm water about once a week. The doctor said he is dehydrated and I am not sure how else to fix this problem.
He eats red leaf lettuce on the daily, and I sprinkle that with calcium powder. He refuses to eat kale or other leafy greens.. anyone know how I can make that more enticing for him?
I am also beginning to implement T-REX tortoise dry formula for the needed vitamins he is missing.
He does eat in a separate bin.
He has places to climb and things to do, but he mostly sleeps. The temperate is always about 85 degrees Fahrenheit in his cage, and always warmer under his red lamp, which he basks under.
If you guys could leave me some tips, tricks, or advice, I would so greatly appreciate it. I want Shell to live out the rest of his days in pure paradise. Thanks!!!