Introductions

[helen stieben]

I inherited 2 Russian tortoises from my neighbors because they were not taking very good care of them. I have a large tank for them, but was thinking of getting a bigger one. I live in Washington state, so the weather is getting cooler. On sunny, warm days I let them go outside in the yard, but now that it's getting cooler, I don't think that will be such a good idea.
I am still trying to figure out the best foods for them. They really like romaine lettuce and I have also been giving them shredded carrots. Any advice would be greatly welcomed.

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. There is no tank big enough for one adult Russian let alone two. One should be in a minimum of 4x8. Tortoises also don't do good in pairs. If these two haven't already figured out who the bully is, they will and ones health will go down hill. Please get them their own enclosures, inside and out. If the temp outside is at least 70 or above a Russian can be outside and then bring them in at night.
We have a good care sheet. Take a look at it under the Russian section. Feed a wide variety of foods. Broadleaf tort safe weeds. Grocery greens, spring mix, endive, mustard greens, collard greens, kale, just to name a few

 

[helen stieben]

Hello and Welcome. There is no tank big enough for one adult Russian let alone two. One should be in a minimum of 4x8. Tortoises also don't do good in pairs. If these two haven't already figured out who the bully is, they will and ones health will go down hill. Please get them their own enclosures, inside and out. If the temp outside is at least 70 or above a Russian can be outside and then bring them in at night.
We have a good care sheet. Take a look at it under the Russian section. Feed a wide variety of foods. Broadleaf tort safe weeds. Grocery greens, spring mix, endive, mustard greens, collard greens, kale, just to name a few

Hello and Welcome. There is no tank big enough for one adult Russian let alone two. One should be in a minimum of 4x8. Tortoises also don't do good in pairs. If these two haven't already figured out who the bully is, they will and ones health will go down hill. Please get them their own enclosures, inside and out. If the temp outside is at least 70 or above a Russian can be outside and then bring them in at night.
We have a good care sheet. Take a look at it under the Russian section. Feed a wide variety of foods. Broadleaf tort safe weeds. Grocery greens, spring mix, endive, mustard greens, collard greens, kale, just to name a few

Thank you very much. I was wondering about them being together. When they are in the yard the move around so much and the smaller one does seem to pick on the bigger one. They are both males.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello Helen

 

[Jodie]

Hello, and welcome to the forum from Spokane.

 

[JoesMum]

Hello and welcome

You have sound advice about separating and about space. Russians can hibernate, so living outdoors and then hibernating for the worst of the winter is an option.

We have some great species experts here on TFO who are working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Please read the following

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Why not to keep 2 torts together
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...together-a-lesson-learned-the-hard-way.94114/

Diet is leafy greens, ideally picked from your yard (pesticide and herbicide free) rather than the grocery store.

Russians cannot digest sugars properly - it causes digestive and kidney problems - so fruit, tomato, bell pepper and carrot should only be fed very sparingly and very occasionally. (Banana is too sugary and should never be fed)

 

[JoesMum]

Here's a list of suitable greens

Look them up on The Tortoise Table Plant Database if you're not sure what they look like.
http://thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/plant_database_14.asp

Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc...
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Weeds:
There are soooooooo many...
Dandelion
Mallow
Filaree
Smooth Sow thistle
Prickly Sow thistle
Milk thistle
Goat head weed
Cats ear
Nettles
Trefoil
Wild onion
Wild mustard
Wild Garlic
Clovers
Broadleaf plantain
Narrow leaf plantain
Chick weed
Hawksbit
Hensbit
Hawksbeard

 

[JoesMum]

And because it often causes confusion, here's a lighting summary:

Your tort needs:

1. A basking lamp
This must hang vertically, not at an angle. Basking is essential to raise your tortoise's core temperature so it can digest food.

2. UVB light
Read the instructions for the source to see how close to the substrate it must be. UVB is essential so your tort can process dietary calcium and have healthy bones and shell.

Both 1 and 2 are available from the sun for those able to live outside.

UVB does not pass through glass or perspex(plexiglass) - light must be direct to be effective not through a window. Mesh screening can also interfere with UVB.

3. A minimum overnight temperature (see the care sheet for your species - 65F for Russians) and complete darkness at night to sleep.


Notes

(a) A Mercury Vapor Bulb (MVB) provides combined UVB and Basking. Alternatively you can use 2 bulbs: a tube UVB and a reflector bulb for basking (a household reflector - not low energy or halogen - from a hardware store will do the job; it's the wattage that counts)

(b) Ignore any references to UVA you may read - it's misleading marketing speak.

(c) Compact coil UVB harms tortoise eyes and must not be used.

(d) Basking and UVB should be on a timer so the light(s) are on for 12 hours a day. Temperature under the basking is regulated by its height above the substrate.

(e) Overnight, depending on your home, you may need additional heat. You get this from a CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter) which must be on a thermostat.

(f) Torts have outstanding colour vision and love red and purple food. Coloured heat lamps colour tank decor and torts don't always apply intelligence to what they eat, resulting them in eating tank decor. Coloured bulbs should not be used.


Measurements

There are 4 important temperatures that you must know for an indoor enclosure.
- Directly under the basking lamp
- Warm side
- Cool side
- Overnight Minimum

You will need digital thermometers for accuracy.

A temperature gun thermometer (inexpensive from Amazon) measures temperature accurately in specific places like directly under the basking lamp.

A min/max thermometer so you know the min/max temperatures in your home by day and night.

You should also get a good digital probe hygrometer to measure humidity.

Thermometers and hygrometer that stick to the side of the enclosure tend to be less accurate.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Helen, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
Joe's Mum has already given you a shed load of great info, so i'll just say thanks for taking on the duo and thanks for coming here for help.
Follow the information given and you won't go far wrong.

 

[Yvonne G]

We're more than happy to help you, but we'll have to see pictures of your new tortoise.

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome Helen !