New russian tortoise mama

[Ms.Opal]

Hi my name is Denisse I live in southern California. I took in a russian tortoise couple months ago. He is kept in a tank at night outdoors during the day. Since I'm very new to taking care of an rt I'll be on here quit a bit.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

WELCOME

 

[JoesMum]

Hello and welcome

Please take the time to read the following which will help you get things right for your new friend

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

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

We love to see pictures

Pictures of the enclosure and lighting will help us to help you get it perfect

 

[Jacqui]

Hi! What I can see of the enclosure looks pretty good. Do you have caps or an inner lip on the corners so he can't escape? Welcome to TFO.

 

[Pearly]

Hi Ms Opal and welcome from Texas.

 

[Ms.Opal]

Hello and welcome

Please take the time to read the following which will help you get things right for your new friend

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

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

We love to see pictures

Pictures of the enclosure and lighting will help us to help you get it perfect

Hello and welcome

Please take the time to read the following which will help you get things right for your new friend

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

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

We love to see pictures

Pictures of the enclosure and lighting will help us to help you get it perfect

Thanks for the info.

 

[Ms.Opal]

Hi! What I can see of the enclosure looks pretty good. Do you have caps or an inner lip on the corners so he can't escape? Welcome to TFO.

Thanks! I do not have caps or lip corners. My next project will be that. He has escaped I had to redo the fencing.

 

[JoesMum]

Thanks! I do not have caps or lip corners. My next project will be that. He has escaped I had to redo the fencing.

Russians are experts at climbing and digging. Escape-proofing the enclosure is essential!

 

[Ms.Opal]

Russians are experts at climbing and digging. Escape-proofing the enclosure is essential!

Can I use thick fabric? What material is best?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Denisse, and welcome to the Forum!

If you just add a horizontal board all around on the sides, he can't climb out. Similar to this:



But not just on the sides, on all the fence all the way around. If you do the horizontal board you don't need the wire cover. This is a baby yard and the wire keeps the birds from taking the baby. Your russian is big enough the birds won't take him.

 

[Ms.Opal]

Hi Denisse, and welcome to the Forum!

If you just add a horizontal board all around on the sides, he can't climb out. Similar to this:

View attachment 171488

But not just on the sides, on all the fence all the way around. If you do the horizontal board you don't need the wire cover. This is a baby yard and the wire keeps the birds from taking the baby. Your russian is big enough the birds won't take him.

Got it! Thanks for the visual.

 

[spud's_mum]

Welcome

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

Hello! Welcome to the forum ! Your outdoor enclosure looks good!

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome. Great advice so far.

My concern is your water bowl. It is potentially hazardous. Terra cotta plant saucers work better and are much more suitable for tortoises. And cheap too. I would suggest an 8 or 10" saucer for your little guy. Sink it into the substrate so the rim is near level with the ground, and you should have a well hydrated tortoise all summer long.

Where in SoCal are you? If your temps get near 100 in summer, you might want to consider an underground retreat for your tortoise too. THey are easy to make with minimal digging.

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome Denisse !

 

[Jacqui]

The water source was my next question. I am not sure, but from the angle it also looks a little small for him to get fully into and soak. Like Tom said, plant saucers work great

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello