Newbie Set Up

[Alex and the Redfoot]

He should be on newspapers after the first dewormer dose. Newspapers should be changed daily or after every poop. After all dewormer dose have been administered (ideally, when a fecal test confirmed he is clean), you can switch back to substrate. Ideally - to fresh new substrate. Probably, old substrate can be reused after baking it in the oven, but I won't go this way. All dishes should be cleaned up before placing them back.

 

[Kala]

He should be on newspapers after the first dewormer dose. Newspapers should be changed daily or after every poop. After all dewormer dose have been administered (ideally, when a fecal test confirmed he is clean), you can switch back to substrate. Ideally - to fresh new substrate. Probably, old substrate can be reused after baking it in the oven, but I won't go this way. All dishes should be cleaned up before placing them back.

Thank you. I assume that humidity levels go out the window during this process? As I can’t imagine paper will hold it well 😥 Can he still have all of his accessories ie stones, slate, his wheel, plants etc?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you. I assume that humidity levels go out the window during this process? As I can’t imagine paper will hold it well 😥 Can he still have all of his accessories ie stones, slate, his wheel, plants etc?

Yes, humidity will drop. This won't be too bad with regular soaks. Also, a water dish or bowl under the basking lamp should help with some humidity.
I would leave only the things with easy to wash surfaces. So a plastic wheel can stay. The whole thing with newspapers is to prevent reinfestation with eggs, so the less stuff we have - the better (and less to wash daily).
But I may be overly cautions...

 

[Kala]

Yes, humidity will drop. This won't be too bad with regular soaks. Also, a water dish or bowl under the basking lamp should help with some humidity.
I would leave only the things with easy to wash surfaces. So a plastic wheel can stay. The whole thing with newspapers is to prevent reinfestation with eggs, so the less stuff we have - the better (and less to wash daily).
But I may be overly cautions...

No that makes sense and was as I thought but wanted to check, thank you. His wheel has a cork covering so I guess it’s best to take that out during the process. Poor little thing won’t know what to do with himself 🥲

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

No that makes sense and was as I thought but wanted to check, thank you. His wheel has a cork covering so I guess it’s best to take that out during the process. Poor little thing won’t know what to do with himself 🥲

Oh, yes. He has just got comfortable with the new place... But that's just for a couple of weeks.

 

[Kala]

Hi all! Would this organic compost be ok to grow seeds in? I think it meets all the safety requirements but I wanted to check!

https://amzn.eu/d/1nA0jTC

 

[Kala]

Or this would be even better if it’s suitable, can get a lot more for the same money

https://amzn.eu/d/8w4MIon

 

[Kala]

Also, how long should their claws be? I’m worried his aren’t wearing down despite having terracotta saucers, slate and lots of pebbles

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Also, how long should their claws be? I’m worried his aren’t wearing down despite having terracotta saucers, slate and lots of pebbles

Russian tortoise claws are naturally quite long to help them dig so I wouldn't worry too much as long as they are not curling or anything. You can of course send us a picture if you want to make sure. Here are some photos of natural length/normal length nails for reference: https://russiantortoise.org/toenails.htm

 

[_The_Beast_]

Hatchling nails are fairly long and will gradually becoming thicker, stubbier, less opaque looking nails providing care is sound (and from this thread the care you're providing is excellent!). The difference in my hatchling's nails from 4 months old to almost 7 months old has been really interesting to watch. There's a quick in the nail (blood vessels), so avoid trimming unless they are so long they start curling or are impeding movement.

I think folks generally avoid compost, organic or otherwise, because it's pretty impossible to know everything that went into it to ensure that it is tort safe. Others who grow will have better advice though. If you search for threads on 'compost' a lot should come up as it's a pretty common question

 

[Kala]

I forgot to reply to thank you both for your help with my last question! His nails look just like the pictures so I guess they’re as they should be 😊 He loses one every now and then, not sure why, maybe from trying to climb everything? 😅 He always his nails in the runners for the sliding doors! I can see them growing back pretty quickly though. Thanks again!

A question regarding weight gain… he’s gained 7g in 7/8 weeks, is this an ok amount?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I forgot to reply to thank you both for your help with my last question! His nails look just like the pictures so I guess they’re as they should be 😊 He loses one every now and then, not sure why, maybe from trying to climb everything? 😅 He always his nails in the runners for the sliding doors! I can see them growing back pretty quickly though. Thanks again!

A question regarding weight gain… he’s gained 7g in 7/8 weeks, is this an ok amount?

Hi!
7 gramms in 2 months is not a superb weight gain but still it's growth. As he has had worm issues I guess that was the reason.

 

[Kala]

Hi!
7 gramms in 2 months is not a superb weight gain but still it's growth. As he has had worm issues I guess that was the reason.

Ahh yeah that would make sense wouldn’t it. I thought 1g a week was the ideal gain, is not that right?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Ahh yeah that would make sense wouldn’t it. I thought 1g a week was the ideal gain, is not that right?

There is no ideal gain. We can expect them to double weight for the first few years. But they all grow in their own pace.

To be honest, I haven't thought of his current size and weight. For a Russian hatchling it's probably fine growth. My RF gains 10-12 grams a week and that's the numbers I've got used to. But she is 931 grams

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I think that it is more important that there isn't any weight loss. And at that stage there should be always some gain week to week, no matter the amount.

 

[_The_Beast_]

Ahh yeah that would make sense wouldn’t it. I thought 1g a week was the ideal gain, is not that right?

How long has Minty been worm free now? I think the worms would have been an issue with growth because they'd be stealing important nutrients.

If Minty is worm free and continues to have a good appetite you should start seeing more consistent weight gain. How is shell growth? Does the shell feel firm (not squishy soft)?

WL grows in spurts, sometimes gaining 0-2 grams a week and then sometimes jumping and gaining 10 grams. Weighing at the same time under the same conditions will also help get accurate readings (e.g. Friday morning before bath).

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

WL grows in spurts, sometimes gaining 0-2 grams a week and then sometimes jumping and gaining 10 grams. Weighing at the same time under the same conditions will also help get accurate readings (e.g. Friday morning before bath).

This tip is really important since tortoises weight can fluctuate due to eating, drinking, peeing and pooping quite a few grams. I also take a monthly average from Edward's weekly weigh-ins to see consistent trends.