Proper Humidity for Russian Tortoises?

[ZidaoW]

We recently bought a Greek Tortoise who is a juvenile from a pet store. I have been doing research and have been seeing conflicting reports on the proper humidity I should keep the tortoise in. Some websites have been saying 60-70 percent, while others are saying no more than 50% because of the tortoise's arid natural environment. Could I get some help on this?

(OP now knows it's a Russian not a Greek as told)

 

[JoesMum]

Hi there and welcome

Which country are you in? The reason I ask is because pet stores in the US generally don't sell juveniles - they tend to send older sub adults or adults - whatever they claim. Here in the UK, it's more likely to be a baby.

What is the Straight Carapace Length of this tort as this will help us determine its actual stage of development

Here's how to measure SCL
http://www.tlady.clara.net/measure.htm

You are right about the vonfusing and conflicting advice out on the internet. Much of it is also outdated. We're lucky to have species experts here on TFO working hard to get up to date information out there and they've written these care sheets

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

Greek Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/greek-tortoise-testudo-graeca-care-sheet-overview.87146/

 

[Gillian M]

A very warm welcome to the forum.

Please post pics of your tort and his/her enclosure.

 

[ZidaoW]

Hi there and welcome

Which country are you in? The reason I ask is because pet stores in the US generally don't sell juveniles - they tend to send older sub adults or adults - whatever they claim. Here in the UK, it's more likely to be a baby.

What is the Straight Carapace Length of this tort as this will help us determine its actual stage of development

Here's how to measure SCL
http://www.tlady.clara.net/measure.htm

You are right about the vonfusing and conflicting advice out on the internet. Much of it is also outdated. We're lucky to have species experts here on TFO working hard to get up to date information out there and they've written these care sheets

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

Greek Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/greek-tortoise-testudo-graeca-care-sheet-overview.87146/

My tortoise is about 5 inches in length, so I think that makes it an adult, right?

 

[JoesMum]

My tortoise is about 5 inches in length, so I think that makes it an adult, right?

Sub adult. My male Greek grew to just over 10 inches full size... they don't all get as big as that.

Follow the care guide written by Chris that I gave you and ignore the rest of the web; you won't go far wrong.

They are torts of grasslands. The arid environment thing is outdated. They definitely benefit from some humidity. At that size, your tort is also big enough to go outside when the weather is good - as long as the enclosure is secure and escape proof

 

[ZidaoW]

A very warm welcome to the forum.

Please post pics of your tort and his/her enclosure.

Here are some pics of him and his enclosure.

 

[ZidaoW]

Sub adult. My male Greek grew to just over 10 inches full size... they don't all get as big as that.

Follow the care guide written by Chris that I gave you and ignore the rest of the web; you won't go far wrong.

They are torts of grasslands. The arid environment thing is outdated. They definitely benefit from some humidity. At that size, your tort is also big enough to go outside when the weather is good - as long as the enclosure is secure and escape proof

Thanks a lot, I got a humidifier for my tortoise that I have set to turn on at certain intervals so the levels stay appropriate.

 

[ZidaoW]

Oh by the way, I'm not sure why I kept typing Greek, but I believe my tort is russian.

 

[JoesMum]

Yoir tort is definitely Russian and needs a spacious tortoise table. It's no baby and it you don't need high humidity for it.

You should be aiming for an enclosure 4'x8' in size. Russians are very active and needs lots of space

This is the care sheet you actually need
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

 

[ZidaoW]

Yoir tort is definitely Russian and needs a spacious tortoise table. It's no baby and it you don't need high humidity for it.

You should be aiming for an enclosure 4'x8' in size. Russians are very active and needs lots of space

This is the care sheet you actually need
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Thanks, I'm trying to set up an outdoor enclosure, any threads for help on that?

 

[JoesMum]

Tom references outdoor enclosures and further links in that thread