New RT owner

IronHorse51

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2016
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
New York
Hi all! Last sunday my fiancé and I purchased our first RT. This weekend I am going to build her a table (2' x 4') with a possible upper level basking area. Coconut coir and top soil will be the substrate. I had a few other care questions though seen as there is just so much info out there....What is good to feed them? Of coarse I got duked by the petsmart turd ball and bought the grassland tortoise pellets.....Then after some digging we just started feeding her spring mix (no spinach), and kale and some shredded carrot. We been feeding in the amount roughly the size of her shell. Should we be giving any supplements? Right now until the table is built she is in a 30 gal rubbermaid container with (I now know it's wrong) reptibark. Looking forward to learning some new stuff! I have attached a photo. Meet Penelope!! Thanks :)
 

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wellington

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Sep 6, 2011
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Hello. They eat a variet of broad leaf weeds. In the winter I feed most of the human greens that I feed my leopards. Male, mustard, ridichio, dandelion, red leaf, etc. In the summer, he grazes and then gets a little more greens at night when I bring him in.
If the table is his only enclosure, a 2x4 is too small for an adult. It should be at least 4x6 or bigger if you can. In the wild, Russians cover a lot of ground. Also it will need some humidity. A warm humid hide would work
 

turdle yerdle

Active Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2015
Messages
162
Location (City and/or State)
IL
Hi all! Last sunday my fiancé and I purchased our first RT. This weekend I am going to build her a table (2' x 4') with a possible upper level basking area. Coconut coir and top soil will be the substrate. I had a few other care questions though seen as there is just so much info out there....What is good to feed them? Of coarse I got duked by the petsmart turd ball and bought the grassland tortoise pellets.....Then after some digging we just started feeding her spring mix (no spinach), and kale and some shredded carrot. We been feeding in the amount roughly the size of her shell. Should we be giving any supplements? Right now until the table is built she is in a 30 gal rubbermaid container with (I now know it's wrong) reptibark. Looking forward to learning some new stuff! I have attached a photo. Meet Penelope!! Thanks :)
So adorable!
 

IronHorse51

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2016
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
New York
Hello. They eat a variet of broad leaf weeds. In the winter I feed most of the human greens that I feed my leopards. Male, mustard, ridichio, dandelion, red leaf, etc. In the summer, he grazes and then gets a little more greens at night when I bring him in.
If the table is his only enclosure, a 2x4 is too small for an adult. It should be at least 4x6 or bigger if you can. In the wild, Russians cover a lot of ground. Also it will need some humidity. A warm humid hide would work
I was going to put one hide in the warm end (like a half log buried) and one in the cooler.
 

wellington

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10 Year Member!
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Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
I was going to put one hide in the warm end (like a half log buried) and one in the cooler.
First, I apologies for all my typos in my first post. In a 2x4 the more you put in the less room he has to walk and get exercise. Make it larger and what I think works good for a hide and doesn't take up floor space is to cover a small portion of one end. Two hides is fine, but more floor space is needed.
 

IronHorse51

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Mar 22, 2016
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Location (City and/or State)
New York
First, I apologies for all my typos in my first post. In a 2x4 the more you put in the less room he has to walk and get exercise. Make it larger and what I think works good for a hide and doesn't take up floor space is to cover a small portion of one end. Two hides is fine, but more floor space is needed.
I understand what you mean.....I will post pictures up of the finished product :) I think it will be acceptable! One hide will be just like you said. I would like to do a 2nd level but I will have to see how it goes. I'm not exactly a carpenter.
 

IronHorse51

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Joined
Mar 22, 2016
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
New York
Well here is the rough cut of my table. I found a book shelf for $20 and bought the rest of the supplies for around $50. Total tort roaming space 54"long x 27" wide. I will keep posting as we finish this up :)
 

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turdle yerdle

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Apr 26, 2015
Messages
162
Location (City and/or State)
IL
Hi all! Last sunday my fiancé and I purchased our first RT. This weekend I am going to build her a table (2' x 4') with a possible upper level basking area. Coconut coir and top soil will be the substrate. I had a few other care questions though seen as there is just so much info out there....What is good to feed them? Of coarse I got duked by the petsmart turd ball and bought the grassland tortoise pellets.....Then after some digging we just started feeding her spring mix (no spinach), and kale and some shredded carrot. We been feeding in the amount roughly the size of her shell. Should we be giving any supplements? Right now until the table is built she is in a 30 gal rubbermaid container with (I now know it's wrong) reptibark. Looking forward to learning some new stuff! I have attached a photo. Meet Penelope!! Thanks :)
I've heard the tortoise supply broad leaf seed mix is a GREAT source of food. I've never tried it though
 

IronHorse51

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2016
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
New York
Well folks.....Here is the completed tort table! 6 inches of topsoil with a top coat of coconut choir. She seems to like it as she explored and even ate a little bit. Next is to upgrade the lighting. I'm thinking one power sun with a tube UVB along the back side of the table. I just don't know if that would be too much UVB.....I welcome all your thoughts!
 

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turdle yerdle

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Apr 26, 2015
Messages
162
Location (City and/or State)
IL
You should put plants inside, Like succulents, Pothos, Palm, Broadleaf weeds, Grass, And other plants.
 

turdle yerdle

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Joined
Apr 26, 2015
Messages
162
Location (City and/or State)
IL
You need one more hide on the hot side also, I love the table, so much room!
 

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