Recent content by ChiKat

I purchased a Russian tortoise hatchling from Southern Reptiles in September. Ryan was extremely responsive to my emails. My tortoise arrived in perfect health, and was very active from the moment I unboxed him 🤣 He is an excellent eater and eats a wide variety of foods. He doesn’t mind his...

Great info, thank you so much! This is marsh pennywort, correct? Also in my backyard

My phone identifies this as pennywort- is that correct? It’s growing in the forest behind my house. Edible? I have a Russian tortoise

Okay, thank you!

This is growing in the forest behind my house. Central Florida

Thank you very much! The Repti bark is a hit 😊

Not specifically marketed for reptiles, so I guess that’s where I went wrong 🙈 It was this brand from Amazon. I see a “ReptiEarth” brand…maybe I’ll order that as a replacement.

I have a new Russian tortoise hatchling with coco coir as his substrate. He loves to burrow in it, but this morning I found mold in several places! I’ve kept it pretty damp, but never had an issue with mold with my previous tortoise and his coco coir substrate… I know it’s not food rotting or...

I switched out the bulb, and this one seems to be working better. Still pretty close to the substrate, but not 7 inches. Although I’m glad to hear that distance is okay if necessary. I’m checking with a digital thermometer and temp gun.

Yes, it has been on for several hours and I’m still only getting a hot spot of 95 if I keep it 7 inches away. I wonder if it’s a faulty bulb? I have extras- maybe I’ll swap it out and see if there’s a difference… We keep our house around 75° fwiw, so it’s not like my house is freezing either…

I have a Russian hatchling arriving this week, so I’m trying to get my temps figured out asap. I have a 65 watt incandescent flood bulb (Sylvania BR30) but it’s only getting hot enough directly under the bulb (over 95°) if I have it like 7 inches away from the substrate. Is this too close? I...

Thank you both for your responses! I just purchased some hand warmers and I will get him acclimated to his travel bin.

I am moving from California to Florida. We will be taking a 4-day road trip to get there, and my 5-year old Russian tortoise will be coming with! When I originally moved to California, I shipped Nelson overnight, hopped on a plane, and was there when he was delivered the following morning...

I might have to try this for my Russian...he doesn't seem to like Mazuri, but he is underweight and I would like to give it to him occasionally to help him gain a bit of weight!

Eeee SO ADORABLE!!! I love little ducklings :)