Recent content by Dorothy L

Ohh, ok. Gotcha. Sorry, didn’t mean to be a busybody, just I sort of instinctively caught the word sand, read the rest, and was just like ‘Hmm... what if they’re using too much sand??! Not good, not good!”:p

Um... I just want to say that sand is not a good choice for substrate. Judging by the information I’ve found on the forum, I’ve heard sand is too dry, irritates tortoises eyes, etc. However, if it’s mixed with soil I’m not sure what’s wrong... I think @Tom or @Yvonne G would know.

What kind of substrate are you using? It looks pretty dry, please correct me if I’m wrong. If you’re using the wrong type of substrate, you can change to coco coir, orchid bark, and if you really can’t get either of those, topsoil also works, just make sure it doesn’t have any fertilizer or...

What are the temperatures in your enclosure? There should be 4 temps: cool side (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit), middle (about 80 degrees Fahrenheit), the warm side with the basking lamp (about 95 degrees Fahrenheit), and the night temp, which I’ve heard can go around 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit...

Which substrate do you guys think would be better, coconut coir or orchid bark? I’m getting a baby, not an adult, so answer directed to babies, not adults, please. I just can’t decide which to use, and it’s giving me FITS! Or do you suggest I just use a mixture of both?

KayAlfGeo, I'd just like to mention that my room temperature is actually very close to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, it's about 83, give or take. :p

What do you do when you go on a vacation and can't take your tortoise? I'm not going on a vacation, but I'm just planning ahead. Do you have someone to care for it? Do you simply take it with you, and if so, how? I'm asking about both longer (1-3 weeks) and shorter (1-3 days) vacations. Please...

Thank you! I also forgot to mention, does anyone have an easy (and preferably cheap) way to make a top for the enclosure to keep in humidity and heat?

So, I’m getting a Russian tort in early November, I have most of the care down, but there are things I’m unsure of so I need to ask. 1. What substrate should I use that would be best for the Russian tort? 2. What is the ideal humidity level for a smooth shell and fast growth? 3. What should...

So, as I will be getting a tortoise, i would like to prepare the enclosure before the tortoise arrives. As I will be getting a baby, I need to keep the humidity, to make sure that it grows quickly with a smooth shell (At least that's what I've gotten from my research). Therefore, I need to learn...

Thank you, sorry about this post, I was just so sure you would say no to my request, and the speed the tortoises were going, I wasn't sure there would be time to get one. How old are the tortoises by the way, and how big?

Hi, all, I’d like a Russian tortoise, preferably a baby one. I live in Texas, so if someone here lives in Texas and is willing to sell a baby Russian tortoise that would be great. I guess I’d be alright with an adult, but I really want a baby. If someone can sell me one that isn’t in Texas...

It's not rent. We bought the house years ago, it's completely ours, it's just my mother is still here and we don't want to dig just in case we have to sell the house.

So, I don't have much backyard space (I'm forbidden from digging anyway) and there are some predators outside that I don't trust. Don't worry, I'll take the tortoise out for hours a day, I think it'll get enough sunshine. Can you please tell me what all of you used to keep your tortoise(s)...

Hi, my name is Dorothy, I'm from Houston, Texas. I really want a Russian Tortoise, and am probably going to buy my own from this site. I'm still a student, but I have plenty of time to care for it. I'm rather introverted, and allergic to most pets, so tortoises are a good choice for me. I've...