Russian tortoise enclosure

This is my RT enclosure for Thor the tortoise a male russian tortoise. He had a rock basking area with a 100 watt heat bulb, 2 UVB lamps in the cool side a large water bowl and a tile for food he has a half log hide and a rock pile. Comment what you think

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It is 4x2 made of wood with a plywood bottom

Looks nice. Just a couple things. Are you using the coil bulbs? The one light that is on a slant looks like a coil bulb. Those are known to cause eye problems. I would teach those right away and get the fluorescent tube kind. Also, when you can, it would be nice to make it bigger. Russians are known to travel far. That size for an adult is a bit too small. If this is just a winter home and he lives outside in the summer, then that not bad. Also, they are great climbers. Do you have something next to the log hide so he can't get out, I couldn't tell.

Thanks I will do the lights right away as I have been trying to decide whether or not to change them. This is his winter home as he lives outside normally. This is my first year with Thor so I'm kinda new to the tortoise world. His outdoor enclosure is 4x5. Would you recommend hibernating Thor in the future?

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I do have a little DIY top for that side near the hide

Hi justino4444:

Welcome to the Forum!!

It's a nice enclosure. I would have said what Wellington said. I think your clothespin fence at the one end was pretty inventive. Obviously, this is the spot where the tortoise wants to try to climb out, huh? You might give him another hiding place so he has a choice. Also, have you measured the temperatures all over the whole habitat? It seems like it might be a little cool.

Thanks for sharing your pictures. Nice-looking tortoise.

I think:

Its too small.
The sides are way too low. He could climb right out of there anytime he wants.
Its too dry.
Those water bowls are literally tortoise death traps. A terra cotta plant saucer sunk into the substrate will be safer and better.
I'd like to see a humid hide on the warm side.

I don't intend to sound harsh. Just short and "to the point" with ideas for improvement.

Nice job! I really enjoy looking at other people's enclosures. They are so inspirational. You may want to saw some seeds in there from plants they can eat. It will help keep the humidity up, make the tank look prettier and the torts love grazing on the fresh plants/grasses.

I think Walter my russian and Thor must live in the same subdivision. I swear their habitats are identical! My walls are a couple if inches taller and it's 41/2x41/2. Even though we are amazing architects I guess we both have some work to do :-/

Thank you all for the suggestions and I will try as hard as possible to make those improvements

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Tom,
This is my winter enclosure as Thor usually lives outdoor in my back yard with all of the things you recommended this enclosure was just a quick throw together but I will try to improve his indoor enclosure as well as I can

Good luck to you then.

Its really easy to get a 4x8' sheet of plywood, and 3 8' 2x12s. Then just stand the 2x12 up and screw them to the outer edges of the plywood. Instant large tortoise table to get you through the winter.

Like the design

Tom,
Brilliant idea! Maybe next year I will do that if I can get the money (from my mom) would you recommend hibernation for Thor or not as I'm unsure about it

justino4444 said:

Tom,
Brilliant idea! Maybe next year I will do that if I can get the money (from my mom) would you recommend hibernation for Thor or not as I'm unsure about it

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This is a total judgement call. They hibernate in the wild and some feel it is essential and natural to duplicate this in captivity. Others have been keeping them up all winter for decades, see no ill effect, and think it is risky to artificially hibernate them.

I prefer to hibernate the temperate species, but I have no problem with people who choose not to. It can be dangerous if not done correctly. Done correctly, it works fine and I think its "more" natural for these species to have this annual down time. I am not hibernating the russian babies I just got this year, but if all goes well I will likely hibernate them next winter.

Ok thanks

I'm also not clear on the issue. How does it work? Don't they need the UVB, water etc? Walter has sort of gone into a sort of mini version in his own but how do I let him go full blown hibernation?

Hello people
From what I've read and I do is if your plan is to breed them then you should
Hibernate them but if you haven't had
Them a year or not breeding them . Then don't hibernate them . But it up to you

Interesting. Where does breeding come in?

AlishaT said:

I'm also not clear on the issue. How does it work? Don't they need the UVB, water etc? Walter has sort of gone into a sort of mini version in his own but how do I let him go full blown hibernation?

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If you are going to hibernate, there is a process to get them ready, hydrated and get their gut empty. If they go dormant and stop eating at room temp, they will burn through their fat reserves much too quickly. If you are going to hibernate them, it must be done properly and at the right temps.

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AlishaT said:

Interesting. Where does breeding come in?

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Some keepers say that they breed better and you get more offspring if they are hibernated. Others say they breed and reproduce just fine with out hibernating.

It looks like there won't be any long sleep for Walter. I'm not sure what to do though because of his large 4 1/2x4 1/2 digs it's getting hard to keep him warm enough. In summer this wasn't an issue at all. Should I put him in a terrarium that is small but warm? I know it's not ideal but I can't just build a huge closed habitat right now. What should ? Walter is becoming very introverted and not at all himself. I'm sure he just isn't warm enough.

Measure your temps with a temp gun to make sure. If temps aren't right, then do what is needed (add a CHE on a thermostat, etc.), to correct them. Don't put him in a smaller enclosure.
If you're going to keep a tortoise up over the winter (and many do!), then you will have to work hard to get the conditions right.
It will pay off in the end with a happier tortoise.

For your Russian tortoise the overall temperature does not need to be very warm. But the basking spot should be about 95 degrees. For the cool end the daytime temperature should be about 70 degrees. At night they do well with temperature drops into the 65 degree range.

Your warm basking spot should be several feet away from your cool end to allow your tortoise the ability to move around to seek his ideal temperature. Mine will bask for a while, then eat, then bask and finally pick a corner about a foot away from the basking spot for his nap. Then wake up to roam around looking for more food or any thing new that I may have added.

They are very curious.

Try this. Have your tortoise facing a spot in the enclosure; then, using a plastic tool, dig a hole in the substrate. If he's like mine, he will be in the hole checking things out before you can finish digging.

Good luck.