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I used a queen sized bed frame for my Russian’s enclosure. This is an old photo and the light situation is much improved now as well as lots of plants now but you get the idea

Too much cucumber will give him diarrhea. It’s ok as an occasional treat. I’d also stop feeding him dock. It’s not poisonous but could cause problems if he eats it often even as a treat. Russian torts aren’t grass eaters so he isn’t likely to go for the dry grass. Tom has a great list of...

Yep he’s a Russian. Another in a long list of escapees! He can be outside as long as it’s sunny and at least 70 degrees. Provide shade. Definitely keep him separate from your boxie. Feed him weeds and greens. No fruit. I’m sure he needs a nice long soak. There’s a great Russian caresheet here...

I think he’ll be fine. They eat all kinds of weird things. Just soak a lot to help him pass it. The waterer doesn’t look very functional for a tortoise though. It’ll be awkward for him to drink from it and he can’t soak himself in it which is important. A terra-cotta plant saucer would be a...

It is normal for hatchlings to hide a lot. Also depending on how long ago you got him he maybe hiding because he’s just getting adjusted to his new territory. Another possibility is that it’s not bright enough or warm enough. What are the temperatures in the enclosure? Do you have a uvb light...

Hi Tom Thanks for your reply. His indoor enclosure is 5.5x6.5ft. Outdoor enclosure is 6x50ft. He is outside about half the time right now on sunny days over 70 degrees. He eats weeds. Plantain, dandelion and other chicories, cats ear, nipplewort, clover, sow thistle. Mazuri once a week at most...

I thought about that but he weighs right in the middle of what he always weighs. In the last year he has fluctuated from 437 to 448. He is 443 right now. He’s also eating slightly less than his average which is normal this time of year for him. He usually starts eating a lot in mid summer...

The quality isn't great but you can see the area in question and it's not puffy.

You can see it a bit here. It’s more if he is on the ground with legs near his body but he won’t cooperate for a good photo.

My Russian, Diego has been looking slightly puffy around his front arms and neck for a couple weeks now. It’s slight so I’ve just been waiting and watching. Not much change. It’s possible it’s mostly in my head but I don’t think so. So my question is this ; when swelling occurs due to kidney...

I love this video! So fun and funny.

This is something I really needed to read a couple years ago when I got my first tortoise. I finally figured it out but it would have been nice to read this back then. This is definitely not obvious to everyone.

Oh yeah, it does look like a globe thistle! Something new to feed. How nice! Thanks Rosemary.

Anyone know what this is? My plant app says aster, daisy, sunflower family but I don't think that's true.

I’ve read here many times that Russian tortoises should have a drop in temperature over night and I’ve always had a 10-15 degree drop for my 2 boys but I’ve never heard an explanation as to why. I’m curious now because I just got 4 baby chicks (so so cute) and it seemed logical to put the...

I’ve never dealt with shell rot but from what I’ve read here it’s easy to treat with cream for athlete’s foot. I think it usually looks like a spot where the shell is flaky and mushy and you can scrape it away with your finger nail. It happens when the tort is kept on substrate that is too wet...

I did the same switch that you did and also noticed that my torts dug less so then I started using fir mulch in half of the enclosure just to compare. They both dig in the mulch more and it looks nice and isn’t as messy as the coco coir. Orchid bark is made of fir also but the mulch is just...

Welcome to the forum! Kali is just too cute munching on those pretty flowers!

It could be the first sign of a respiratory infection. Best thing to do is check your temps and bump them up a little both day and night. Give him extra soaks and make sure the water stays warm. Keeping him warm and hydrated will help him fight the infection if that’s what it is. Watch for runny...

If he’s sleeping in the open he must feel very comfortable and unafraid. Sometimes my adult Russians sleep like that. Seems like a baby would be more cautious but i guess you’ve done a great job of making him feel at ease!