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Hi everyone, This may be a silly question, but I don't want to risk any issues with my Russian Tortoise. I use the Zoo Med Power Sun UV 100W bulb for his indoor enclosure. I usually order bulbs and other supplies online, but with delayed shipping issues, I just picked it up at PetSmart. I...

I decided to use just coconut coir for my Russian Tortoise after reading many of the threads on this forum. I previously used about 80% coco coir and 20% sterilized sandbox sand. I've noticed that the straight coco coir stays wetter longer. Is that normal? I used to have to add water every...

Hi folks, The warm summer weather is here in Massachusetts and I'm trying to improve my Russian tortoise's outdoor enclosure. As there have been several warnings locally about large birds of prey, I wanted to make sure it was covered. I just have a few questions about using screen doors as a...

I originally posted this in the Russian Tortoise section but then thought this would be a better place. This weekend I decided it's time to get my Russian Tortoise's indoor house ready with clean substrate for the cool New England Fall weather that is quickly approaching. I usually do a mix of...

This weekend I decided it's time to get my RT's indoor house ready with clean substrate for the cool New England Fall weather that is quickly approaching. I usually do a mix of 80% topsoil with nothing added, and 20% sterile playground sand. The problem is I can't seem to find the topsoil we...

Does sphagnum moss get moldy? Should I moisten it every day? How often should I switch it out and put in new moss? This is for an indoor enclosure for a Red Foot. Thank you! :)[hr] Also... should I be concerned about insects? I bought the Mosser Lee organic sphagnum moss. I also read...

I posted a thread a little while back explaining that I would be tort sitting for a friend. I received several great tips on care sheets to read to prepare for our house guest! However, I've noticed now that the little RF's eyes are a bit weepy... like teary kind of. From what I've read, this...

Hi Everyone & Happy 4th! My friend asked me to take care of his Russian Tortoise and Red Foot Tortoise for a week while his family is away on vacation. I have an RT and I'm very comfortable with the care, diet, housing, ect. I know it's only for a week, and I'm sure he'll provide me with the...

Happy 2010! So my Pablo (Russian Tortoise) is living indoors for the winter. We live in MA. He's currently in a 3.5' by roughly 1.5' plastic tote. It's only January 1st, and he'll probably be inside for several months, and I think he needs more space. So I'm weighing two options right now...

I'm having a hard time judging how damp my Russian Tortoise's substrate should be. It's a 70/30 mix of organic top soil and play sand. I've read on other threads that people add a cup or so of water and mix up the substrate every few days. However, mine seems to dry out every day and need...

I'm so excited to finally have the walls up and the substrate down, that I just had to post pictures! :D My husband and I spent most of Labor Day (ironically!) digging up the space for Pablo's outdoor pen and stacking the cement blocks. The pen is about 6 1/2 feet by 6 1/2 feet. We burried...

I've been looking at lots of pictures and plans for outdoor enclosures, but to be honest, I'm feeling completly overwhelmed! :( I'm thinking of using cinderblocks for the boarder on three walls and use the brick foundation of my house as the 4th wall. It will probably be about 4ftX8ft for my...

Hi all! I just ordered the "Russian Tortoise Seed Mix" from the Carolina Pet Supply Company. I'd like to grow some of my own food to add to the spring mix and hibiscus I've been feeding my Russian tort. Pablo just joined our family a little less than a month ago, so we're still working on...

Okay, so I feel a little silly having to post this... but I'll put my pride aside for Pablo. :P Can anyone tell me what type of lettuce/green this is? I bought some organic spring mix and I have no idea what type of lettuce this is! I want to make sure it's okay for my Russian tortoise. I...

Both today and yesterday when I fed Pablo, he went to the bathroom WHILE eating! I enjoy watching him nibble his greens, so I watched this happen first hand both days. I also noticed that there were none of those white milky urates either day. Is that normal? I soak him 3 times a week, and...

My Russian Torotise seems to LOVE carrots! He gets all excited and comes "trotting" over if he sees I have a carrot. Many of the acceptable tortoise food lists have carrots as an "occassional" food. How often is "occassional"? Is one baby carrot every other day too much? He usually doesn't...

Me again! I'm spending a lot of time on here! LOL! I'm learning lots of good stuff though. Every day I'm finding new ways to improve Pablo's home. It really is a "work in progress"! So my next round of questions... what's the best type of "fake" plant for an indoor enclosure? Will he get...

I've heard from many people that hibiscus flowers and leaves are a safe and healthy food for Russian Torts. I'm having trouble finding hibiscus seeds though. I found a nursery that sells the plants, but not the seeds and they said that most places just sell the plants since it's a tropical...

Several people have recommended using tile as a feeding surface for my Russian Tortoise. So I went to Home Depot this afternoon and was rather overwhelmed with the selection of tiles! LOL! I found two that seem to be good, but thought I'd post a picture and ask the forum. The tile on the...

So just when I thought things were going well with Pablo's enclosure set up... we ran into a bit of a road block. :( Right now he has a mix of roughly 70% top soil, 30% play sand with a 2-3 inch layer of coconut bark (T-Rex brand coconut bark... not the brick type) on top. My husband has...