A few questions

[jade_woods]

Hey, in a week or so I'm getting a Russian tortoise and I've done a lot of research but there are still a few things I can't seem to find . Such as - As I am getting a baby tortoise do I keep it in the vivaria or a tortoise table ? What should I do with my tortoise when I go on vacations ? If I feed every day how often do I put calcium on its food ? And finally if there is a water bowl in its enclosure do I still have to bath it and if so how often ??
Hope someone can answer my questions!!

 

[jade_woods]

Hi , I was just wondering a few things, does my Russian tortoise have to hibernate? and can I make it an indoor tortoise all your round but take it out for 15 minutes - 1hour a day in the summer ?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Hello and welcome.
I don't know enough about Russian care to offer much help.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Jade, and welcome to the Forum!

Something tells me you didn't read our care sheets for Russian tortoises. They're pinned at the top of the Russian section here on the Forum. After you've read the care sheets, if you still have questions, we're happy to help you.

 

[jade_woods]

Hi Jade, and welcome to the Forum!

Something tells me you didn't read our care sheets for Russian tortoises. They're pinned at the top of the Russian section here on the Forum. After you've read the care sheets, if you still have questions, we're happy to help you.

I've read it, I've read most care sheets I can find but I'm still unsure on my questions .

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

I've read it, I've read most care sheets I can find but I'm still unsure on my questions .

I'm sorry but my torts are like my children ! So maybe I'm not the one to ask . I only have 9 Russian torts and many other torts !
View attachment 204477
It sounds like you want to do the least you can for the torts . When I go away I pay some one to care for them cause they are my children . And cause I give my children drinking water I would still make them bath ! And there is no reason to hibernate any tort if you don't want to .

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

 

[jade_woods]

I'm sorry but my torts are like my children ! So maybe I'm not the one to ask . I only have 9 Russian torts and many other torts !
View attachment 204477
It sounds like you want to do the least you can for the torts . When I go away I pay some one to care for them cause they are my children . And cause I give my children drinking water I would still make them bath ! And there is no reason to hibernate any tort if you don't want to .
View attachment 204478

Thanks how often do I put calcium on her food and is a tortoise table safe for a baby tortoise ??

 

[RosemaryDW]

Jade, I'm sorry to ask again but did you read the care sheet on baby Russians: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/. There are some ideas and instructions for putting together an inexpensive viviarium, which is the preferred housing for babies.

It also provides guidance for supplementation of minerals and calcium.

I'm wondering if you were reading the care sheet for adult Russians, perhaps? That's when the move to a table is encouraged.

 

[Tom]

Hey, in a week or so I'm getting a Russian tortoise and I've done a lot of research but there are still a few things I can't seem to find . Such as - As I am getting a baby tortoise do I keep it in the vivaria or a tortoise table ? What should I do with my tortoise when I go on vacations ? If I feed every day how often do I put calcium on its food ? And finally if there is a water bowl in its enclosure do I still have to bath it and if so how often ??
Hope someone can answer my questions!!

If you can maintain the correct humidity and temperatures, then a table is fine. Most people can't do that in a normal house, so a closed chamber is better.

You will need to have someone come over once a day to feed and water your tortoise when you go on vacation. Lights should be on timers and additional heat, if needed, should be controlled by a thermostat.

A tiny pinch of calcium twice a week is all that is needed. Also leave a cuttle bone in the enclosure so the tortoise can munch on it if it wants to.

Babies should be soaked daily. Once they pass 100 grams, you can start skipping days here and there.

 

[Tom]

Hi , I was just wondering a few things, does my Russian tortoise have to hibernate? and can I make it an indoor tortoise all your round but take it out for 15 minutes - 1hour a day in the summer ?

It does not have to hibernate, but in most cases I think they should hibernate.

If you have a safe enclosure outside, why not leave it for more than 15-60 minutes during nice weather? You can do it this way, but you will need to use the correct indoor UV. Cfl type bulbs should not be used.

 

[Tom]

Thanks how often do I put calcium on her food and is a tortoise table safe for a baby tortoise ??

A tiny pinch twice a week for the calcium.

A tortoise table can work if the room is relatively warm and humid all the time. In a normal room in a normal house, you will have a tough time maintaining the correct temperature and humidity in an open topped enclosure.

 

[jade_woods]

It does not have to hibernate, but in most cases I think they should hibernate.

If you have a safe enclosure outside, why not leave it for more than 15-60 minutes during nice weather? You can do it this way, but you will need to use the correct indoor UV. Cfl type bulbs should not be used.

As I have a dog I don't thinks it's safe to leave her in an outside enclosure for 1h a day but would it still be okay if I sat outside with her for an hour a day ? Also can I keep her in a vivaria for her first year then change to a table ?

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

 

[Tom]

As I have a dog I don't thinks it's safe to leave her in an outside enclosure for 1h a day but would it still be okay if I sat outside with her for an hour a day ? Also can I keep her in a vivaria for her first year then change to a table ?

Make an enclosure that is safe. Meaning the dog can't get into it. Most of us have dogs too.

It would be great if you sat outside with her, but she still needs to be in a safe, escape proof enclosure.

Here are some ideas:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/cheap-easy-simple-sunning-enclosure.14680/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/simple-sunning-enclosure.104351/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...table-but-safe-outdoor-baby-enclosures.30683/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/outdoor-enclosures.121732/

If indoors just works better for your situation, then use a large closed chamber and proper UV bulbs. A table will be fine when the tortoise is mostly grown.

 

[jade_woods]

Make an enclosure that is safe. Meaning the dog can't get into it. Most of us have dogs too.

It would be great if you sat outside with her, but she still needs to be in a safe, escape proof enclosure.

Here are some ideas:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/cheap-easy-simple-sunning-enclosure.14680/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/simple-sunning-enclosure.104351/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...table-but-safe-outdoor-baby-enclosures.30683/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/outdoor-enclosures.121732/

If indoors just works better for your situation, then use a large closed chamber and proper UV bulbs. A table will be fine when the tortoise is mostly grown.

Yeah she's going to be an indoor tortoise but I'm still gonna take her out to get sunlight in the summer