Okay first things first. I don't have a Russian Tortoise, or any sort of tortoise so don't worry about a tortoise being neglected by me or anything XD I don't even know if I will ever get a tortoise, but I like planning things, and I have had my eyes on a female Russian Tortoise that my teacher is giving away. So far I have a 4' X 5' table in mind. I just have a few questions that I hope you guys can answer.
1. First thing that comes to mind: When should I take my (non-existent ) Tortoise to the vet. Should it be when I first get it, and after that take it when it looks like it could be sick. Or yearly, etc...
2. Trimming nails and the beak. Should I have anything in the enclosure that naturally files them down, and just look out to see if the beak or nails get to long? What would I use to file them if/when they get too long?
3. Plants in the enclosure. What plants can I have growing that are safe for the tortoise? I've looked at what is edible, and what's not, but I would like some suggestions. I really like the look of plants, but where I would like to keep the tortoise gets low light, but I figure the light in the tortoise enclosure will take some care of that. I was also thinking of starting my own mini tortoise food garden and just pick a few leaves for the tortoise to eat everyday.
4. What's your favorite substrate/mixture of substrates?
5. How tall should the sides be to keep the tortoise from escaping. I would hate to come home to a tortoise roaming around, or worse.
6. Around how much do you spend on your tortoise per month or year? I would hate to start everything, then figure out half-way through I have no money left, and then have a hungry tortoise on my hands.
I think that's it. I'm a little leery of having a light that hot turned on when I'm not home, but I keep forgetting I had a light for my bearded dragon and it never burned the house down. Any suggestions would be appreciated even if I don't have a question on it.
P.S. I am planning a kiddie pool outdoor enclosure for the nice and warm days. I already looked at the thread posted on that, but yet again, suggestions are loved.
1. First thing that comes to mind: When should I take my (non-existent ) Tortoise to the vet. Should it be when I first get it, and after that take it when it looks like it could be sick. Or yearly, etc...
2. Trimming nails and the beak. Should I have anything in the enclosure that naturally files them down, and just look out to see if the beak or nails get to long? What would I use to file them if/when they get too long?
3. Plants in the enclosure. What plants can I have growing that are safe for the tortoise? I've looked at what is edible, and what's not, but I would like some suggestions. I really like the look of plants, but where I would like to keep the tortoise gets low light, but I figure the light in the tortoise enclosure will take some care of that. I was also thinking of starting my own mini tortoise food garden and just pick a few leaves for the tortoise to eat everyday.
4. What's your favorite substrate/mixture of substrates?
5. How tall should the sides be to keep the tortoise from escaping. I would hate to come home to a tortoise roaming around, or worse.
6. Around how much do you spend on your tortoise per month or year? I would hate to start everything, then figure out half-way through I have no money left, and then have a hungry tortoise on my hands.
I think that's it. I'm a little leery of having a light that hot turned on when I'm not home, but I keep forgetting I had a light for my bearded dragon and it never burned the house down. Any suggestions would be appreciated even if I don't have a question on it.
P.S. I am planning a kiddie pool outdoor enclosure for the nice and warm days. I already looked at the thread posted on that, but yet again, suggestions are loved.