teenagemutantninjatortoise
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2014
- Messages
- 7
I am currently saving funds for a Russian tortoise and had a few questions to make sure I can make the best home for him. I've been researching but cannot find set answers for my questions. I have plans to build a tortoise table out of wood (my dad is amazing at building things similar to the table) and maybe line the bottom piece of plywood with plexiglass. Would this be better for cleaning and preventing rotting of the wood? For cleaning I've heard if you spot clean you can keep the same substrate for up to a year but that sounds crazy also it would same a bunch of money! Also I was thinking for substrate I could use some type of topsoil sand mixture but I've heard it could be an irritant so maybe coco coir would be the way to go? Also looking into heat lamps and UVB; I am trying to decide between a bulb with heat and UVB or two different bulbs. To keep the humidity at a good percentage should I ever spray the substrate to keep it moist or leave it as is (my room is around 30% humidity by itself). I have also heard about keeping Timothy hay in my hide box but I've also heard that it could also be an irritant so I'm not sure but I want to provide something to burrow in. For food for my little buddy I was planning on planting some dandelions and broadleaf testudo but I can't base his diet off of that and need to provide other options. For other kinds of tortoises I've heard collards, turnip greens, etc. impact their calcium intake but is this the same for Russians? Speaking of calcium should I dust greens with calcium powder for reptiles before feeding or is that not needed? If so how much to I need to like every meal or once a week? Also going with food how many times should I feed and how much, and after a certain amount of time do you have to take the food out to limit eating? For soaking tortoises should I do it everyday or once a week? And also I was looking into options for natural sunlight to keep him healthy and happy and was thinking about taking him for 'walks', is this a good idea to take him out at such a young age (hatchling) or will it be good for him? This is all I have to ask and I hope you guys can help me out!!