Hi folks,
Apologies for the long post, would appreciate any advice from more experienced Russian owners.
I've spent the last month or so reading through as much of the information in these forums as I possibly can, as well as watching YouTube videos and browsing other websites and forums. I've found there to be a lot of conflicting information dependant on where you look but have found the information posted by more experienced members of this forum to be the most valuable.
I purchased a Russian from a local pet shop (UK) just less than a week ago, they tell me he is around 2.5 years old, he weighs 94g's and appears to be happy enough. Based on what I've read on this forum the pet shop gave me pretty sound advice.
I've set him up in a 2ft Vivarium with plans to transfer him to a table/larger vivarium once he's closer to full size. I'm using a substrate mixture of Coco coir and orchid bark and have a UVB and heat lamp set up (photo attached will show what I have better than I can describe). His bulbs are set to a smart plug that's on a 12 hour timer 8:00 - 20:00. Temps seem to drop to around 20 degrees during the night and they sit (on the heated side) at around 31 degrees. (I'm waiting on delivery of a hygrometer/thermometer so I can try and regulate the cooler side of the viv more effectively).
I've been feeding him a mixture of rocket, a smaller amount of kale, a few dandelion pellets and shaving some carrot (carrots every few days). I also sprinkle calcium powder on his food every other day. I've began growing my own dandelions and pansies, they're on the way but conditions in the UK aren't ideal at the moment.
I've been letting him have a wonder round the spare room daily for around 15 minutes for exercise and bathing him every other day In lukewarm water for around 15 mins, he seems to take this as his opportunity to do his business, which is good I believe.
I'd really appreciate any advice on my initial set up so I can be sure I'm giving him the best home possible and allow him to grow into a healthy adult.
Thanks for reading!
Luke
Apologies for the long post, would appreciate any advice from more experienced Russian owners.
I've spent the last month or so reading through as much of the information in these forums as I possibly can, as well as watching YouTube videos and browsing other websites and forums. I've found there to be a lot of conflicting information dependant on where you look but have found the information posted by more experienced members of this forum to be the most valuable.
I purchased a Russian from a local pet shop (UK) just less than a week ago, they tell me he is around 2.5 years old, he weighs 94g's and appears to be happy enough. Based on what I've read on this forum the pet shop gave me pretty sound advice.
I've set him up in a 2ft Vivarium with plans to transfer him to a table/larger vivarium once he's closer to full size. I'm using a substrate mixture of Coco coir and orchid bark and have a UVB and heat lamp set up (photo attached will show what I have better than I can describe). His bulbs are set to a smart plug that's on a 12 hour timer 8:00 - 20:00. Temps seem to drop to around 20 degrees during the night and they sit (on the heated side) at around 31 degrees. (I'm waiting on delivery of a hygrometer/thermometer so I can try and regulate the cooler side of the viv more effectively).
I've been feeding him a mixture of rocket, a smaller amount of kale, a few dandelion pellets and shaving some carrot (carrots every few days). I also sprinkle calcium powder on his food every other day. I've began growing my own dandelions and pansies, they're on the way but conditions in the UK aren't ideal at the moment.
I've been letting him have a wonder round the spare room daily for around 15 minutes for exercise and bathing him every other day In lukewarm water for around 15 mins, he seems to take this as his opportunity to do his business, which is good I believe.
I'd really appreciate any advice on my initial set up so I can be sure I'm giving him the best home possible and allow him to grow into a healthy adult.
Thanks for reading!
Luke