FoggyStreets
New Member
For my next project for my new russian tortoise I want to build her a better enclosure.
Generally speaking, I feel like indoors is the better option for me. I live in northern NJ. The weather has been so random lately and for the majority of the year I feel like it's not what I'd consider 'warm'. I'm not sure which temperatures they can tolerate, though. What are your thoughts? Is it impossible to make a suitable indoor enclosure?
For lighting, I'm working off of this care sheet: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-best-way-to-raise-any-temperate-species-of-tortoise.183131/ I'm going to get a thermometer tomorrow so I can be sure that it's good for her and fits these specifications. She has one of those expensive UV tubes from the petstore right now that her old owner gave to me, but I've read that's not suitable so it's only temporary. I've been taking her outside every couple of days in a temporary small enclosure (flimsy wooden thing old owner gave me, probably also from a petstore, not that much space) and sitting with her for a few hours while I work, so hopefully this is okay for now until I get UV. I've noticed they're kind of expensive (this is okay, I'm up for spending on what she needs) so if you guys have direct links to HO UV lights that are suitable for her that you use I would love that resource.
Decor is where I'm a bit stumped. Her enclosure is very unadorned right now. She has a terracotta dish (I got it from Home Depot) for soaking, a smaller terracotta dish where I put her food, and a wood half-log (I don't like this log...it's big and kind of ugly and the actual opening is so low so she never goes inside it...I got it from her old owner). I sometimes see her climbing around on it so I left it in there for her to explore if she likes. I have an upside-down tub that I cut into for her humid box thing, and I mist the substrate there. She goes in there sometimes.
As I grow more plants (I have broadleaf testudo mix from tortoisesupply on its way) I plan to move those in there as well for her to snack on. Is there anything else I should add? A basking rock or something? Oh, I have cuttlebone on the way too.
For substrate, I have entirely coco coir right now. Is that okay? Should I be mixing different types? Do I need to mist it? I've been misting under her hide box but nowhere else right now.
I want to build a proper temporary outdoor enclosure too soon but I want to start with this. I don't mind putting a lot of effort in and making it on the larger side. I have an empty room I'm not using for anything in particular and I think I'm making it her room. I don't have the dimensions of it right now but if I make it take up most of the room it should give her a lot of space to walk around and do her thing. If someone knows their recommended size for an indoor russian enclosure, I'd love suggestions.
Also, while I'm here, would like to add that I've been picking weeds from my yard that are safe for her and I've been feeding them to her. I've never used any pesticides or anything (I never actually gave my yard much thought until now...it's an absolute mess. Tortoise heaven though...?) so I can ensure that they probably won't be treated by that. I've just been washing them off and putting them in her enclosure. Is there something more I should do to clean them or should a rinse suffice?
Sorry that this is a lot of information. I wanted to be thorough so you knew what you were working with. Would love links to resources if possible! Thanks!
Generally speaking, I feel like indoors is the better option for me. I live in northern NJ. The weather has been so random lately and for the majority of the year I feel like it's not what I'd consider 'warm'. I'm not sure which temperatures they can tolerate, though. What are your thoughts? Is it impossible to make a suitable indoor enclosure?
For lighting, I'm working off of this care sheet: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-best-way-to-raise-any-temperate-species-of-tortoise.183131/ I'm going to get a thermometer tomorrow so I can be sure that it's good for her and fits these specifications. She has one of those expensive UV tubes from the petstore right now that her old owner gave to me, but I've read that's not suitable so it's only temporary. I've been taking her outside every couple of days in a temporary small enclosure (flimsy wooden thing old owner gave me, probably also from a petstore, not that much space) and sitting with her for a few hours while I work, so hopefully this is okay for now until I get UV. I've noticed they're kind of expensive (this is okay, I'm up for spending on what she needs) so if you guys have direct links to HO UV lights that are suitable for her that you use I would love that resource.
Decor is where I'm a bit stumped. Her enclosure is very unadorned right now. She has a terracotta dish (I got it from Home Depot) for soaking, a smaller terracotta dish where I put her food, and a wood half-log (I don't like this log...it's big and kind of ugly and the actual opening is so low so she never goes inside it...I got it from her old owner). I sometimes see her climbing around on it so I left it in there for her to explore if she likes. I have an upside-down tub that I cut into for her humid box thing, and I mist the substrate there. She goes in there sometimes.
As I grow more plants (I have broadleaf testudo mix from tortoisesupply on its way) I plan to move those in there as well for her to snack on. Is there anything else I should add? A basking rock or something? Oh, I have cuttlebone on the way too.
For substrate, I have entirely coco coir right now. Is that okay? Should I be mixing different types? Do I need to mist it? I've been misting under her hide box but nowhere else right now.
I want to build a proper temporary outdoor enclosure too soon but I want to start with this. I don't mind putting a lot of effort in and making it on the larger side. I have an empty room I'm not using for anything in particular and I think I'm making it her room. I don't have the dimensions of it right now but if I make it take up most of the room it should give her a lot of space to walk around and do her thing. If someone knows their recommended size for an indoor russian enclosure, I'd love suggestions.
Also, while I'm here, would like to add that I've been picking weeds from my yard that are safe for her and I've been feeding them to her. I've never used any pesticides or anything (I never actually gave my yard much thought until now...it's an absolute mess. Tortoise heaven though...?) so I can ensure that they probably won't be treated by that. I've just been washing them off and putting them in her enclosure. Is there something more I should do to clean them or should a rinse suffice?
Sorry that this is a lot of information. I wanted to be thorough so you knew what you were working with. Would love links to resources if possible! Thanks!
