Going away for a week

[billytortoise]

Hello everyone, I have a question.

I am going away for a week. Is there anyway to do this without bringing my tortoise with me? I can get the lights rigged, I just don't know how to do the food.

If anyone has any hints or suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much.

Billy

 

[Tom]

Hi Billy. Welcome to the forum. If your lights are on a timer, I'd just get someone to come over and drop a handful of greens in there every other day or so. I'd also give him a good warm water soak just before you leave and right when you get home, so you can pull out the water dish in your absence. That way he doesn't foul it and then drink from it three days later. A russian should be fine with out a water dish for a week.

Alternatively, would it be too hard to move him over to a friend or family members house for the week? If you take his whole enclosure, it shouldn't be too stressful for him.

 

[bettinge]

I find Escrole to be the best green leaf lettuce when it comes to leaving for a few days. It holds up well without rotting into a mash. When it wilts and dries out, the torts will still eat it.

I leave it attached to the stalk for maximum freshness. I find some torts also knaw on the stalk, I assume its an attempt for more fiber.

 

[Jacqui]

It's always best, if you can have somebody come over to give a quick check. So many unexpected and dangerous things can happen (but rarely do). Lights short out, burn out, fall down, tortoises get stuck on their backs, ect.,

You didn't say how old your tortoise is. If it is an adult, you do realize it could be perfectly fine without food for a week. Just feed it well before you go and if you wanted to leave it a couple of whole leaves. Leaving the food, would be more for us humans sense of being caring keepers then for the adult tortoise actual "have to have" needs. Also most captive Russians usually have a little extra weight on them, since they get quality food and lots of it each and every day.

I worry about leaving lights on. I would turn off all his lights. Pretend it's out in it's natural home and this week is full of nothing but overcast skies with no sunshine. It won't hurt him to not have lights for a week. What temp is your house set at? Just leave the house setting where it is in the low range of Russian temps and he will be fine. They can handle a little of the cool temps with no problems.

Unless your dealing with a hatchling, a sick tortoise, one not eating well, or one who just came out of hibernation, that is what I would do.

 

[Weloveourtortoise]

Kale is good too for long periods-- it stays fresh for a couple of days and dries out instead of mushing.

 

[billytortoise]

It's always best, if you can have somebody come over to give a quick check. So many unexpected and dangerous things can happen (but rarely do). Lights short out, burn out, fall down, tortoises get stuck on their backs, ect.,

You didn't say how old your tortoise is. If it is an adult, you do realize it could be perfectly fine without food for a week. Just feed it well before you go and if you wanted to leave it a couple of whole leaves. Leaving the food, would be more for us humans sense of being caring keepers then for the adult tortoise actual "have to have" needs. Also most captive Russians usually have a little extra weight on them, since they get quality food and lots of it each and every day.

I worry about leaving lights on. I would turn off all his lights. Pretend it's out in it's natural home and this week is full of nothing but overcast skies with no sunshine. It won't hurt him to not have lights for a week. What temp is your house set at? Just leave the house setting where it is in the low range of Russian temps and he will be fine. They can handle a little of the cool temps with no problems.

Unless your dealing with a hatchling, a sick tortoise, one not eating well, or one who just came out of hibernation, that is what I would do.

Sadly, I don't know anyone where I live, otherwise I wouldn't be too worried about it.

I think hes an adult. Hes been well taken care of and is always fed daily, so he is healthy.

I think my place is usually around the mid seventies.

I'll tkae your advice, as well as the others. Thank you so much, you made me feel a lot better about this

 

[Jacqui]

Enjoy your trip!

 

[goodsmeagol]

Collards also hold up.

I am going away too for 4 days next week.
I have a live cam on my cages, and some one to call in an emergency.
I am going to leave an entire stalk of collards in the cage and bathe him before I go.
if you have a webcam, theres a program (www.eyespyfx.com)
It is a free application and you can stream live to the internet, so if you have access you can check on your guy.
Good luck