Guidance Needed Please

[Lemons]

I need some guidance - I have had my Russian Tortoise for just under a year. He's gained a lot of weight and seems to be busting out of his shell. His shell is growing though I think. I believe we were giving him unhealthy food - zucchini, carrots, broccoli and lettuces. I've cut out the veggies and now he's eating lettuces. Ok - so my questions are:

1) What's an easy habitat I can build or buy for him. I'm embarrassed to say he's in the glass tank the pet store sold me. I want to get him out ASAP.

2) what's a good substrate? I'm using Zoo Med Repti Bark.

3) How do you keep substrate clean?

4) How much out of tank exercise is healthy for him?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[Robertchrisroph]

Welcome. And the pros will be on soon to help you. This is a wonderful place. Glad your here.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

welcome!!!i russian needs at least a 4 by 8 enclosure they can live out side but that matters where u live. i use normal dirt as my substrate . because they live outside. this is there enclosure.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

tortoises should never eat just lettuces try feeding them a variety of weeds and grasses. they especially love dandy lions.

 

[Tyanna]

4 x 8 is a great size and you can find some awesome set ups that other members have built around the forum. I am currently working on an "L" shaped enclosure for my Russian.

I use cypress mulch (from pet store) for my substrate. It holds humidity perfectly for my tortoise. Keeping it "clean" shouldn't be too hard. Keep picking the poo out and little pieces of food and you should be fine.

Feed things like dandelion greens, mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, and weeds. Never do the same thing every day in a row or whatever. Mix it up for you little guy.

What's your temps/humidity like? Can we see pictures of your tort/enclosure?!

 

[Lemons]

welcome!!!i russian needs at least a 4 by 8 enclosure they can live out side but that matters where u live. i use normal dirt as my substrate . because they live outside. this is there enclosure.View attachment 97308

I live in Virginia. Today it is 63 and raining. I think I have to keep him inside.

 

[Lemons]

tortoises should never eat just lettuces try feeding them a variety of weeds and grasses. they especially love dandy lions.

What about now that it's getting colder? What kinds of weeds?

 

[Tyanna]

What about now that it's getting colder? What kinds of weeds?

I named stuff in my post.

 

[Lemons]

4 x 8 is a great size and you can find some awesome set ups that other members have built around the forum. I am currently working on an "L" shaped enclosure for my Russian.

I use cypress mulch (from pet store) for my substrate. It holds humidity perfectly for my tortoise. Keeping it "clean" shouldn't be too hard. Keep picking the poo out and little pieces of food and you should be fine.

Feed things like dandelion greens, mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, and weeds. Never do the same thing every day in a row or whatever. Mix it up for you little guy.

What's your temps/humidity like? Can we see pictures of your tort/enclosure?!

 

[Lemons]

This first picture of Lenny is earlier this year. The other pictures were taken today. I'm worried about his shell.

 

[Tyanna]

He looks fine but those gauges aren't accurate you need something digital. What are your temps and humidity? What kind of bulb? Is it UVB too?

 

[Jabuticaba]

He looks good, but you might need to consider a substrate that holds moisture. The chunky bark doesn't do a good job of holding moisture. A secondary problem with chunky bark is that it doesn't offer very firm footing. It slides around and makes walking difficult. A good solution is straight topsoil, about 6" of it, well packed. Your tort will love it.


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[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

see how the back of the sheet is curving up? that is caused very low humidity and dry enclosure, also poor diet.

 

[leigti]

For my Russian tortoise I use a mixture of orchid bark and coconut coir for the indoor enclosure. It does hold humidity well and she can dig in it and bury herself if she wants to.please check out the Russian tortoise section of this forum for a care sheet and lots of great information. You can make a tortoise table out of a large bookshelf late on its back with the shelves removed.there is a lot of information and a lot to do but just take it one step at a time, research for a little while and don't get too overwhelmed by trying to do everything all at once.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

see how the back of the sheet is curving up? that is caused very low humidity and dry enclosure, also poor diet.

i ment shell not sheet

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

I'm glad you're trying to make it better for him! See that yellow between his scutes? He had a very rapid growth spurt in a very short amount of time, causing the bone to color incorrectly. That can be caused by the diet you mentioned, made up of lettuces.
http://russiantortoise.net/care_sheet.htm
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
Those will help you out

 

[Lemons]

I'm glad you're trying to make it better for him! See that yellow between his scutes? He had a very rapid growth spurt in a very short amount of time, causing the bone to color incorrectly. That can be caused by the diet you mentioned, made up of lettuces.
http://russiantortoise.net/care_sheet.htm
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
Those will help you out

Thanks. I was definitely worried about his shell. He mostly ate carrots, broccoli and zucchini during the first year. Just recently I've turned to different types of lettuces - endive, escarole, red leaf, collard greens and kale. Most recently I have gotten him dandelions. He loves them. Can I ask you a couple of questions - how do I keep his enclosure humid enough? do I spritz it? Also, I have had trouble finding plain organic dirt. The places I have gone have Miracle gro organic dirt or other types of plant food dirt.
Thanks so much. I really would like him to be as happy and comfortable as possible.

 

[Lemons]

He looks fine but those gauges aren't accurate you need something digital. What are your temps and humidity? What kind of bulb? Is it UVB too?

Where do I find the digital gauges and do I need more than one? I'll check the bulb.

 

[Tyanna]

Where do I find the digital gauges and do I need more than one? I'll check the bulb.

I would say two, one for each end of the enclosure. Home Depot or lowes or even Amazon have ones that check temperature and humidity. Cheap too.

 

[Lemons]

I would say two, one for each end of the enclosure. Home Depot or lowes or even Amazon have ones that check temperature and humidity. Cheap too.

Thanks!