rbcurdt
New Member
Hi there!
I'm introducing myself, Regan, and our new baby Russian tortoise, Sheldon. My kids are in love with him and me even more so. He's been with us for a week.
I'm including pics of him (and yes we know that we don't actually know the sex), and his enclosure. And I have a few questions. His enclosure has coir, with a zoomed power sun 100w bulb. Humidity is mostly 60%range by maintaining the coir, higher in the hides. His cooler temps are around 75, and dip to about 70 at night. His basking spot is where I'm a little off. I've read that about 12" from substrate is approx where the powersun should be. I have the lamp about 11", but obviously the bulb is up a few inches higher. With my pocket infrared thermometer, I'm getting 95 off his shell when he is basking, but the damp coir substrate is in the 80's. Is that okay? Should I lower it?
He is sleeping a lot, but seems to wake up and wander/sleep in the afternoon. I'm hoping with adjustment time that will change or is that pretty normal for a baby?
He's not eating a ton, but pooping pretty regularly. (Dandelion green, a bit of romaine, wheatgrass, and radicchio is what he hasn't snubbed his nose at.
It was suggested I add some moss to hides, and some plants for cover in another of my post, which I plan on doing.
I'm introducing myself, Regan, and our new baby Russian tortoise, Sheldon. My kids are in love with him and me even more so. He's been with us for a week.
I'm including pics of him (and yes we know that we don't actually know the sex), and his enclosure. And I have a few questions. His enclosure has coir, with a zoomed power sun 100w bulb. Humidity is mostly 60%range by maintaining the coir, higher in the hides. His cooler temps are around 75, and dip to about 70 at night. His basking spot is where I'm a little off. I've read that about 12" from substrate is approx where the powersun should be. I have the lamp about 11", but obviously the bulb is up a few inches higher. With my pocket infrared thermometer, I'm getting 95 off his shell when he is basking, but the damp coir substrate is in the 80's. Is that okay? Should I lower it?
He is sleeping a lot, but seems to wake up and wander/sleep in the afternoon. I'm hoping with adjustment time that will change or is that pretty normal for a baby?
He's not eating a ton, but pooping pretty regularly. (Dandelion green, a bit of romaine, wheatgrass, and radicchio is what he hasn't snubbed his nose at.
It was suggested I add some moss to hides, and some plants for cover in another of my post, which I plan on doing.