Hello!

[Marcospoon]

Hello everyone!

I will be purchasing a Russian Tortoise as a family pet In a few days. I can’t wait to chat and meet others who I can exchange ideas with! I’m really excited, I love these animals.

Thanks!

 

[KarenSoCal]

Hello, and welcome to TFO!

You've come to the best place to learn everything about your new family member.

You didn't say where you are buying your tortoise, or if it a hatchling or an adult. Either way, please know that pet stores are terrible places to learn how to care for him. All they want to do is sell you equipment that you don't need and sometimes is downright dangerous. The employees have no clue of proper care.

Also, sadly, most vets don't know much about them either. They are just not up to date on modern ways of care. You need to find a good exotics vet that really knows tortoises, and then hope you never have to meet him.

Here on this forum we have keepers who have spent many years experimenting, recording results, and discovering better methods of tort husbandry. Then they come here and share their expertise. Why? Because they love these animals! No one here makes any money. We do it because we care.

I tell you this because you may find that some of our care sheets differ from anything else you have read. Please, don't look anywhere else. You're where you should be.

Here are some links to care sheets. I included hatchling info in case it is needed. In any case, it makes good reading.

Beginner Mistakes

To comment on Tom's article, go here: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-split-Beginner-Mistakes#axzz1tG8s05M5 Over the years many of us, myself included, have made many of these mistakes, and we have certainly seen them made many times by others. With springtime upon us and many new...

www.tortoiseforum.org

Russian Tortoise Care Sheet

Russian tortoises have great personalities, are very hardy, tolerate a wide variety of enclosure parameters, stay small, and are generally a good "starter" tortoise in my opinion. Here is how I like to set them up: Indoor Enclosure type and size: Most people want to know the minimum size...

tortoiseforum.org

Why not to keep 2 tortoises together - a lesson learned the hard way

This is a copy/paste of an article I wrote on my blog last year. I've seen several new keepers ask the question of whether they should get a 'friend' for their tortoise, and so rather than keeping on linking to my blog (which feels kinda self-promoting, which is not my intent), I am creating a...

tortoiseforum.org

How to set up heat in new enclosure?

I just scored on a used 4x2x2 closed enclosure. It came with a socket I will put a 60w che in. And also 4' lighting fixture with a t5ho bulb by zoo med in it. So how should I set up the heating? Do I need to add a basking light? I also have the double light fixture I believe

tortoiseforum.org

 

[ISU]

Hello and welcome. I hope you get a healthy and beautiful tort

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Ray--Opo]

Welcome, great that you are doing your homework first. Karen gave you everything you need to know.
Good luck finding your new friend.