I recently purchased a pair of baby Russian tortoises (male and female) from a pet store in Florida and had them shipped to my home in NJ. They are the cutest things, barely over 2" long, and doing very well so far.
The problem I am having is that there doesn't seem to be much information online regarding the specific needs of baby Russians, only adults, so I really hope someone out there can give me some sound advice on what's best for these little guys.
Staring with their enclosure- it's a former guinea pig cage, measuring 37"W x 18"D x 19"H.
The substrate is 70% organic potting soil, 30% coconut coir, about 2-3" deep. I started with cypress mulch but found it too difficult to keep moist, which I read is important for babies. I then tried a 50/50 mix of play sand and coconut coir, but the sand seemed to messy and potentially dangerous, so I switched to the potting soil/coco coir. It doesn't seem to be holding the moisture like it did the first few days. I misted the entire substrate twice today and it dried out rather quickly, particularly on the hot side and on top of the humid hide, which is closest to the lamp.
The bulb is a 160 watt Exo Terra Solar Glo Mercury Vapor bulb, which is 17" away from the lowest point in the substrate, 16" from the clay/terracotta half tunnel, and 14" away from the top of the humid hide.
Temps:
Cool side: 70-75 during the day, 70's at night with the bulb off
Hot side: 90-95 under the light, 80's in the surrounding area, 70's at night with the bulb off.
Humid hide (plastic storage container filled with coconut coir and sphagnum moss)- 80% humidity, daytime temps of 78-80, nighttime temps of 70-72.
I set up the humid hide yesterday and the male seems to love it. He stayed in there all day and night yesterday and I had to pull him out manually this afternoon so he could eat. After eating, he walked around a bit, then went right back into the hide and has been there the rest of the day. The female spent last night in the hide, came out this morning on her own, ate, basked all day, then returned to the hide about an hour before the heat lamp turns off. Is this behavior normal or should I be concerned?
I soak them 2-4 times a week for 20-30 minutes, feed them daily for 20-30 minutes on a very varied diet of spring mix and just about every other green leafy vegetable I could get my hands on that's recommended for Russians. I'm hoping to add some live plants to the enclosure for them to snack on as well, once I determine whether or not to keep my current substrate.
Hopefully I don't sound like an paranoid, overreacting parent, but these guys are so little I just want to make sure I'm giving them the best possible care I can, so I appreciate any advise or comments.
The problem I am having is that there doesn't seem to be much information online regarding the specific needs of baby Russians, only adults, so I really hope someone out there can give me some sound advice on what's best for these little guys.
Staring with their enclosure- it's a former guinea pig cage, measuring 37"W x 18"D x 19"H.
The substrate is 70% organic potting soil, 30% coconut coir, about 2-3" deep. I started with cypress mulch but found it too difficult to keep moist, which I read is important for babies. I then tried a 50/50 mix of play sand and coconut coir, but the sand seemed to messy and potentially dangerous, so I switched to the potting soil/coco coir. It doesn't seem to be holding the moisture like it did the first few days. I misted the entire substrate twice today and it dried out rather quickly, particularly on the hot side and on top of the humid hide, which is closest to the lamp.
The bulb is a 160 watt Exo Terra Solar Glo Mercury Vapor bulb, which is 17" away from the lowest point in the substrate, 16" from the clay/terracotta half tunnel, and 14" away from the top of the humid hide.
Temps:
Cool side: 70-75 during the day, 70's at night with the bulb off
Hot side: 90-95 under the light, 80's in the surrounding area, 70's at night with the bulb off.
Humid hide (plastic storage container filled with coconut coir and sphagnum moss)- 80% humidity, daytime temps of 78-80, nighttime temps of 70-72.
I set up the humid hide yesterday and the male seems to love it. He stayed in there all day and night yesterday and I had to pull him out manually this afternoon so he could eat. After eating, he walked around a bit, then went right back into the hide and has been there the rest of the day. The female spent last night in the hide, came out this morning on her own, ate, basked all day, then returned to the hide about an hour before the heat lamp turns off. Is this behavior normal or should I be concerned?
I soak them 2-4 times a week for 20-30 minutes, feed them daily for 20-30 minutes on a very varied diet of spring mix and just about every other green leafy vegetable I could get my hands on that's recommended for Russians. I'm hoping to add some live plants to the enclosure for them to snack on as well, once I determine whether or not to keep my current substrate.
Hopefully I don't sound like an paranoid, overreacting parent, but these guys are so little I just want to make sure I'm giving them the best possible care I can, so I appreciate any advise or comments.