Just checking that im doing it right. A couple concerns

[Momagn36]

I've not been online this week so maybe this has already been answered elsewhere but if you are looking for good diet options, here are a bunch. (Are you feeding her the actual radish or the leaves? She should only have the leaves.)

Most of this info was put together by very experienced members of this forum. It's a ton of reading, for now you will probably want to focus on the section about grocery store foods that is under the first two links; I bolded the parts that mentions type of grocery store greens that are most recommended.

If you haven't already read it, check the Russian care sheet, it has a section on food near the bottom: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/.

There is another great list for foods that was written for another type of tortoise but if you skip the first bit about grass, all the foods below it are great for your Russian: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/.

You may need to rely on grocery store foods for now. Good foods for tortoises are "chicories," types of lettuce that are likely to be on the far side of the more common floppy green heads of lettuce most people buy. Anything labeled as simply "chicory" is good, as are radiccio, frisee, escarole, and endive; you might even find something labeled as dandelions. You may find a bag of "Spring" or "Spicy" mix that is good, just check the label to be sure it has some of the chicories I just mentioned.

The leaves (just the leaves) of turnips and radishes are also good, as are carrot tops. Collards, mustard greens, bok choy, and other dark, leafy greens are okay as well. If you have any kind of Mexican/hispanic market near you, they will sell cactus, labeled "nopales."

You don't need to feed all of these at one time, just make sure your tortoise is getting access to different types of food. As you get more experienced, you can find the better types of food listed on the care sheets.

Here are a whole bunch of non-grocery store suggestions.

Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Nasturtium
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc...
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Weeds:

Dandelion
Mallow
Filaree
Smooth Sow thistle
Prickly Sow thistle
Milk thistle
Goat head weed
Cats ear
Nettles
Trefoil
Wild onion
Wild mustard
Wild Garlic
Clovers
Broadleaf plantain
Narrow leaf plantain
Chick weed
Hawksbit
Hensbit
Hawksbeard

Thank you and yes I have read all these today. I have been trolling this forum like a stalker learning all I can. Sadly, I have been feeding her the actual radish, squash, carrots, etc. I have been chopping her food and basically making her gourmet salads. I feel I'm posting too much but I want to get it perfect. I made the changes I could today, and will make even more on Friday. Aside from dandelion, I wouldn't know any of those weeds if my yard was full of them. I'm going to order the seeds suggested earlier and grow a bunch myself (I Hope)

 

[RosemaryDW]

We've all made mistakes; that's what the forum is for.

No rush on the weeds. It gets easier as you go along.

 

[daniellenc]

EEEk basking spot capped at 108 degrees so ill have to get a lower watt bulb. I don't want to cook her.

My MVB was too much heat. We all made noobie mistakes. Depending on the size of the enclosure and closed or open a 50-100 CHE on a thermostat is lovely

 

[Momagn36]

My MVB was too much heat. We all made noobie mistakes. Depending on the size of the enclosure and closed or open a 50-100 CHE on a thermostat is lovely

CHE??

 

[daniellenc]

CHE??

Ceramic heat emitter

 

[Momagn36]

UPDATE: Based on feedback, substrate changed to Cypress mulch. Water and food bowls upgraded. Basking rock added. Diet now is spring mix (organic) and some Kale greens. Basking spot temp is now 92degrees. Soaking almost daily. I obtained a large plastic kiddie pool and ordered Testudo mix seeds so will be stating on outdoor enclosure soon.