Koopa My Hemann's Tortoise Enclosure

[koopa_45]

Hello everyone, I wanted to share a pic of my tortoise enclosure. I'm in the process of building a bigger enclosure. The pictured below is 48x20, his hide log not pictured. The plant is spider plant.
Koopa is on a escarole, endive lettuce, tortoise hay (from Tortoise Supply), grassland (moistened), mazuri, and dandelion diet. Any other suggestions regarding care is welcomed.

Thank you.

 

[OkAdiza]

Hello and welcome! I could be wrong, but Koopa looks like a Russian tortoise. Where did he come from?

 

[MichaelL]

That is 100% a Russian Tortoise.

 

[koopa_45]

Is he? Oh wow, do i need to make any changes to his diet then?

 

[OkAdiza]

No, Hermann’s and Russians have similar care and diet.
You can look at this care sheet to help too.

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...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[koopa_45]

No, Hermann’s and Russians have similar care and diet.
You can look at this care sheet to help too.

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...

www.tortoiseforum.org

Thank you!

 

[OkAdiza]

Thank you!

You’re welcome! I don’t own a Russian myself, but I’m sure that care sheet will be very helpful and keepers of Russians will be more than willing to answer questions you may have.

 

[OkAdiza]

Thank you!

By the way, my avatar is my Eastern Hermann’s, to see the difference.

 

[koopa_45]

I'm glad i know Koopa is Russian tortoise so i can do some research on care. Am I on the right track as far as enclosure? I will be building a larger enclosure for him will keep the same 50/50 substrate mix of a coconut fiber and soil.

 

[OkAdiza]

I'm glad i know Koopa is Russian tortoise so i can do some research on care. Am I on the right track as far as enclosure? I will be building a larger enclosure for him will keep the same 50/50 substrate mix of a coconut fiber and soil.

I’m fairly new to tortoise keeping myself as I’ve only had my Hermann’s 7 months and my leopard 2 weeks. I would say you might want to add some more sight barriers like the plant you have and a hide or two. I’m not sure what lighting, heat, and uvb you are using from your picture, but you may want to post more pictures for others to help. I personally like to use orchid bark ( Reptibark in Pet stores) for my substrate, so I don’t know much about coconut fiber. I think that mix is ok, just can be messy.
I’m sure someone who knows way more than me will be around soon to help, but definitely take a look through that care sheet too.

 

[TechnoCheese]

Keep in mind that your tortoise requires a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet. Just be sure your new enclosure is that big.
Definitely be sure to add some hides, including a humid one. Next time you change the substrate, I would switch out the soil for fine grade orchid bark or cypress mulch. The soil gets muddy when wet, and could include poisonous plants in its composition.