Looking for Ideas for enclosure?

[russiantortoise1253]

I am going to be getting a russian tortoise probably within the next month. So far I have part of my indoor enclosure done. Though, I need to know what things are needed in an enclosure, and what thing you would suggest.

 

[Merrick]

Two hides
a food and water bowl (most suggest clay/terracotta plates used for plant pots)
A heat lamp
Uvb bulb (heat and uvb can be combined in a mercury vapor bulb)
Also have some food ready (mazuri or any other pellet ed tortoise diet plus edible weeds and produce)
That is it I think

 

[Merrick]

I would suggest getting a temp gun and a hydrometer to test the tempature and humidity
Also I would suggest to plant some plants in the enclosure it helps to hold humidity and keeps the soil togther also it can be snaked on

 

[russiantortoise1253]

Two hides
a food and water bowl (most suggest clay/terracotta plates used for plant pots)
A heat lamp
Uvb bulb (heat and uvb can be combined in a mercury vapor bulb)
Also have some food ready (mazuri or any other pellet ed tortoise diet plus edible weeds and produce)
That is it I think

Thank you! This will help me a lot!

 

[russiantortoise1253]

So far I have one hiding spot for the tortoise, an old heat lamp (hopefully I can get a new one soon), some soil and wood shavings. About the wood shavings, at the moment I only have aspen shavings. Are aspen shavings safe for russian tortoises? If not I will find a different substrate.

 

[Yelloweyed]

Nope. Aspen shavings are not tortoise-friendly.

Coco coir (anything coconut husk), cypress mulch, fir bark/mulch are options that retain moisture without getting moldy. Untreated (no pesticides) soil is a good foundation for growing your own food for the tort. Rocks, tiles and the like can add texture for different 'zones.'

 

[Merrick]

Yah aspen is not recommended coco coir ir more soil is better

 

[Merrick]

Also aspen is more susceptible to mold

 

[russiantortoise1253]

Alright! Thank you for letting me know!

 

[Yvonne G]

Actually, quite a few tortoise keepers in the UK use aspen bedding. The only thing wrong with it is you can't moisten it because it will mold. And most tortoises benefit from a bit of moisture in their habitat.

I put this together for setting up a baby habitat, but it works for bigger tortoises too, you just need a bigger tub:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/suggestion-for-setting-up-a-baby-habitat.105903/

 

[russiantortoise1253]

I'm thinking maybe I could have half of the enclosure have soil and half aspen. Let me know your thoughts.

 

[Merrick]

I would wait till you can get more soil or coco coir just my opinion

 

[awesomecs]

just on the safe side I would put soil or coco coir

 

[lisa127]

100% organic peat moss works as well.