Mervin
- Thread starter james1990
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Awww those are cute! Can he get in that water dish? Never seen a hatchling be able to use one like that before. If you haven't seen him use it safely and get in and out, I'd use another dish. Even shallow water can be a danger if they flip getting out. Something more sunk in, or one with a ramp or stairs may be better. After testing about 6, this is the only one that worked for us: http://www.flukerfarms.com/groovyjacuzzi.aspx I got the XL size so he could grow into it, and I think your tort could handle the stairs in that size fine. Also, I'd feed on a slate tile which will help wear down the beak and nails, and also this will have it so the tort doesn't have to climb the lip to get to the food. If you put it in a corner, the substrate will stay off the food a little better. How deep is the substrate? I'd do at least twice as deep as the tort is long as Russians love to burrow. What kind of substrate is that? How is your temperature gradient doing with the vivarium? Do you have a basking area of 95 as well as areas in the 70s and 80s?
Typically it is hard to do that in a vivarium/tank, so we'll recommend an open top container like a plastic tub or wood tort table. Some torts also don't do well when they can see out. If your tort start to run into the glass, pace, or appear stressed, add a paper border around the bottom so it can't see out. What is the tort's Straight Carapace Length (SCL)? http://www.tlady.clara.net/measure.htm If you do choose to use a log (I said in your other thread why I wouldn't use a hide with non-vertical sides with a hatchling), at least move it away from the water. If the tort falls of it and lands on his back, you don't want him to land in water or under a hot light as they don't last as long on their backs this way. What are you using for heat, light, and UVB?
Typically it is hard to do that in a vivarium/tank, so we'll recommend an open top container like a plastic tub or wood tort table. Some torts also don't do well when they can see out. If your tort start to run into the glass, pace, or appear stressed, add a paper border around the bottom so it can't see out. What is the tort's Straight Carapace Length (SCL)? http://www.tlady.clara.net/measure.htm If you do choose to use a log (I said in your other thread why I wouldn't use a hide with non-vertical sides with a hatchling), at least move it away from the water. If the tort falls of it and lands on his back, you don't want him to land in water or under a hot light as they don't last as long on their backs this way. What are you using for heat, light, and UVB?
Mervin looks like a happy tort in his own private Idaho. 
Kate's got a champion Show Tort in Trevor so any advice from her is good. Merv will love you for it.
Don't forget about the importance of keeping the humidity fairly high so Merv's handsome shell stays smooth and strong as he grows.
Enjoy your little buddy. It's obvious he's enjoying himself.
Kate's got a champion Show Tort in Trevor so any advice from her is good. Merv will love you for it.
Don't forget about the importance of keeping the humidity fairly high so Merv's handsome shell stays smooth and strong as he grows.
Enjoy your little buddy. It's obvious he's enjoying himself.
He looks like he is smiling in every picture.....almost like he's drunk. He also looks like he has Angelina Jollie lips. He is the cutest lil' tort, and I can't stop laughing.
What a character. His little face is very unique. I think the Russians are just so cute especially when they're spread out like that Oh, I love you enclosure it's so nice.
Oh, I love you enclosure it's so nice.
I agree with Terry, your tort looks drunk in each pic!!! very adorable!!
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How cute!
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