Here's my enclosure for my Russian tortoise Stanley!
My encolsure
- Thread starter TortoiseBoy1999
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DISCLAIMER: I'm not personally attacking you; just offering suggestions/advice because I care about the well-being of your tortoise.
1.) that enclosure is pretty darn small for an adult Russian. From what others have said, that species is pretty active and likes to move around. A 36" glass tank isn't going to cut it. He needs something larger.
2.) Unless you keep your home really warm (75 degrees or more constantly), that lighting system is inadequate (I know because I have it). It does not house any heat bulbs large enough for your tortoise's needs, and the only UV bulbs it will take is compact florescents, which I believe we covered in another thread that they are harmful to tortoises. You need a dome fixture for a basking bulb (ideally a CHE), and a different type of UVB bulb (either a tube or a MVB).
3.) I would personally switch out that bedding with either coconut coir, cypress mulch, topsoil or perhaps a mixture of any of the above. Repti-bark is not easy for them to burrow in/dig in, and its expensive to boot. Save yourself some money and offer your tortoise a better substrate.
4.) He also needs some decorations, although I admit you don't have much room to work with (see my initial comments in #1). Some plants, and definitely a hiding shelter or two.
5.) Lose the heat rock. Again, its was discussed in your other thread. You really don't need it, and its a hazard anyway. Get the proper lighting and there's no real need to offer belly heat.
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Again, not trying to come down on you. Just trying to help you offer the best care for your tortoise.
1.) that enclosure is pretty darn small for an adult Russian. From what others have said, that species is pretty active and likes to move around. A 36" glass tank isn't going to cut it. He needs something larger.
2.) Unless you keep your home really warm (75 degrees or more constantly), that lighting system is inadequate (I know because I have it). It does not house any heat bulbs large enough for your tortoise's needs, and the only UV bulbs it will take is compact florescents, which I believe we covered in another thread that they are harmful to tortoises. You need a dome fixture for a basking bulb (ideally a CHE), and a different type of UVB bulb (either a tube or a MVB).
3.) I would personally switch out that bedding with either coconut coir, cypress mulch, topsoil or perhaps a mixture of any of the above. Repti-bark is not easy for them to burrow in/dig in, and its expensive to boot. Save yourself some money and offer your tortoise a better substrate.
4.) He also needs some decorations, although I admit you don't have much room to work with (see my initial comments in #1). Some plants, and definitely a hiding shelter or two.
5.) Lose the heat rock. Again, its was discussed in your other thread. You really don't need it, and its a hazard anyway. Get the proper lighting and there's no real need to offer belly heat.
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Again, not trying to come down on you. Just trying to help you offer the best care for your tortoise.
I agree 100% with Studentofthereptile.
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Not to gang up... But I agree, it seems too small. From what I have learned, they need lots of room. I am fortunate to be able to house mine outside.
I do see that in his avatar, the Russian tortoise is coming out of a hide log. Perhaps he removed the hide to take the photo? [shrugs]
Still...the other things need to be changed.
Still...the other things need to be changed.
I do have a log it was out for the pic. And I let him Rome outside for hours ALOT and he has a heat bulb and the temp stays between 80-90 degrees and he LOVES his rock he sits on it all day!
I don't have a problem with rocks. They're good for climbing practice and torts love basking on them. Yours is too big to be eaten in error.
I agree that tank looks to small for a mature Russian and it definitely needs landscaping. Mounds to climb on and dig into and (real) plants to eat and hide among.
Russians are very active tortoises and are less stressed in large enclosures
I agree that tank looks to small for a mature Russian and it definitely needs landscaping. Mounds to climb on and dig into and (real) plants to eat and hide among.
Russians are very active tortoises and are less stressed in large enclosures
I just know that some tortoises will often take to chewing on the cord of the heat rock. That was my reasoning for suggesting it be removed/replaced.
StudentoftheReptile said:
My bad... I didn't realise it was a heat rock. I'd be concerned about a Russian putting to much stress on the cable by trying to dig through it.
An ordinary garden rock or hose brick heats up beautifully under a basking lamp and torts love it.
Some of the most experienced tortoise keepers have already commented so there's not much more I can add. But I will say that the water dish looks too small for the tortoise to soak himself. It needs to be large enough to fit the entire tortoise, submerged up the the edge of the top shell, with room for him to dip his head to drink. From that photo it doesn't look sufficient.
As far as lighting goes, a lot of people (myself included) use the ZooMed 100W PowerSun mercury vapor UVB bulb. It gives you heat as well as UVA/UVB. They can be pretty expensive at the store but I've been able to buy them online for under $40.
Patrick
As far as lighting goes, a lot of people (myself included) use the ZooMed 100W PowerSun mercury vapor UVB bulb. It gives you heat as well as UVA/UVB. They can be pretty expensive at the store but I've been able to buy them online for under $40.
Patrick
Ok well he doesn't ever chew on his cord and here's him on his rock:
You may want to add a couple more inches of substrate for burrowing. I'd also recommend a sight barrier. One of my Russians is behind glass and he used to go crazy trying to get through it for hours until I blocked his view.
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