My First Tortoise- Russian Hatchling

[AbeCabot]

I will soon receive my first tortoise, a Russian hatchling. I'm very excited and would appreciate any advice you can offer. I also have a few general questions:

1. Cage- It must be indoors. I'd like to go to Home Depot and build a "tortoise table." Anything important I should know in advance? Must it have a depressed area for digging? How big should the hiding area be?

2. What temperature should the heated and non-heated areas be?

3. What can I buy at a common grocer's for feeding? How do I apply TNT to the food? How much at each feeding and how often should I feed? Can it overdose on dandelions (I have a lot in my yard)?

4. How many hours of light should I set on the timer?

5. How often should I bathe?

6. How much handling is too much?

7. Any interesting items to include in the cage?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks!

 

[Yvonne G]

Most, if not all, of your questions will be answered in the care sheet. You can find it pinned at the top of the Russian section, but here's the link:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

 

[Gillian M]

I think that Yvonne answered all of your questions so all I am going to say is:

A warm welcome to the forum. And please do not forget pics.