new here,some questions

[KellySusan]

Hi. live in norway,were tortoise is forbidden if you do not have a permition,something we have because of allergy,so there is not a lot of information to find in pet stores or book stores about tortoises,so very happy to stumble over this site. Just want to show you our russian tortoise baby,got him may1st,so havent had him that long,well..we say him,but we really dont know hope to learn alot about russion tortoise here,and sorry for the bad english ill try to upload some pictures of him and his enclosure. Looking forward to hear what you think about him ☺

 

[Lyn W]

Hi KellySusan and welcome to the forum you will find lots of up to date information here. There are some excellent caresheets for Russians under Species Specific which will tell you all you need to know about temps humidity diet substrate etc ; you'll find ideas for Enclosures and I found the Beginners Mistake thread useful too.
So read, search and ask as many questions as you want someone will be along to help in good time. Looking forward to seeing your pics!

 

[leigti]

Welcome to the forum. I also have a Russian, they are great. Check out the Russian tortoise care sheet under the species specific section. It has a lot of great information.

 

[KellySusan]

 

[KellySusan]

Sorry for the screenshot, could not upload it from the Phone, he is up in the right corner, Will try later to upload some more pictures, this one is Just few days arter we got him, we do not have that wood there anymore, have a stone there like the otherone

 

[KellySusan]

 

[Lyn W]

He's tiny! That's a good start but you could probably do with some plants in there to give him interest/cover and make him feel more secure, something safe so that if he nibbles it he won't come to any harm. Spider plants are OK but if you check plants on www.thetortoisetable.org.uk that will be a good guide as to what is safe. maybe another hide - flower pot on side etc.

It's hard to tell from pic so apologies if there is no problem but make sure the sides of his dish aren't too steep for him so he doesn't flip and drown, and possibly sink it into substrate so top of it is level with surface to help him get in and out.

Does it have a cover to keep heat and humidity in? If you look at the Enclosures thread that will give great ideas to make sure your tort stays happy and healthy.

 

[KellySusan]

 

[KellySusan]

 

[Lyn W]

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View attachment 132055

He's lovely - looks much bigger than I though he was on the enclosure shot! Are all baby Russians' eyes that colour? I have leopard so his will be different.

 

[KellySusan]

Yes plants are coming, we have Just got the sun back here in north of norway, som we are planting now, I was just afraid of putting something in to him that he was not suppose to have. Do you think he is fat or thin? He has a good apatite the waterbowl looks very big, but is not, so he cant drown in it he gets a good soak every day, and we soak his enclosure to, he has uv light, heat light and daylight.

 

[KellySusan]

When we got him he looked very dry,after we started soaking him it was like he lost some skinn, is this normal? Now that the sun is back and spring and summer is Just around the corner we have alot of dandilions, and he loves it can we freeze dandilions now, so he has for Winter? We also have pre alpin testudo pellets. .dryed herbs and grass that you soak in some water. Hope you understand me and the bad engelsk of mine

 

[KellySusan]

Forgot to say that his enclosure is really big, so he looks very tiny in it yes

 

[Lyn W]

Yes plants are coming, we have Just got the sun back here in north of norway, som we are planting now, I was just afraid of putting something in to him that he was not suppose to have. Do you think he is fat or thin? He has a good apatite the waterbowl looks very big, but is not, so he cant drown in it he gets a good soak every day, and we soak his enclosure to, he has uv light, heat light and daylight.

Another Russian tort keeper will be able to tell you about his weight. As long as he is getting a good selection of food listed on the caresheet and your temperature is warm enough and humidity OK he will prob be OK too.

Forgot to say be careful of that clamp lamp on the side as they have a habit of coming loose and falling which could burn your tort or be a fire hazard - most keepers recommend hanging them so they point down. What do you do for night heat?

 

[Lyn W]

Your English is fine.

@leigti will be able to answer your questions specifically about Russians so hopefully she'll be back soon

 

[KellySusan]

He des not have any night heat, the enclosure is about 23-25 degrees celsius at night, he has hay that he burrys in, or just burrys himself in the substrat. Yes we are trying to find aother solution to the heat light, have thought about the same tings that you said.

 

[KellySusan]

Thanks for the answers so far Lyn W

 

[Lyn W]

He des not have any night heat, the enclosure is about 23-25 degrees celsius at night, he has hay that he burrys in, or just burrys himself in the substrat. Yes we are trying to find aother solution to the heat light, have thought about the same tings that you said.

I use a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) on a thermostat at night - they just give heat and no light because as you probably know torts like total darkness to sleep. If you google it you will see what they look like and they fit in a lamp holder like a bulb.

 

[Lyn W]

if you post a 'hello' on the Introduction thread and say that you have asked questions on this one you will probably get more replies.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, KellySusan and welcome to Tortoise Forum. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/
will give you lots of helpful information for your beautiful baby's care.
A shallow terracotta saucer sunk into the substrate is cheap and safer than what you have.
Are you using a coil bulb?