New Russian Tortoise Owner

russian/sulcata/tortoise

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Aug 6, 2014
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Location (City and/or State)
Northern California, bay area
Exactly, I want this guy to at the very minimum have at least an adequate sized environment, do you keep yours outdoors?
during the summers they stay outside during the day and i bring them in at night. right now it still gets around 65 so i still put them out on some days. where are you located?
 

Grandpa Turtle 144

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Apr 3, 2013
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Eric
Hello and welcome to the TFO from AZ. Let's slow down its Christmas season your parents Maybe thinking about gifts and money you maybe real surprised Christmas morning . So just give your tort all the proper care and love it . And your parents won't let you down in this season . Have a very merry Christmas . And have a great tort day !
 

Egerard98

New Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2014
Messages
13
Eric
Hello and welcome to the TFO from AZ. Let's slow down its Christmas season your parents Maybe thinking about gifts and money you maybe real surprised Christmas morning . So just give your tort all the proper care and love it . And your parents won't let you down in this season . Have a very merry Christmas . And have a great tort day !

Thanks! you as well! But for proper care it would need more room as everyone is sayin, so i'd like to improve the size ASAP, except i'd pay for everything this time like i had planned in the beginning!:)
 

Grandpa Turtle 144

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Messages
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Eric
I understand everything has to happen yesterday but you have to live through Christmas and pease on earth ( and parents )
 

weldorNate

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North Dakota
Congrats on getting a tortoise for Christmas I got my first tortoise for Christmas two years ago now. I also know in time u will get a bigger enclosure and get his care all down.
 

Egerard98

New Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2014
Messages
13
Welcome to TFO!

Thanks a lot! Any tips?? I'm gonna ask my dad to see if he can help me build a home made tortoise table! If you have any ideas PLEASE tell me, I need all the help I can get to correct my current conditions for Roger:)
 

russian/sulcata/tortoise

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Thanks a lot! Any tips?? I'm gonna ask my dad to see if he can help me build a home made tortoise table! If you have any ideas PLEASE tell me, I need all the help I can get to correct my current conditions for Roger:)
in my opinion the smallest cage for a russian is 4ft by 8ft. when you build it remember to line it with some thick plastic liner so the substrate can be moist without making the wood cage moldy. ]
 

ChloeCrull

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Oct 20, 2014
Messages
165
Location (City and/or State)
Fresno, California
Welcome to the Tortoise Forum, Eric!

I'm Chloe—a 15 year-old girlie from Canada, but I'm currently residing in Fresno, California. It's nice to see that other teenagers share my love for reptiles (especially tortoises!). I also received my first tortoise for Christmas. She was purchased from an online website (unfortunately, she passed away two months later).

Yes, it's already been mentioned a thousand times, but the enclosure is too small. Now, I was in the same position as you. My parents had purchased a home for the little one, a Zoo Med Tortoise House, and over time we realized that it was too small. My mother wasn't particularly happy, mainly because of the amount of space it took up in my room. Nonetheless, we doubled the size with a second Zoo Med Tortoise House, and (almost) all has been well since.

Before you set up a new enclosure, please be aware that see-through terrariums are very bad for tortoises. Animals do not understand the concept of "glass" or "plastic" and often get stressed while trying to walk through it. Unfortunately, pet stores around the world advertise these poor structures through YouTube videos, display shelves, care sheets, and other sources.

Don't feel bad if your mother is upset. It wasn't you who purchased the small terrarium (not trying to point fingers!). Also, keep in mind that tortoises are an expensive animal when you first purchase them. Once their enclosure is properly set up and maintained, the price of upkeep dramatically decreases—greens are a lot cheaper than dog food!

* * *

Moving on.

Tortoises (especially Russians) love to burrow underneath their substrate. Mine do it so often that I have to given them little "showers" instead of "baths" to rinse off the dirt from their shells! If you're finding that substrate is terribly expensive, @Tom , a very, very intelligent member of the forums here suggested a very cheap, yet useful, substitute for the $30 bag of dirt at the pet store. You can buy any hardwood walk-on bark from home improvement stores. Just make sure it's not pine or cedar.



Being a teenager, I can also understand the frustration of not being able to run out to the stores willy-nilly to purchase the mandatory supplies. However, there are some cheap alternatives, such as plastic tubs (and even kiddie pools). Fortunately, you are a hard worker and have some funds saved up, which can definitely make life easier for you and your parents.


* * *

Moving on again.

Tortoises are solitary, independent animals. Reptiles don't necessarily have "emotions" or "feelings" towards you, but there are some arguable situations. For example, over the first few months of raising my tortoise, he was very shy and cautious. However, he eventually felt comfortable around me and situated me with food and warmth. He seems to recognize my scent—or something of that matter—as he is much more comfortable around me than any other person or being in my household.

Don't worry! He'll definitely warm up to you. Don't make sudden movements or move your hands near him too much. Hovering over him and casting a shadow across his shell and head will often frighten him and he'll duck into his shell. Tortoises are grumpy, but sweet, little creatures!


* * *​

Concluding this intimidating block of text.

In all fairness, I learned most of my "skills" and gained most of my (or lack of) "knowledge" from experience. Watching my tortoises and connecting their behavior to previous concerns and posts I had read allowed me a deeper understanding of my little shells. Don't be afraid to make a thread and ask a question, even if it has an obvious answer. Chances are, you're bound to be taught a revolutionary trick or two. However, before making a new thread, always check the related ones to see if you're question is already answered.

Even if you've mastered the most advanced skills of caring for your tortoise, you should always refresh your mind with the appropriate (not PetSmart or Petco) caresheets.




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Helpful links:


Enclosures:


1. Cheap, Easy, Simple Sunning Enclosure (Thank you, @Tom !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/cheap-easy-simple-sunning-enclosure.14680/



2. SUGGESTION for Setting Up a Baby Habitat (Thank you, @Yvonne G !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/suggestion-for-setting-up-a-baby-habitat.105903/#post-997616



3. New Setup - Good read for beginners (Thank you, @TestudoGreek )

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/new-setup-good-read-for-beginners.661/



4. Ideas for Indoor Enclosures (Thank you, @Jacqui !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/ideas-for-indoor-enclosures.65798/



5. Ideas for outdoor enclosures (Thank you again, @Jacqui !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/ideas-for-outdoor-enclosures.65797/









Lighting


1. Summary: Lighting for Russian Tortoises (and most others) (Thank you, @biochemnerd808 !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/summary-lighting-for-russian-tortoises-and-most-others.90826/









Substrate


1. Indoor substrate for Horsefield (dust free!) *Note: Read all of the posts. @Tom provides some excellent information in multiple posts).

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/indoor-substrate-for-horsefield-dust-free.106177/









Health


1. Tortoise Vet List (Thank you, @Josh !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/tortoise-vet-list.126/



2. How to find a good tortoise vet (and maybe an excellent one!) (Thank you, @biochemnerd808 !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...ortoise-vet-and-maybe-an-excellent-one.97523/









Diet and Food


1. Pictures of common plants - both edible and toxic for tortoises (Thank you, @Yvonne G !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...ts-both-edible-and-toxic-for-tortoises.14564/









Other Important Links:


1. Beginner Mistakes (Thank you, @Tom !)


http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/



2. Why not to keep 2 tortoises together - a lesson learned the hard way (Thank you, @biochemnerd808 !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...together-a-lesson-learned-the-hard-way.94114/



3. Why does my Russian tortoise stay buried? (Thank you, @Yvonne G !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/why-does-my-russian-tortoise-stay-buried.59575/




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A lot of useful threads pop up in the forum section that is specifically for Russian tortoises here:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/russian-tortoises.81/









I hope this helps. :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:

leigti

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5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2013
Messages
7,026
Location (City and/or State)
southeast Washington
Welcome to the forum! You have a very nice looking toward us there. Your parents just fell for the information given at the pet store, nothing new, pet stores almost always give the wrong information. check out the different threads, make a list of things you want or need, and then research it some more :) from personal experience I will tell you that it is easier to make one large enclosure rather than to keep adding on or having to change ones that are too small. The start up costs are definitely high but after that it gets relatively cheap. I recommend the coconut coir because it holds more secure well, will not cause impaction if the tortoise accidentally eat some of it when it sticks to his food, and can be bought in bulk on Amazon or garden stores. just make sure it is pure with no chemicals or fertilizers etc. it usually comes in bricks that you add water to, then squeeze the water out and put it in the enclosure. make sure you stay away from the coil UVB bulbs, Mercury vapor bulbs are the most convenient because they provide UVB and heat. I also strongly suggest a temperature gun, they don't cost much and make it very easy to tell the temperature around the enclosure.
Don't get into much of a hurry, take a little time and decide what you want.there are some great ideas for enclosures that you can build or you can buy things such as large Rubbermaid bins, Christmas tree bins, kiddie pools, or stock tanks.remember the idea is to have lots of floor space and it must be deep enough to hold at least 4 to 6 inches of substrate. Russians are great scape artist so make it secure. I know this seems overwhelming right now but you'll get it together and your parents will come around, hopefully :) indoors right now I have a white one Russian tortoise and one box turtle separate enclosures of course, there is absolutely no smell. One last tip, to help keep the enclosure clean soak your tortoise every couple days. Being soaked in the Warmwater often stimulates them to go to the bathroom. They go in the water instead of their enclosure and it helps keep them hydrated. Keep reading and asking questions. And keep the pictures coming.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Welcome.

You need to read that thread that has been linked twice now and apply that info.

Those water bowls are not suitable. That is why your tortoise wants nothing to do with it. Get a $2 terra cotta plant saucer from a hardware store instead.

Unless your house is dropping below 55-60 at night, you don't need night heat.

Looks like you are using one of those coil type bulbs. Those can burn their eyes.

If you take back that little tank, the two fixtures and bulbs that you don't need, and the water bowl, you will have enough money left over to buy all the right stuff at the hardware store.

Here is that thread again, and another one that should help:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Please just take a few minutes to read these.
 

Egerard98

New Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2014
Messages
13
Welcome to the Tortoise Forum, Eric!

I'm Chloe—a 15 year-old girlie from Canada, but I'm currently residing in Fresno, California. It's nice to see that other teenagers share my love for reptiles (especially tortoises!). I also received my first tortoise for Christmas. She was purchased from an online website (unfortunately, she passed away two months later).

Yes, it's already been mentioned a thousand times, but the enclosure is too small. Now, I was in the same position as you. My parents had purchased a home for the little one, a Zoo Med Tortoise House, and over time we realized that it was too small. My mother wasn't particularly happy, mainly because of the amount of space it took up in my room. Nonetheless, we doubled the size with a second Zoo Med Tortoise House, and (almost) all has been well since.

Before you set up a new enclosure, please be aware that see-through terrariums are very bad for tortoises. Animals do not understand the concept of "glass" or "plastic" and often get stressed while trying to walk through it. Unfortunately, pet stores around the world advertise these poor structures through YouTube videos, display shelves, care sheets, and other sources.

Don't feel bad if your mother is upset. It wasn't you who purchased the small terrarium (not trying to point fingers!). Also, keep in mind that tortoises are an expensive animal when you first purchase them. Once their enclosure is properly set up and maintained, the price of upkeep dramatically decreases—greens are a lot cheaper than dog food!

* * *

Moving on.

Tortoises (especially Russians) love to burrow underneath their substrate. Mine do it so often that I have to given them little "showers" instead of "baths" to rinse off the dirt from their shells! If you're finding that substrate is terribly expensive, @Tom , a very, very intelligent member of the forums here suggested a very cheap, yet useful, substitute for the $30 bag of dirt at the pet store. Here's the link—you can find it at Lowe's.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_58586-78212-GT00023_0__?productId=3731889

It's currently $3.71 in the US.

Being a teenager, I can also understand the frustration of not being able to run out to the stores willy-nilly to purchase the mandatory supplies. However, there are some cheap alternatives, such as plastic tubs (and even kiddie pools). Fortunately, you are a hard worker and have some funds saved up, which can definitely make life easier for you and your parents.

* * *

Moving on again.

Tortoises are solitary, independent animals. Reptiles don't necessarily have "emotions" or "feelings" towards you, but there are some arguable situations. For example, over the first few months of raising my tortoise, he was very shy and cautious. However, he eventually felt comfortable around me and situated me with food and warmth. He seems to recognize my scent—or something of that matter—as he is much more comfortable around me than any other person or being in my household.

Don't worry! He'll definitely warm up to you. Don't make sudden movements or move your hands near him too much. Hovering over him and casting a shadow across his shell and head will often frighten him and he'll duck into his shell. Tortoises are grumpy, but sweet, little creatures!


* * *​

Concluding this intimidating block of text.

In all fairness, I learned most of my "skills" and gained most of my (or lack of) "knowledge" from experience. Watching my tortoises and connecting their behavior to previous concerns and posts I had read allowed me a deeper understanding of my little shells. Don't be afraid to make a thread and ask a question, even if it has an obvious answer. Chances are, you're bound to be taught a revolutionary trick or two. However, before making a new thread, always check the related ones to see if you're question is already answered.

Even if you've mastered the most advanced skills of caring for your tortoise, you should always refresh your mind with the appropriate (not PetSmart or Petco) caresheets.




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Helpful links:


Enclosures:


1. Cheap, Easy, Simple Sunning Enclosure (Thank you, @Tom !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/cheap-easy-simple-sunning-enclosure.14680/



2. SUGGESTION for Setting Up a Baby Habitat (Thank you, @Yvonne G !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/suggestion-for-setting-up-a-baby-habitat.105903/#post-997616



3. New Setup - Good read for beginners (Thank you, @TestudoGreek )

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/new-setup-good-read-for-beginners.661/



4. Ideas for Indoor Enclosures (Thank you, @Jacqui !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/ideas-for-indoor-enclosures.65798/



5. Ideas for outdoor enclosures (Thank you again, @Jacqui !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/ideas-for-outdoor-enclosures.65797/









Lighting


1. Summary: Lighting for Russian Tortoises (and most others) (Thank you, @biochemnerd808 !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/summary-lighting-for-russian-tortoises-and-most-others.90826/









Substrate


1. Indoor substrate for Horsefield (dust free!) *Note: Read all of the posts. @Tom provides some excellent information in multiple posts).

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/indoor-substrate-for-horsefield-dust-free.106177/









Health


1. Tortoise Vet List (Thank you, @Josh !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/tortoise-vet-list.126/



2. How to find a good tortoise vet (and maybe an excellent one!) (Thank you, @biochemnerd808 !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...ortoise-vet-and-maybe-an-excellent-one.97523/









Diet and Food


1. Pictures of common plants - both edible and toxic for tortoises (Thank you, @Yvonne G !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...ts-both-edible-and-toxic-for-tortoises.14564/









Other Important Links:


1. Beginner Mistakes (Thank you, @Tom !)


http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/



2. Why not to keep 2 tortoises together - a lesson learned the hard way (Thank you, @biochemnerd808 !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...together-a-lesson-learned-the-hard-way.94114/



3. Why does my Russian tortoise stay buried? (Thank you, @Yvonne G !)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/why-does-my-russian-tortoise-stay-buried.59575/




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A lot of useful threads pop up in the forum section that is specifically for Russian tortoises here:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/russian-tortoises.81/









I hope this helps. :)

Thank you SOO much! That definitely helps a lot and I really appreciate all the information! I'm looking forward to giving him a better home!:)
 

Egerard98

New Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2014
Messages
13
during the summers they stay outside during the day and i bring them in at night. right now it still gets around 65 so i still put them out on some days. where are you located?

Long Island, New York. Right now its gets no warmer the 55° degrees with winter approaching which isnt too bad, these past couple of days have been in the high 30's and low 40's
 

Tyanna

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Joined
Jul 28, 2014
Messages
1,077
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
Buy a Christmas tree storage tub until you can make an even bigger space for your tortoise.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
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10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,405
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Now my parents told me that the clerk said Roger was a little younger than or about a year old just to put things in perspective

No, no, and NO!!! The store clerks have no idea how old Russian tortoises are. They assume that because it's so small it must be young. From your picture, your Russian tortoise is almost full grow, which means he's upwards of 10 years of age. If he were a year old, he would be very light yellow/brown with no black on the carapace, and he would be about 2" from front to back.

(And don't pay any attention to the harsh words Little Nicky (russian/sulcata/tortoise) sent my way. He really loves me!)
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,405
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Hi Eric, me again!

I have to respectfully disagree with the link for substrate that Chloe gave you. NEVER EVER use pine as a substrate. Pine has aromatic oils that can be harmful to tortoises. Pine, cedar...any of those with a strong aroma and oil should not be used as bedding.
 
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