Cozmo88
Member
Hi everyone!
I’m a new tortoise owner to a Russian tortoise named Leonardo. I bought him about 2 weeks ago from a reptile pet store, and they guessed his age to be approximately 5 years old based on his size. I’ve never owned any type of tortoise before so I’m still learning as I go. I’m waiting for the outdoor habitat I bought online to come in the mail so I can have him outside more without me having to baby sit him. I let him roam around my yard but I stay by his side and I don’t take my eyes off him at all. I let him roam for about a good 20 minutes or so, one-two times a day. I’ve been reading so many posts about how it’s not recommended to let them roam around freely, but I’m already a nervous person so like I said, I’m literally right by his side taking steps with him.
Anyway, the first day I brought him home I think he was so dehydrated because when I soaked him and he drank so much water and he was a bit more active after that. But ever since then, he has not been drinking and doesn’t really seem to like to have a “bath”, always wants to climb out. I try to give him a bath every 2-3 days or so. I do not have a terra cotta bath thing for him yet, I’ve been using a plastic tortoise container I bought from amazon, and of course, I supervise him the whole time he’s in there. Is it okay if he’s not drinking? It’s been two weeks.... but sometimes his greens that I give him may be a little wet, so I’m assuming his getting hydrated that way?
I’m also looking for advice on types of plants I can put in his outdoor enclosure when it comes in. I’ve seen lots of great pictures of other enclosures, I just want to make sure I’m not putting anything poisonous in it. I’ve also seen some pictures of some folks putting what looks like a half of a plant pot in the ground for a hide a way for their torts. I love that idea! I want to make it a cute habitat for him so it will have grass and should I make one area have tiny rocks or something?
Any ideas or suggestions you guys can give me would be great! Like I said, I’m still learning as I go and I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can for my little guy!
I’m a new tortoise owner to a Russian tortoise named Leonardo. I bought him about 2 weeks ago from a reptile pet store, and they guessed his age to be approximately 5 years old based on his size. I’ve never owned any type of tortoise before so I’m still learning as I go. I’m waiting for the outdoor habitat I bought online to come in the mail so I can have him outside more without me having to baby sit him. I let him roam around my yard but I stay by his side and I don’t take my eyes off him at all. I let him roam for about a good 20 minutes or so, one-two times a day. I’ve been reading so many posts about how it’s not recommended to let them roam around freely, but I’m already a nervous person so like I said, I’m literally right by his side taking steps with him.
Anyway, the first day I brought him home I think he was so dehydrated because when I soaked him and he drank so much water and he was a bit more active after that. But ever since then, he has not been drinking and doesn’t really seem to like to have a “bath”, always wants to climb out. I try to give him a bath every 2-3 days or so. I do not have a terra cotta bath thing for him yet, I’ve been using a plastic tortoise container I bought from amazon, and of course, I supervise him the whole time he’s in there. Is it okay if he’s not drinking? It’s been two weeks.... but sometimes his greens that I give him may be a little wet, so I’m assuming his getting hydrated that way?
I’m also looking for advice on types of plants I can put in his outdoor enclosure when it comes in. I’ve seen lots of great pictures of other enclosures, I just want to make sure I’m not putting anything poisonous in it. I’ve also seen some pictures of some folks putting what looks like a half of a plant pot in the ground for a hide a way for their torts. I love that idea! I want to make it a cute habitat for him so it will have grass and should I make one area have tiny rocks or something?
Any ideas or suggestions you guys can give me would be great! Like I said, I’m still learning as I go and I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can for my little guy!