Newbie here

[MellyB]

Hi after much research I have decided to get my first tort.
I have read all of the care sheets for Russians from here and have read about 50% of the threads ever posted on here!!
I have had my enclosure set up for about four days now (no tortoise yet, wanted to get the enclosure just right first). I was wondering if you take a look and give me any pointers if I have missed anything. The only thing that is not in there yet is the humid hide which I didn’t want to break open the moss yet till it was needed.
Thanks

 

[Billna the 2]

Nice set up[emoji4]and welcome to the forum

 

[TriciaStringer]

That is very cute! Russians are very VERY good climbers and I see yours climbing on top of the black hide and then climbing out.

 

[DARKFIRE007]

Two things, first...that enclosure is way to small for an adult from what I see, 4x3 foot max I am guessing? Adults need 4x8 minimum. And second, make sure there isn't any sand in that substrate as it is a risk for them.

Looks really good for a hatchling though.

 

[DARKFIRE007]

That is very cute! Russians are very VERY good climbers and I see yours climbing on top of the black hide and then climbing out.

Nice catch...I overlooked that entirely.

 

[Billna the 2]

Nice catch...I overlooked that entirely.

Heheheeheheheh[emoji16]

 

[MellyB]

That is very cute! Russians are very VERY good climbers and I see yours climbing on top of the black hide and then climbing out.

This was what I had thought,was thinking of moving that.

 

[MellyB]

Two things, first...that enclosure is way to small for an adult from what I see, 4x3 foot max I am guessing? Adults need 4x8 minimum. And second, make sure there isn't any sand in that substrate as it is a risk for them.

Looks really good for a hatchling though.

It is only a hatchling. This is just the first enclosure the weather is just starting to change here in the uk so will build a very large outdoor one ready for thesummer next year.

 

[MellyB]

Also the substrate is just a sterilised lime free too soil.

 

[MellyB]

Picked up my new tort Nellie this afternoon.
Just a quick question.
She seems to be settling in ok had a good wander and has had some food.
My question is she has found a nice spot and burrowed down. But she has completely covered herself all you can see is a very small circle of the top of her shell.
Is this normal?
Is this safe?
Can she breath under there??
The substrate is straight sterilised topsoil.
Thanks

 

[DARKFIRE007]

Also the substrate is just a sterilised lime free too soil.

Everything looks alright then as far as I know...and yea I would kill for some of that overcast and rainy mild temperature English weather for the rest of summer. I feel like an ant under a magnifying glass.

Oh, don't forget a cuttlebone. A hatchling may or may not ignore it but it won't hurt.

 

[Minority2]

Burrowing is normal and safe. They can breath just fine under there.

I noticed that you had an open enclosure from your other thread. Please make sure that your enclosure's temperature and humidity levels are setup for your hatchling.