Please help me with my Russians!

[Necrodancer89]

I came here for some help concerning my two Russian Tortoises who I have just realised that I have been sadly neglecting all these years.

So I've had my two tortoises for over ten years (One female - around 6.5 in and one male - around 4.5 in), and truth be told I did not research enough on how to take care of them before getting them (I was 10 at the time) and only now have I just realised how poorly I have been taking care of them all these years. It breaks my heart to know that I was almost borderline abusing (I have had them in a 1.5 ft by 4 ft glass aquarium) them and now I want to try and turn things around as soon as possible.

So my question is how should I go about getting them a new enclosure, should I buy two new ones (Found out that they should be kept separately) or should I just build two new ones and if so what size(s)?

Please give me some advice because I really want to improve things for them

Things I cannot do:
1. Outside enclosure (Too cold where I live).
2. Sizes of enclosures cannot accumulate to be more than 8 feet long or 3 feet wide (Maybe I can do 9 ft).

P.S: Is there a site that should I go to for helpful advice concerning the health of my tortoises such as their diet (I give them a half a lettuce a day) as well as what to put in the new enclosure? In the mean time I will be researching.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
You've come to the right place to get all the answers you need.
Make them separate enclosures, Russians are a scrappy species and should not be kept in pairs.
The minimum size for each enclosure should be 8 ' by 4'. I know you said this was not possible, but maybe you could have a double decker/ two level enclosure, or even house one tortoise in an enclosure directly above the other.
Building your own is cheaper and often better than buying one.(or two). Bookcases, placed on their backs with the shelves knocked out and a shower curtain lining may be a good starting point. Look at the enclosures section here for lots of good ideas.
Lettuce is not good food for them. they need a mixed diet of broad leafed weeds and greens.
See http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
then http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...together-a-lesson-learned-the-hard-way.94114/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/pairs.34837/
Next http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/ should help.
I like http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/nutrientanalysis.htm the foods in bold are especially good.
I know it's a lot to take in, but read these carefully and you can start to make a better life for your tortoises.
When you've finished, please ask any questions you may have, and someone will be only too willingto help you!
Good luck!!!!

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

 

[Necrodancer89]

Sorry for the wait for a reply (I was eating), I think that I could do a double decker, but in order to do 8 by 4 enclosures I would need to probably move them into the basement (I'm afraid that I might forget them).

But thanks for the replies!

 

[Gillian M]

A very warm welcome to the forum!

I too used to feed my beloved Greek tortoise Roman lettuce, and read that it is not good for torts, After all, more than 90% of it is water. I therefore had to switch to mazuri (which a kindhearted and generous member here sent me, since it's not available in this country).

Please post pics of your torts.

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. If you think,the basement would be a bad idea, then build each a 3x8 and an outdoor enclosure for when it is warm. Read the threads that were posted for,you above and keep referring back to them until You get it. Sometimes it's a lot to take on all at once, so it's nice to always check back to the threads. Good luck and ask away if you get confused or need more help.

 

[Jodie]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Necrodancer89]

Sorry for the wait, but I after reading through the thread I decided on separating the two (Didn't realise the dangers):

Also any ideas on the two-floored enclosures? Again I can't bring the two outside due to climate (Too cold right now), although during warmer months I will see to an outside enclosure.

Again, sorry for the wait and thanks again for the advice!

 

[Alaskamike]

Sorry for the wait, but I after reading through the thread I decided on separating the two (Didn't realise the dangers):

Also any ideas on the two-floored enclosures? Again I can't bring the two outside due to climate (Too cold right now), although during warmer months I will see to an outside enclosure.

Again, sorry for the wait and thanks again for the advice!

Look in the thread under " enclosures ". Many great ideas there.

It is very hard to advise you not knowing the building skills available to you , space , and $ you want to spend.