Hello there! This is my first time posting on the Tortoise Forums, although I have been doing quite a bit of reading here as of late. I'm very interested in adopting a Russian Tortoise to be my very own turtle friend, hopefully sometime by January of next year so his/her arrival can coincide with my birthday . This website has so many great resources, and I've already bookmarked several pages about proper heating, humidity, and diet for the Russian Tortoise, but I had a few more questions I'd love to have answered before I start seeking out any local tortoise breeders/rescue groups.
Firstly, I'd like a knowledgeable opinion about my plans for an indoor enclosure. I was thinking of constructing a tortoise table out of some natural wood - maybe cedar or some other untreated variety - and having it be 2.5' by 5' long with a plastic tarp on the bottom. I'd fill it with a mix of play-sand and topsoil substrate, probably 3 or 4 inches deep. I'd use a mercury vapor bulb for spotlight heating and maybe another fluorescent one for just normal light.
Does this set-up sound appropriate for a single Russian Tortoise? Also, how often do you clean the substrate/enclosure? And how frequently do bulbs need to be replaced?
Second, I was wondering where other members found success in purchasing healthy Russian Tortoises (not from Petco ), and how much they bought them for? I don't want to be overcharged, although I'm wall aware that tortoises are expensive to purchase. Are there any good organizations in Michigan that anyone knows of? Thank you so much!
Firstly, I'd like a knowledgeable opinion about my plans for an indoor enclosure. I was thinking of constructing a tortoise table out of some natural wood - maybe cedar or some other untreated variety - and having it be 2.5' by 5' long with a plastic tarp on the bottom. I'd fill it with a mix of play-sand and topsoil substrate, probably 3 or 4 inches deep. I'd use a mercury vapor bulb for spotlight heating and maybe another fluorescent one for just normal light.
Does this set-up sound appropriate for a single Russian Tortoise? Also, how often do you clean the substrate/enclosure? And how frequently do bulbs need to be replaced?
Second, I was wondering where other members found success in purchasing healthy Russian Tortoises (not from Petco ), and how much they bought them for? I don't want to be overcharged, although I'm wall aware that tortoises are expensive to purchase. Are there any good organizations in Michigan that anyone knows of? Thank you so much!