Hi everyone,
I was wondering what people think about keeping a Russian Tortoise in a city apartment. I live in Brooklyn and have a male Russian tortoise who is about five years old. Many of the sources that I've read have strongly recommended, or even insisted on, keeping a Russian Tortoise outside during the warm months. Unfortunately, I live on the second floor and don't have access to any outdoor area where I could keep him. I do make a point of letting him roam around the apartment every morning while I'm getting ready for work, but I'm wondering if this is enough.
The rest of the time, he lives in a 54-gallon Rubbermaid tub (with the proper substrate, lighting, heating, etc.) and he seems extremely bored then. Once I put him back in his enclosure, he'll usually go right under his half-log and spend most of the day just sitting there. He is about six inches long now, and it is time to find a bigger enclosure for him. My apartment is fairly big by NYC standards (that's not saying much, I know) and I should be able to accommodate a sufficiently large enclosure, but I'm still wondering if he really should be in a house with a yard where he can spend the warm spring and summer months.
I'm curious what others in the forums think. Should I sell him to someone in a non-urban setting? My ex-girlfriend gave him to me as a Christmas present two years ago. She was eccentric and liked giving unusual gifts. I really like the little guy, but I don't want to keep him in an environment that is not ideal.
Thanks in advance for your responses.
I was wondering what people think about keeping a Russian Tortoise in a city apartment. I live in Brooklyn and have a male Russian tortoise who is about five years old. Many of the sources that I've read have strongly recommended, or even insisted on, keeping a Russian Tortoise outside during the warm months. Unfortunately, I live on the second floor and don't have access to any outdoor area where I could keep him. I do make a point of letting him roam around the apartment every morning while I'm getting ready for work, but I'm wondering if this is enough.
The rest of the time, he lives in a 54-gallon Rubbermaid tub (with the proper substrate, lighting, heating, etc.) and he seems extremely bored then. Once I put him back in his enclosure, he'll usually go right under his half-log and spend most of the day just sitting there. He is about six inches long now, and it is time to find a bigger enclosure for him. My apartment is fairly big by NYC standards (that's not saying much, I know) and I should be able to accommodate a sufficiently large enclosure, but I'm still wondering if he really should be in a house with a yard where he can spend the warm spring and summer months.
I'm curious what others in the forums think. Should I sell him to someone in a non-urban setting? My ex-girlfriend gave him to me as a Christmas present two years ago. She was eccentric and liked giving unusual gifts. I really like the little guy, but I don't want to keep him in an environment that is not ideal.
Thanks in advance for your responses.