What type of enclosure for a baby Russian? Please help!

[tortoiselover2323]

Hello everyone, I have been doing a lot of research for the past several months and am getting a baby Russian Tortoise soon. I have read the caresheets provided on this forum and they have given me a great basic understanding of what I need to do in order to help my tortoise be happy and healthy. So I thank you for that.
The only problem though that I have stumbled upon is the type of enclosure I need.

The caresheets on here say baby Russian tortoises need more humidity than adults do, and therefore a Rubbermaid container (40-100 gallon tank or tub) is beneficial rather than an open top enclosure.

The breeder I am getting my tortoise from says to get a shallow tub instead and for it to be an open top. He said the reason for this is to help with air flow and to prevent overheating.

I would like to know what the best solution is. Should I still go with the Rubbermaid container that would provide more humidity?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is my first time owning a tortoise (or at least soon to be!).

Thank you greatly.

 

[Tom]

DON'T BUY FROM THAT BREEDER!

They are following the old methods of raising babies dry and it is likely to result in the death of this baby weeks or months down the road. Read this: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/hatchling-failure-syndrome.23493/

Then give these a read through:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

This one will explain what the breeder should have been doing and you can compare it to what was actually done:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-incubate-eggs-and-start-hatchlings.124266/

If you are still not sure what to do after reading all of that, please come back and let's talk about it.

 

[tortoiselover2323]

Tom, I cannot thank you enough for that advice and providing me with those links. Thank you. I definitely won't be buying from that particular breeder and I now know exactly what type of enclosure I need once I eventually get a baby Russian Tortoise. It is quite scary because you would think that a breeder would have all up to date care / the information they are giving you is what's best for the tortoise. It's a good thing I know about this forum!

It is much appreciated! Many thanks.