Re: Russian tortoise questions for a beginner (sorry, long...)

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by sonja on April 26, 2000 at 00:49:49:

In Reply to: Russian tortoise questions for a beginner (sorry, long...) posted by Michelle on April 25, 2000 at 23:34:30:

i use a combination of alfalfa pellets, dirt (without perlite) and reptile bark. I know some don't like the bark, but i like it mixed in with the dirt. I've heard not to use aspen shavings with tortoises, but i'm not sure. i just read niki uses them, so maybe they are okay. i also put some small rocks at one end of the enclosure so he can climb around. they love to dig and climb and explore. his outside enclosure is quite big as they love to roam. they are GREAT escape artists though and must be very secure. mine dug a hole 6 inches deep the first 4 hours he was in his new cage. they also need a place to hide. I've never seen captive bred russians for sale. as they get more popular they will probably become available. most wc ones will need to be wormed. costs vary according to where you live. the vets around my area charge $50 just for walking in the door and $20 and up for tests. Hibernation sounds scary to me too. i semi hibernate my desert torts. i havn't hibernated my russian yet. some people put them in their fridge. some keep in the garage. we have a small playhouse outside. if it gets too cold though i have to move them around. we watch the temps very carefully all winter long. good luck and you can always email me if you have any more questions. hope this helps.

Follow Ups:

Thanks Brian & Sonja! Do you think this would work as a Russian substrate? Michelle 04/26/00 (2)
- re: substrate, cypress mulch, hibernation article Heather 04/26/00 (1)
  - heather........ sonja 04/29/00 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: i use a combination of alfalfa pellets, dirt (without perlite) and reptile bark. I know some don't like the bark, but i like it mixed in with the dirt. I've heard not to use aspen shavings with tortoises, but i'm not sure. i just read niki uses them, so maybe they are okay. i also put some small rocks at one end of the enclosure so he can climb around. they love to dig and climb and explore. his outside enclosure is quite big as they love to roam. they are GREAT escape artists though and must be very secure. mine dug a hole 6 inches deep the first 4 hours he was in his new cage. they also need a place to hide. I've never seen captive bred russians for sale. as they get more popular they will probably become available. most wc ones will need to be wormed. costs vary according to where you live. the vets around my area charge $50 just for walking in the door and $20 and up for tests. Hibernation sounds scary to me too. i semi hibernate my desert torts. i havn't hibernated my russian yet. some people put them in their fridge. some keep in the garage. we have a small playhouse outside. if it gets too cold though i have to move them around. we watch the temps very carefully all winter long. good luck and you can always email me if you have any more questions. hope this helps.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]