This is part of an email I sent to a tortiosing friend, asking questions

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Posted by Paco on August 04, 2000 at 10:16:30:

In Reply to: Eep, sorry, i found info down further, I still do have some questions tho posted by Paco on August 04, 2000 at 00:06:15:

Hey again, I keep replying to my own messages, hrm. This is a portion of a email I sent to a friend, who raises red footed tortioses. These are all the questions I can think of right now, but I now more will pop up as different situations arise.

The reason we are getting Russian is because they are the only type they have in my area, as far as we can tell. As you know, I live in Colorado plains, where it is dry. From November to March there is light snows. Otherwise, during the summer it can get to around the high 90s.

First off, how would you transport a 6 inch long tortiose for an hour long drive home? They don't have any hatchlings, so I have to get an...adult, I think. Is a 6 inch long Russian an adult?

2nd - Can you describe what your tortiose eats again? I heard I can buy garden salads and just feed him that, but I want my (my mom's) tortiose to be as healthy as possible. I feed him twice a day correct?

3rd - Turtles enjoy fairly warm temperatures and light, correct? That means I wouldn't be able to keep them in my room, as I keep mine dark, with my air conditioner (I'm so spoiled) running full blast.

4th - Hibernation...do they do this on their own? I don't need to force them to sleep or anything, correct? How do you know if a tortiose is dead? Have you ever had a tortiose die on you?

5th - Are they fairly low maintenece? I don't really care, as I have all the time in the world on my hands, but I'm just wondering how many hours a day you spend doing stuff for your tortiose.

6th - The Vivarium: We were going to use my 20 gallon fish tank, but I have read that is too small, and they don't enjoy being in aquariums. Can you describe your vivarium? Did you buy it or make it? I heard that kiddie pools are good. That would make it harder to put on basking and UV lamps, correct? Do you also have an outdoor pen?

7th - Accessories: So far, I know I need a UV lamp, a basking lamp, and that's about it. Do I need a thermometer? Heat rock? Heating pad? He'll need a tiny pool, a drinking pool, and a food dish, correct? Anything else? Of course, this all depends on what I will actually use for the vivarium. If I'm forced to build my own, this could get interesting.

8th - Is your vivarium on the floor, or on a desk, or what?

9th - Anything else I need to know? I'm gonna take him to a reptile vet when I get him, to check for stool parasites, and such. I know you should wash your hands before and after you touch them. Vivariums should have a cool side and a warm side, correct? Arg, I need to know so much.\conditioner factor come into play? I also like to keep my room dark, but tortioses like the light, correct? Thanks

I guess that's it, thanks all

Follow Ups:

Re: Hi Paco - RE: Russian Tortoises Leslie 08/07/00 (0)
Re: This is part of an email I sent to a tortiosing friend, asking questions brad 08/04/00 (0)
Thanks Eric T. Is the bottom of your vivarium covered with sand? Paco 08/04/00 (7)
- Re: Thanks Eric T. Is the bottom of your vivarium covered with sand? Eric T. 08/04/00 (0)
- Re: Thanks Eric T. Is the bottom of your vivarium covered with sand? KATHY 08/04/00 (5)
  - The Vivarium, and other such questions -Long- Paco 08/04/00 (4)
    - Re: The Vivarium, and other such questions -Long- Terry 08/04/00 (3)
      - Paco's new vivarium design - Long Paco 08/04/00 (2)
        
        Re: Paco's new vivarium design - Long Terry 08/04/00 (1)
        
        Re: Paco's new vivarium design - Long/ More info Terry 08/04/00 (0)
Re: Russian torts / long post Eric T. 08/04/00 (0)

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: Hey again, I keep replying to my own messages, hrm. This is a portion of a email I sent to a friend, who raises red footed tortioses. These are all the questions I can think of right now, but I now more will pop up as different situations arise. : <snip> : The reason we are getting Russian is because they are the only type they have in my area, as far as we can tell. As you know, I live in Colorado plains, where it is dry. From November to March there is light snows. Otherwise, during the summer it can get to around the high 90s. : First off, how would you transport a 6 inch long tortiose for an hour long drive home? They don't have any hatchlings, so I have to get an...adult, I think. Is a 6 inch long Russian an adult? : 2nd - Can you describe what your tortiose eats again? I heard I can buy garden salads and just feed him that, but I want my (my mom's) tortiose to be as healthy as possible. I feed him twice a day correct? : 3rd - Turtles enjoy fairly warm temperatures and light, correct? That means I wouldn't be able to keep them in my room, as I keep mine dark, with my air conditioner (I'm so spoiled) running full blast. : 4th - Hibernation...do they do this on their own? I don't need to force them to sleep or anything, correct? How do you know if a tortiose is dead? Have you ever had a tortiose die on you? : 5th - Are they fairly low maintenece? I don't really care, as I have all the time in the world on my hands, but I'm just wondering how many hours a day you spend doing stuff for your tortiose. : 6th - The Vivarium: We were going to use my 20 gallon fish tank, but I have read that is too small, and they don't enjoy being in aquariums. Can you describe your vivarium? Did you buy it or make it? I heard that kiddie pools are good. That would make it harder to put on basking and UV lamps, correct? Do you also have an outdoor pen? : 7th - Accessories: So far, I know I need a UV lamp, a basking lamp, and that's about it. Do I need a thermometer? Heat rock? Heating pad? He'll need a tiny pool, a drinking pool, and a food dish, correct? Anything else? Of course, this all depends on what I will actually use for the vivarium. If I'm forced to build my own, this could get interesting. : 8th - Is your vivarium on the floor, or on a desk, or what? : 9th - Anything else I need to know? I'm gonna take him to a reptile vet when I get him, to check for stool parasites, and such. I know you should wash your hands before and after you touch them. Vivariums should have a cool side and a warm side, correct? Arg, I need to know so much.\conditioner factor come into play? I also like to keep my room dark, but tortioses like the light, correct? Thanks : <snip> : I guess that's it, thanks all

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