Re: Russian tort (Beginner)

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Posted by brad on October 23, 2000 at 04:15:15:

In Reply to: Russian tort (Beginner) posted by Kris on October 23, 2000 at 01:55:28:

Temps: Daytime - Range of 70-85F (meaning you don't keep the entire enclosure 85, but only one
corner will be 85 (basking light), the rest will be cooler) At night allow it no lower than about 65F. If you
are keeping it outdoors be sure to provide a place
for the tort to get out of more extreme temps.

Food: Green leafies in the form of weeds (dandelion, plantain, clover, grass, etc.) and some grocery items (turnip greens, collard greens, endive, romaine, etc.) Use vitamin and calcium/d3 powders once a week. If you keep the
tort outdoors all or most of the time, you don't need d3 supplement. Repcal makes some good stuff. So does Minerall.

Hibernation: Don't do it the first year. You need to be sure the animal is 100% healthy and that takes time. Read up on it and the other topics about tort care at www.tortoisetrust.org.

Soaking: People do this as a precaution against dehydration. My russians avoid a water bowl if I put one in their enclosure. To make sure they
get enough water, I put them in shallow (about 1"), lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. They
drink a little and poop a lot. I do this a couple times a week. If your tort will use a shallow water bowl, then you won't have to soak as often. Also read about it at tortoise trust.

General health: russian torts are heavily stressed after being imported. Take it and a fresh fecal sample to a vet who knows tortoises.

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: Temps: Daytime - Range of 70-85F (meaning you don't keep the entire enclosure 85, but only one : corner will be 85 (basking light), the rest will be cooler) At night allow it no lower than about 65F. If you : are keeping it outdoors be sure to provide a place : for the tort to get out of more extreme temps. : Food: Green leafies in the form of weeds (dandelion, plantain, clover, grass, etc.) and some grocery items (turnip greens, collard greens, endive, romaine, etc.) Use vitamin and calcium/d3 powders once a week. If you keep the : tort outdoors all or most of the time, you don't need d3 supplement. Repcal makes some good stuff. So does Minerall. : Hibernation: Don't do it the first year. You need to be sure the animal is 100% healthy and that takes time. Read up on it and the other topics about tort care at www.tortoisetrust.org. : Soaking: People do this as a precaution against dehydration. My russians avoid a water bowl if I put one in their enclosure. To make sure they : get enough water, I put them in shallow (about 1"), lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. They : drink a little and poop a lot. I do this a couple times a week. If your tort will use a shallow water bowl, then you won't have to soak as often. Also read about it at tortoise trust. : General health: russian torts are heavily stressed after being imported. Take it and a fresh fecal sample to a vet who knows tortoises.

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