Re: New Russian

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Posted by Joey Buchan on November 05, 2000 at 03:12:22:

In Reply to: New Russian posted by Dalley on November 05, 2000 at 00:26:24:

Hi Dalley,

I don't know much about Russians, but I will let you in on a little basic tort care that I know (I'm still quite new to this myself). I'm sure some of those way more experienced than myself will throw in their 2 cents worth also. :)

If you just have a heat lamp in the kitchen and they're getting most of their light from the window, they're probably not getting enough UVB light. From what I've heard and read on here, windows filter out almost all of the "good stuff" in sunshine so what does get through doesn't do them much good. They probably enjoy it and it feels good to them to lay in, but it's probably not helping much. You'll want to go out and get a good UVB light. A good one is ZooMed's ReptiSun. Another is the ActiveHeat lamps, although I don't know alot about them.

As far as aquariums go, you'll definately want to keep them in something else. Torts neet to be able to thermoregulate (did I spell that right??) themselves. When they get hot, they need to be able to move to a cool spot, and when they've been cool enough they need to be able to get up and go to a warm spot. Aquariums won't let them do this. It traps all the heat in. If you heat up one end it will usually travel to the other and the tort can't find a cool spot. I'm not sure what to suggest for 2 Russians, but you'll probably need something fairly large and open-aired. Somebody else on here could probably give you some great suggestions. Unless they're in a very secure place, I wouldn't let them roam. Torts like to explore and roam and if you don't keep an eye on them they can get into all kinds of trouble (snacking on electric cords, etc).

In answer to your last question, I believe the main difference between torts & turtles is that as a general rule turtles are aquatic while tort's stay on the land. Technically, I believe a box turtle is really a tort because he stays on the land...even though he's called a turtle.

I hope some of this was helpful to you. Have fun with your new friends. They're alot of work and there's so much to learn, but they really are worth it! :) If you haven't already, join one of the groups at egroups.com. There are some great tort groups there. Take care!

Joey
Charlottesville, VA

: I recently purchased 2 Russian Tortoises and was told by a friend that she lets her box turtles roam the house. I have a heat lamp in the kitchen along with a hide box on a a heat pad. The tortoises lay in the sun that comes in through the window. Is this enough UV light? I feed them in the morning and then put them in a tub of shallow water for about fifteen minutes. Is it important that you keep tortoises in an aquarium or am I okay letting them roam. What is the differance between a turtle and a tortoise? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Dalley

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: : Hi Dalley, : I don't know much about Russians, but I will let you in on a little basic tort care that I know (I'm still quite new to this myself). I'm sure some of those way more experienced than myself will throw in their 2 cents worth also. :) : If you just have a heat lamp in the kitchen and they're getting most of their light from the window, they're probably not getting enough UVB light. From what I've heard and read on here, windows filter out almost all of the "good stuff" in sunshine so what does get through doesn't do them much good. They probably enjoy it and it feels good to them to lay in, but it's probably not helping much. You'll want to go out and get a good UVB light. A good one is ZooMed's ReptiSun. Another is the ActiveHeat lamps, although I don't know alot about them. : As far as aquariums go, you'll definately want to keep them in something else. Torts neet to be able to thermoregulate (did I spell that right??) themselves. When they get hot, they need to be able to move to a cool spot, and when they've been cool enough they need to be able to get up and go to a warm spot. Aquariums won't let them do this. It traps all the heat in. If you heat up one end it will usually travel to the other and the tort can't find a cool spot. I'm not sure what to suggest for 2 Russians, but you'll probably need something fairly large and open-aired. Somebody else on here could probably give you some great suggestions. Unless they're in a very secure place, I wouldn't let them roam. Torts like to explore and roam and if you don't keep an eye on them they can get into all kinds of trouble (snacking on electric cords, etc). : In answer to your last question, I believe the main difference between torts & turtles is that as a general rule turtles are aquatic while tort's stay on the land. Technically, I believe a box turtle is really a tort because he stays on the land...even though he's called a turtle. : I hope some of this was helpful to you. Have fun with your new friends. They're alot of work and there's so much to learn, but they really are worth it! :) If you haven't already, join one of the groups at egroups.com. There are some great tort groups there. Take care! : Joey : Charlottesville, VA : : : I recently purchased 2 Russian Tortoises and was told by a friend that she lets her box turtles roam the house. I have a heat lamp in the kitchen along with a hide box on a a heat pad. The tortoises lay in the sun that comes in through the window. Is this enough UV light? I feed them in the morning and then put them in a tub of shallow water for about fifteen minutes. Is it important that you keep tortoises in an aquarium or am I okay letting them roam. What is the differance between a turtle and a tortoise? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Dalley

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