Re: possible future russian owner has a few questions

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Posted by Terry on March 06, 2001 at 19:29:05:

In Reply to: possible future russian owner has a few questions posted by Lori on March 06, 2001 at 18:32:48:

Hi Lori,
I wouldn't house a russian tortoise in a rubbermaid container, too small.
I have a pair of Russian torts, they live outdoors year round in a 20'-10' enclosure, a hedge runs along the back wall and there are other plants, logs, rocks , grass and leafy areas also.

If you live in a cooler climate I recommend an outdoor enclosure for the summer, a large indoor enclosure for the winter.Outdoors is better than indoors, even if it's just for the warmer months, if you live in a climate with cold winters. If you live in a warm climate like I do ( Hawaii), outdoors year round is best.

Check out indoor and outdoor enclosures here, check out all the enclosures even the box turtle ones. You can adapt a box turtle enclosure to suit a Russian tort. The photos will give you some ideas.

http://www.turtlecafe.net/habitats.htm

I feed my Russians a variety of leafy greens, Endive, Romaine, Escarole, Chicory, Collards, Dandelions for example.
I add in a little grated carrot or yellow squash.
They also munch on the edible weeds and grass in their enclosure.
They also get hibiscus flowers and leaves and mulberry leaves which I grow in my yard.

Check out edible plants here:

http://www.turtlecafe.net/flowers.htm

Very important is to take the tortoise to a vet as soon after you get it as possible. 99% of Russian tortoises are wild caught and many infested with internal parasites. Ask the vet to do a fecal test, take in a fresh stool sample. This is extremely important for any new Russian tortoise.The tortoise can easily be treated ( by a vet) for parasites/worms but if left untreated it could cause all sorts of health problems.

More info on Russians here:

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield_habitat.html

And here:

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield.html

For even more info join the Russian Tortoise email list. You'll get loads of hands on advise from other people who keep Russian Torts. I've linked the list below.
Hope this helps,
Terry.

Russian Tortoise list.

Follow Ups:

Thanks for all the wonderful information just one more question :-) Lori 03/07/01 (1)
- Re: Thanks for all the wonderful information just one more question :-) Annie Lancaster-TortoiseAid 03/10/01 (0)

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: Hi Lori, : I wouldn't house a russian tortoise in a rubbermaid container, too small. : I have a pair of Russian torts, they live outdoors year round in a 20'-10' enclosure, a hedge runs along the back wall and there are other plants, logs, rocks , grass and leafy areas also. : If you live in a cooler climate I recommend an outdoor enclosure for the summer, a large indoor enclosure for the winter.Outdoors is better than indoors, even if it's just for the warmer months, if you live in a climate with cold winters. If you live in a warm climate like I do ( Hawaii), outdoors year round is best. : : Check out indoor and outdoor enclosures here, check out all the enclosures even the box turtle ones. You can adapt a box turtle enclosure to suit a Russian tort. The photos will give you some ideas. : http://www.turtlecafe.net/habitats.htm : I feed my Russians a variety of leafy greens, Endive, Romaine, Escarole, Chicory, Collards, Dandelions for example. : I add in a little grated carrot or yellow squash. : They also munch on the edible weeds and grass in their enclosure. : They also get hibiscus flowers and leaves and mulberry leaves which I grow in my yard. : Check out edible plants here: : http://www.turtlecafe.net/flowers.htm : Very important is to take the tortoise to a vet as soon after you get it as possible. 99% of Russian tortoises are wild caught and many infested with internal parasites. Ask the vet to do a fecal test, take in a fresh stool sample. This is extremely important for any new Russian tortoise.The tortoise can easily be treated ( by a vet) for parasites/worms but if left untreated it could cause all sorts of health problems. : More info on Russians here: : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield_habitat.html : And here: : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield.html : For even more info join the Russian Tortoise email list. You'll get loads of hands on advise from other people who keep Russian Torts. I've linked the list below. : Hope this helps, : Terry.

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