Re: russians

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Posted by Marissa on July 22, 2001 at 20:47:14:

In Reply to: russians posted by Heather on July 22, 2001 at 18:12:36:

Hi Heather,

You will probably want to make sure your Russian has been vet checked and that a fecal sample has been examined for worms/parasites. Worms in WC Russians are VERY common (almost to be expected) but you want to take care of them in your home of course.

The lines on a tortoise's shell does not really tell the age, so don't go by that.

Also, a glass fishtank is not a good way to really house a tortoise, in addition to the fact that you are noticing that tortoises dont' really "get" the concept of glass. MUCH better to house indoors in a nice spacious wooden indoor pen that you can build easily, or at least a large shallow Rubbermaid tub for now. Glass also traps heat, making it hard to create a proper temperature gradient and also making it hard to maintain a good level of hydration in the tortoises. I've found that housing sometimes make all the difference...

I don't like the calci-sand or the coconut bark. Lizard Litter is hard to walk on as there is no traction, it's too light. For indoor housing I LOVE the CareFresh bedding. Most pet shops carry it, look around for it. It's easy to keep clean, doensn't smell, and has traction and is soft and "comfy" also. You will like it, I'm sure.

Also about her defecating and urinating while soaking, that is normal. BUT, how often do you soak her? And what is the diet you are feeding? That always has alot to do with it.

Below is a link to a great care site for Russians..

Russian Tortoise Guide

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: Hi Heather, : You will probably want to make sure your Russian has been vet checked and that a fecal sample has been examined for worms/parasites. Worms in WC Russians are VERY common (almost to be expected) but you want to take care of them in your home of course. : The lines on a tortoise's shell does not really tell the age, so don't go by that. : Also, a glass fishtank is not a good way to really house a tortoise, in addition to the fact that you are noticing that tortoises dont' really "get" the concept of glass. MUCH better to house indoors in a nice spacious wooden indoor pen that you can build easily, or at least a large shallow Rubbermaid tub for now. Glass also traps heat, making it hard to create a proper temperature gradient and also making it hard to maintain a good level of hydration in the tortoises. I've found that housing sometimes make all the difference... : I don't like the calci-sand or the coconut bark. Lizard Litter is hard to walk on as there is no traction, it's too light. For indoor housing I LOVE the CareFresh bedding. Most pet shops carry it, look around for it. It's easy to keep clean, doensn't smell, and has traction and is soft and "comfy" also. You will like it, I'm sure. : Also about her defecating and urinating while soaking, that is normal. BUT, how often do you soak her? And what is the diet you are feeding? That always has alot to do with it. : Below is a link to a great care site for Russians..

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