Re: CARE OF RUSSIAN TORTOISES

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ]

Posted by Terry on August 01, 2001 at 16:29:02:

In Reply to: CARE OF RUSSIAN TORTOISES posted by Ross on August 01, 2001 at 13:02:45:

Hi Ross.
My Russians are housed outdoors year round. I live in Hawaii though where the weather makes outdoor living possible for my torts.

It doesn't get cool enough here for them to even think about hibernating.
They are healthy, active and doing very well.
You can over winter your Russians indoors if you don't want to hibernate them.
Just keep up the heat/lighting and feeding as though it's a year round summer.
It's not recommended to hibernate a tortoise the first year you have it. And never hibernate a tortoise that is less than 100% healthy.

99% of Russians are wild caught so a vet visit including fecal test is an absolute must. This should be done asap as possible after purchasing them.

Here are some more web sites with info on Russian tortoises:

http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/russian2.html

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

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

Explore this next site well, although it's geared to UK tortoise keepers you'll find lots of useful info. Great outdoor enclosures too in the Tortoise Garden section:

http://www.tortoiselife.co.uk/

More enclosure ideas here:

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

Over wintering and hibernation info here:

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

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

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

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

Finaly check out the web site below. Scroll to the bottom of the home page for lots of links.
I also recommend joining the Russian Tortoise list serve at Yahoo, you'll find a link half way down, on the left side of the home page.
A great email list. Members include experts, breeders, long time keepers and beginners. A very friendly and inforative email group, for anybody who keeps Russian tortoises.
Hope this helps.
Terry.

Russian Tortoise web site and email group...........

Follow Ups:

Terry... Marissa 08/01/01 (2)
- Re: Terry... Terry 08/02/01 (1)
  - Re: Terry... Marissa 08/02/01 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: : Hi Ross. : My Russians are housed outdoors year round. I live in Hawaii though where the weather makes outdoor living possible for my torts. : It doesn't get cool enough here for them to even think about hibernating. : They are healthy, active and doing very well. : You can over winter your Russians indoors if you don't want to hibernate them. : Just keep up the heat/lighting and feeding as though it's a year round summer. : It's not recommended to hibernate a tortoise the first year you have it. And never hibernate a tortoise that is less than 100% healthy. : 99% of Russians are wild caught so a vet visit including fecal test is an absolute must. This should be done asap as possible after purchasing them. : Here are some more web sites with info on Russian tortoises: : http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/russian2.html : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield_habitat.html : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield.html : Explore this next site well, although it's geared to UK tortoise keepers you'll find lots of useful info. Great outdoor enclosures too in the Tortoise Garden section: : http://www.tortoiselife.co.uk/ : More enclosure ideas here: : http://www.turtlecafe.net/habitats.htm : Over wintering and hibernation info here: : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/overwinter.html : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/hints.html : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/safer.html : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/hib.html : Finaly check out the web site below. Scroll to the bottom of the home page for lots of links. : I also recommend joining the Russian Tortoise list serve at Yahoo, you'll find a link half way down, on the left side of the home page. : A great email list. Members include experts, breeders, long time keepers and beginners. A very friendly and inforative email group, for anybody who keeps Russian tortoises. : Hope this helps. : Terry. :

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ]