Re: First Tortoise

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

Posted by brad wilson on June 20, 2002 at 11:35:31:

In Reply to: First Tortoise posted by Trevor on June 20, 2002 at 10:21:49:

40 gallon tank is far too small for any adult tortoise.

I have 5 adult russians (and one hatchling [in photo]) and one hingeback. The hingeback is only 4.75" long but uses up every inch of its enclosure which is 36"x28" (or 7 square feet). It cruises around, basks, eats, sleeps under its log, etc. Depending on how big it eventually gets, I may have to get a larger enclosure.

My russians spend 6 months outdoors. 4 of them live in an 8'x8' pen. One (an aggressive male) lives in a 6'x3' pen. These guys make full use of the area they have, and I can tell they would like to have even more space. They inspect every inch of the pen, graze, bask on rocks, lay eggs, mate (not in that order :} ), in other words they live a full life. When I bring them indoors (October) for the rest of the year they share smaller quarters. Two or three tortoises in a 13 sq ft space, one in a 7sq ft space, and another (sometimes) in a 40g. All they do is bask and poop. And claw at the corners. Eventually I hibernate them for 8 weeks (December/January) then they are indoors until April.

I plan on giving them more indoor space.

Keeping them outdoors (when possible) is the best thing for them (in my experience.) Keeping them indoors in the largest space you can provide can work if you are willing to put in the effort to create an interesting environment for them.

Diet can consist of some grocery greens (collards, mustard greens, endive, etc.) along with pesticide/herbicide-free weeds like dandelions, plantain, clover, some grass,etc.

There really is a fair amount of maintenance with tortoises.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: 40 gallon tank is far too small for any adult tortoise. : I have 5 adult russians (and one hatchling [in photo]) and one hingeback. The hingeback is only 4.75" long but uses up every inch of its enclosure which is 36"x28" (or 7 square feet). It cruises around, basks, eats, sleeps under its log, etc. Depending on how big it eventually gets, I may have to get a larger enclosure. : My russians spend 6 months outdoors. 4 of them live in an 8'x8' pen. One (an aggressive male) lives in a 6'x3' pen. These guys make full use of the area they have, and I can tell they would like to have even more space. They inspect every inch of the pen, graze, bask on rocks, lay eggs, mate (not in that order :} ), in other words they live a full life. When I bring them indoors (October) for the rest of the year they share smaller quarters. Two or three tortoises in a 13 sq ft space, one in a 7sq ft space, and another (sometimes) in a 40g. All they do is bask and poop. And claw at the corners. Eventually I hibernate them for 8 weeks (December/January) then they are indoors until April. : I plan on giving them more indoor space. : Keeping them outdoors (when possible) is the best thing for them (in my experience.) Keeping them indoors in the largest space you can provide can work if you are willing to put in the effort to create an interesting environment for them. : Diet can consist of some grocery greens (collards, mustard greens, endive, etc.) along with pesticide/herbicide-free weeds like dandelions, plantain, clover, some grass,etc. : There really is a fair amount of maintenance with tortoises.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

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