All Turtles Message Board

Athyna · Level 1 Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 6

Hi, I hoping to adopt an russian tortoise, but I haven't been able to find many pictures of their habitats. I realize it is best for them to be able to live outside so that they do not get respiratory infections, but I also realize it is not always possible to keep them outdoors. Does anyone have an picture or an indoor setup? If so please post it here or if you don't know how to post you can send the pictures to my email at Hunsdon540@cobleskill.edu Thanks.

dixieee · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:13 am Post subject:

hello

they are very interesting species but u have to keep in mind that tortoises in general grow big and need lots of space to live that's why it's almost impossible to keep them indoors.

here are 2 websites i thought might be useful for u:
http://russiantortoise.org/
http://www.pogospals.com/pogospals/Russians_and_Redfoots.html
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Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

Athyna · Level 1 Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 6

Thanks so much for the info it really helped. I live in an apartment building now, but hopefully in a few months will be moving to a house, other wise I would never think of keeping it in an apartment. It will hopefully only be a temporary setup!

dixieee · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 5:29 am Post subject:

oh it's ok then Smile

did u already find one that needs to be adopted or u're still looking? cz if not, u might want to wait till u move and so u can invest in a better permanent setup instead of having to make one for now and another later Smile

_________________
Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

Jericho199 · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 8:26 pm Post subject:

Russian tortoises are probably the best starter tortoise, and definately a good choice if you live in an apartment. They only get 8-10 inches (which is smaller than your average RES).

My best advice is to not use a fish tank or terrerium. Something with more floor space (lots of width). Tanks tend to be long and narrow. Russians live in pretty dry conditions and love to dig. So make sure their substrate is deep enough to bury themselves in. For a substrate, I recommend alfalfa pellets (you can use rabbit food pellets, as they're almost the same thing). It's easy for them to dig in, and most importantly, it's easy to digest. Russians are notorious for eating their bedding.

Try and keep the humidity at or below 50%. They need little water but make sure they always have access to a water dish that is big enough to wade into, and is easy to get in and out of.

Hope that helps.

turtbert · Level 3 Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 272

females grow 8-10" males usually smaller at 6-8".

I would use a tortoise table which needs to be a reasonable size so you can get a proper temperature gradient. I would use a mix of playsand and topsoil for the substrate as this is more natural and probably cheaper, with rocks. You could use some hemp chips in an area for the tortoise to sleep, mine likes to burrow into it! My tortoise will be kept inside until the spring and not hibernated this year, as long as you provide proper conditions thats fine Wink

here is my set up for a baby tortoise

cherbear · Level 2 Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 26

I use 50/50 bed a beast and play sand for substrate and I also put timothy hay in one corner for her to hide under. She loves to do that.

sunny41 · Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 11:35 pm Post subject:

plsu russain tortice are kinda a small size they grow about 4-10 inches.and msot people gave you info.but god when i was reading this this made want to buy an russain tort or the box turtle.
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