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Housing
INDOOR: A large 50 GALLON Rubbermaid bin (4ft long x 2ft wide) will suffice temporarily. You'll want to consider something larger for the long term...either by connecting two bins, building a tortoise table or some other form of open-air enclosure. Glass or acrylic aquariums are not ideal for Russian Tortoises for a couple reasons... 1) the torts are confused by the glass and will pace trying to escape and 2) these types of habitats are hard to regulate thermal conditions. There are some great examples of tables, pools and cages in the Russian Tortoises Hermanns and Greeks 2 Facebook group.
The substrate should be a mix of organic topsoil (no additives, with absolutely no guano or fertilizers) and coconut coir. It should be damp enough to clump in your hand when squeezed, but you shouldn't be able to ring out water. |
Does my Tort want a friend?
In short, NO. Tortoises are solitary animals. They travel great distances before seeing another tortoise. When they do encounter another, their goal is to perpetuate the species or kill/run off the tortoise who impinges on his/her territory and dares to deplete his/her resources.
Tortoise males can mate a female to death; males will kill/injure each other. Females, if not in a proper ratio can also be aggressive. Tortoise aggression can look like "cuddling" or "following". Think about young siblings a minute.. imagine never being able to escape the incessant repeating everything you say, following and invading your space, or the real bullies who are physically abusive. Tortoises do not need or want friends. They hatch alone, learn alone and thrive alone. |
Nutrition
Mediterranean type tortoises naturally eat a varied diet of weeds. Many keepers feed what is growing in their or a kind neighbor's yard who doesn't use pesticides or fertilizers. In the winter, many of us use dried weeds and flowers (harvested during the warmer months) and supplement with grocery store greens and spring mix (after spinach is removed).
During the spring and summer, buffets such as this can be easily harvested from a well thought out backyard. We ensure plenty of snapdragons, coneflower, cranesbill, bee balm, hollyhock, rose of Sharon, hibiscus, are all on hand. These are perrenial plants and will come back year after year. Get creative, check out what is tort friendly and help your pollenators at the same time! We also intentionally plant broadleaf weeds like broadleaf plantain, ribbed plantain, dandelion and sow thistle. |
Lighting/Temperatures
We recommend using an MVB (Mercury Vapor Bulb). It will provide heat as well as the UVA and UVB light your tort requires to aid in food digestion and growth. Any of these brands will suffice: PowerSun; MegaRay; SolarGlo. It is important these hang straight down - all are self ballasted and will not work properly if they are at an angle. Additionally, be sure the fixture has a ceramic base. These lights get really hot and may cause fire without the right type of fixture.
One end of the enclosure should be 70F and the other end 95F. You might consider purchasing a temperature gun (about $15) which is more accurate in recording temps in a specific area. Be sure your torts have shade and do not become too hot. They can suffer strokes, sunburns, etc., just like people! |