New Russian Owner

Reptiking94 · 30-06-2009, 08:19 PM

Hi, I just like 10 minutes ago purchased a Russian Tortoise, Ive researched them on their care for about a week but was wondering a few things, first off, what Watt do you recommend for the tortoise, I got 100 but was just making sure and how often should I bathe him and how high should I fill up the water in his bath, thanks in advance, Reptiking

Kayti R · 30-06-2009, 08:25 PM

Hey, congrats on your new tort!

Wattage is sort of dependent on the size of what your tort is living in. Do you have a tort table? Also, if the air around your enclosure is really cold, you'd want a higher wattage heat lamp. I have a bin that's about 2.5 ft by 3.5 ft, and I put a 100 w lamp on it to keep the basking spot around 90 f.

Hatchling RTs should be bathed once a day, older ones 2-3 times a week is fine. You should fill in comfortably warm water up to the level of their shell, and make sure they can easily hold their heads above the water.

Good luck!

**Alan1** · 30-06-2009, 09:06 PM

It depends on what you are talking about, heaters, lights or what?

Reptiking94 · 30-06-2009, 09:32 PM

Thanks lol, I got like a 3.5 foot by 2 foot tortoise table filled with critter litter, a nice hide box I made, a hollowed coconut shell as his feeding bowl and a little water dish for him to drink and its 100 watts so I think Im fine. Lol I was so nervous making sure he was okay that I havent eaten this whole day lol.

**Alan1** · 30-06-2009, 09:42 PM

100 watt heat/UVB combination bulb?

Reptiking94 · 30-06-2009, 10:38 PM

No I have a 100 Watt heating bulb and a seperate UVB lamp.

anna m · 02-07-2009, 08:05 PM

Not sure about your litter, next time the best thing to use is topsoil

Steph37 · 03-07-2009, 09:47 PM

Horsfields (Russians) should have a equal mix of soil and sand as substrate. Why not put him outside where you wont be using electricity and will be in a more natural habitat. There are some beautiful photos of designs for pens on here, and I've copied some of the ideas, but actually, in the wild, it;'s just very barren-not 'pretty' just dusty sand/soil with a cacti or two and of course a bath/water bowl. Horsfields do dig though but I've put my pens on the patio as grass isnt in their natural environment and it stops me having to put wire three foot underground! Good luck and enjoy! Cant remember what age/size he is? you may need to put wire over the top to stop birds etc

PS Tortoise breeders will tell you not to bother with a strip UV tube as it gives off so little its not worth it. The big combined UV/Heat hanging lamps are good tho if you have to stay inside

lindso3000 · 03-07-2009, 09:49 PM

welcome from me

30-06-2009, 08:19 PM	#1
Reptiking94 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 9	New Russian Owner Hi, I just like 10 minutes ago purchased a Russian Tortoise, Ive researched them on their care for about a week but was wondering a few things, first off, what Watt do you recommend for the tortoise, I got 100 but was just making sure and how often should I bathe him and how high should I fill up the water in his bath, thanks in advance, Reptiking

30-06-2009, 08:25 PM	#2
Kayti R Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 17	Hey, congrats on your new tort! Wattage is sort of dependent on the size of what your tort is living in. Do you have a tort table? Also, if the air around your enclosure is really cold, you'd want a higher wattage heat lamp. I have a bin that's about 2.5 ft by 3.5 ft, and I put a 100 w lamp on it to keep the basking spot around 90 f. Hatchling RTs should be bathed once a day, older ones 2-3 times a week is fine. You should fill in comfortably warm water up to the level of their shell, and make sure they can easily hold their heads above the water. Good luck! __________________ I just started a tortoise blog! http://petnerd.tumblr.com/

03-07-2009, 09:49 PM	#9
lindso3000 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2,675	welcome from me __________________ Keeper of horsfields, redfoots, Hermans, bearded dragon and 2 rats

30-06-2009, 09:06 PM	#3
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	It depends on what you are talking about, heaters, lights or what?

30-06-2009, 09:32 PM	#4
Reptiking94 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 9	Thanks lol, I got like a 3.5 foot by 2 foot tortoise table filled with critter litter, a nice hide box I made, a hollowed coconut shell as his feeding bowl and a little water dish for him to drink and its 100 watts so I think Im fine. Lol I was so nervous making sure he was okay that I havent eaten this whole day lol.

30-06-2009, 09:42 PM	#5
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	100 watt heat/UVB combination bulb?

30-06-2009, 10:38 PM	#6
Reptiking94 Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Midwest Posts: 9	No I have a 100 Watt heating bulb and a seperate UVB lamp.

02-07-2009, 08:05 PM	#7
anna m Senior Member Adult Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 4,091	Not sure about your litter, next time the best thing to use is topsoil

03-07-2009, 09:47 PM	#8
Steph37 Member Hatched Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 361	Horsfields (Russians) should have a equal mix of soil and sand as substrate. Why not put him outside where you wont be using electricity and will be in a more natural habitat. There are some beautiful photos of designs for pens on here, and I've copied some of the ideas, but actually, in the wild, it;'s just very barren-not 'pretty' just dusty sand/soil with a cacti or two and of course a bath/water bowl. Horsfields do dig though but I've put my pens on the patio as grass isnt in their natural environment and it stops me having to put wire three foot underground! Good luck and enjoy! Cant remember what age/size he is? you may need to put wire over the top to stop birds etc PS Tortoise breeders will tell you not to bother with a strip UV tube as it gives off so little its not worth it. The big combined UV/Heat hanging lamps are good tho if you have to stay inside

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