The alternative to the T-Rex Active UV-Heat or even the Capture Sun Bulbs is using a UVB tube, but because they do not put off any heat, you'll want to use a clamp light as well. i was trimming my tortoises nails and i accidentaly hit the quick is my pet going to be ok if i leave her alone to heal? i just adopted a russian tortoise from a friend. If your tortoise lives outdoors during most of the year and does not naturally hibernate once the outside temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or if he is too sick or underweight for you to allow him to go into hibernation, then you need to overwinter him indoors.

i am not going to feed her for a day or two because she gets so much food at my work.

You can prevent secondary health concerns by still supplementing your tortoise daily. I need to add a little more playsand. Whitney (author) from Georgia on June 12, 2010: It could be nothing. Whitney (author) from Georgia on November 13, 2009: If you couldn't drain it, then you should be fine for more than 2 or 3 days. He is new and getting used to his surroundings. I've had to add an extra heat emitting bulb (no light) in order to keep mine up. she has not come out for water or food i can tell cause the water in her bowl is still clean and clear. They're on my list of someday pets, for sure. During the day, you want to have the temperature on the hot side of the enclosure around 90-95F and the cool side around 70F. Mine are most active when outside bc there's more to explore.

Thanks for the top notch information. Tortoise Club members get a special banner on their posts, unlimited gallery storage space, special offers from our sponsors, upload videos, and more!

We actually had someone drop him off in our rocks in the front yard this morning.....either that or he was wild and just wandered up. It is a dream to have such a nice set up. how important is it to remove the back of a cuttle bone b4 putting it in the enclosure? The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. I also have him take him outside for real sun at least once a day. Recently I adopted an abandoned russian tortoise (I work for an Animal Control facility). Help.

My mom said we could make the enclosure Friday but I'm scared that I'm not ready and I'll torture the tort. I've had my russian tortoise for like 3 years now but after reading this I had my dad make him an outdoor enclosure. Worrying can sometimes be good, but sometimes it can be excessive.

thanx that saves me big time. Not everyone lives in a warm climate year round.

can i keep the glass tank in front of a window and should i put the dark paper on the tank? He's interested in getting a tortoise and wants to learn as much as possible before making the move. ok now as for when she is burried in her burrows how long do they usually stay in there burrows for when they can not see the light? The tubes are cheaper but they're no good. Whitney (author) from Georgia on November 16, 2009: It's normal for reptiles to hide for up to a week sometimes longer. needless to say she's a little confused). I have had my RT since November and love him!

Whitney (author) from Georgia on May 11, 2011: No need to trim your tortoise's claws. The second question is in the winter is it necessary to put a heater outside or will he just go into natural hibernation when the temp drops? BTW, this site is very helpful and informative - thanks!

Turtles have a flat shell, whereas tortoises have a rounded dome shell.

Also, make sure to use the spring mix as your base diet, adding other greens as variation. Choose a natural substrate or bedding for the bottom of the bin and then follow the specific care instructions for housing your species of tortoise indoors. These species should be brought indoors to overwinter in a warm environment until it is safe for them to return to their outdoor enclosure (once it is consistently over 50 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer). Examples of sick tortoises would include those with heavy intestinal parasite burdens, signs of respiratory infections (eye or nasal discharge), wounds, soft shells due to calcium deficiency, or if you have a new tortoise and aren't sure of his health status. we just got our new baby (well i dont know her age) we read your web page over and over before we got her..you have been so helpful..thank you so much..we love her my 6 year old daughter named her jessica ruby lol..but we call her jess..how would i be able to find out her age??? This is exactly what I need! How long should he have him outside? Check the temps and make sure everything is ok. I will invest in the turtle bone if it has things the cuttle bone does not. ok will do. First off, I want to explain a few differences between a turtle and a tortoise. Plus, sand alone is not a suitable substrate.

You don't want the humidity too high. I'd post an ad online and/or in the paper in case someone is looking for their pet. Whitney (author) from Georgia on July 24, 2010: These are the most effective at providing UV similar to that of natural sun. I've seen white worm like larvae in dirty water bowls and water crystals that haven't been properly cared for (left with insects who poo on them without throwing out the dirty crystals regularly, just adding to).

Thank you for all your help i dont know what would have happened if i did not find this site and talk to you about all my questions. Whitney (author) from Georgia on May 05, 2010: I'm not sure, as white things isn't the best description. Leave hear alone.

hi i wanted to ask is it ok if my tortoise doesnot have black spots on its shell. Reptiles, when cold enough, will all slow down their metabolism, but it is unnatural for some.

that I thought he could eat, now I am not sure. i have not seen the bugs since the substrate dried out.I have really excellent vision. It should equal about the same, though. Keep the tortoise indoors until the outdoor temperature is warm enough day and night to return the tortoise to the outdoor habitat. Turtles' front feet are mostly fins, whereas tortoises have hard, scaly feet that are built to crawl across sharp rocks and sand. Where did you get the tortoise? Replant any store bought plants in a non-fertilized soil for several months before offering as a food.

He did have a fungus on his shell and I have to scrub him with medicine twice a day and take a bath in medicine every other day to get rid of it. not easy to kept them and look after those animals, you need special care for them. You never put an enclosure in direct sunlight as it can easily creat the magnifier effect. Whitney (author) from Georgia on April 08, 2010: it's recommended to bring the tortoise inside during the winter.using an alternative source of uv when inside.

I've had him, Borris, for about a month now and he's literally running. If you bought reptile sand you'd be spending an arm and a leg. Before you bring home a pet tortoise, you really should do all the research that your can, so that you don't have any questions about care and diet after you've got the tortoise in your home. We have a season of those and they drop a lot of rain but usually don't last very long. Many tortoises won't even eat them. Ok up to a week but the thing is she has not come out of her hide for over 50 hours now not for basking drinking or to search for food. Playsand can be purchased at a home department store like lowes for about $5 for 50 pounds or so.

How Do I Know if I Need to Overwinter My Tortoise? He is chowing down on the greens. thanx for all your help you have saved me tons of money and answered every question i have and im sure i will be asking more in time. You don't need to put calcium on the food. You need to restrict your tortoise's diet, as captive tortoises get less exercise and they can easily overeat, which can cause rapid growth and a shortened lifespan. We are building it this weekend. Ok sounds like a plan but back on the subject of substrates you said a 50/50 mix of bed a beast and sand i have the bed a beast coconut fiber but what kind of sand do you use there are so many different kinds of sands for reptiles. ok my tort is fine bleeding stopped a few seconds after the trimming. Too much calcium can also cause mal-absorption of fatty acids, as well as the formation of bladder stones. Yes i do worry but it is my nature. Your set up is fantastic. Today I would like to show some pictures of my adult Russian tortoises in their outdoor habitat in our yard. You want the substrate to hold shape if you ball it in your hand. I used to know a guy (moved elsewhere/lost contact) who told me he kept 2 RTs outside year round, here, for several years; I never really saw his set up, and can't truly confirm his claim.

I had no idea how much preparation and care it took to keep a turtle. Keeping other animals and children out is equally as important as keeping the tortoise(s) in.

I've heard of the little white bugs. glassvisage from Northern California on October 10, 2011: Great Hub and photos!

They are very smart and can escape if not housed properly while outside. In all reality, that's all that a Turtle bone is- a cuttle bone in a different wrapper by a different manufacture. And not really eating I'm worried about her is this normal. These guys need large enclosures for a lot of exercise.

Is that going to be ok for him outside?

You can purchase colored storage bins so that you don't have to worry about taping up the bottom. When it comes to getting plants from the garden store, make sure that you replant them for at least 1-3 months in a non-fertilized soil.

I love our Russian Tortoise and he is definitely our longest-living pet :). Whitney (author) from Georgia on November 23, 2009: steve, just relax. You don't want the substrate to be too dry, but not overly moist either. Here you're measuring dry versus dry. Whitney (author) from Georgia on April 09, 2010: They can travel a good ways.

Some species of healthy tortoises that require overwintering indoors (unless you provide a heated, secure outdoor enclosure) if housed outdoors in the warm months include any tropical species of tortoise such as Sulcata tortoises (Geochelone sulcata), Leopard tortoises (Geochelone paradis), Indian Star tortoises (Geochelone elegans), and Red-footed tortoises (Geochelone carbonaria).

What size enclosure? Outside time that the tort should be receiving anyway, should be sufficient from keeping them from an excessive length.

i named her Jasper. As long as your temperatures are good and she is eating and drinking, just let her get adjusted and she'll come around. The width of the enclosure should be 5 times the width of the tort. I understood you; I was just giving my research and experienced opinion as to bringing in the reptile during weather extremes and caring for tortoise inside. Melanie from Midwest, USA on January 04, 2011: Awww the tortoise in the first picture (flikr) is really cute. I can't think of what they're called right now, but they're fine. Thank you! It's not really a good idea to offer them. I use about 3-4 blocks and the sand, which only gives about 3 inches of substrate give or take. They break down to sugars. she loves her new home. Even if you house your tortoise outside, you should still supplement calcium daily. you say to use a 50/50 mix by weight or volume? Is that enough variety? It entices them to eat it, and it impacts their intestines as it is NOT digestable. I'll definitely be using the organic topsoil when I start running low on bed a beast blocks. ok she ate last wed and has been in and out of the water dish she relieved herself of both liquid and solid waste after she ate on wednesday all before she went into her hide saturday morning she has been there ever since going on 50 hours now.