Jessika
09-02-2008, 09:05 PM
One of my instructors at school has a young Russian Tortoise and asked our class if anyone wanted him, and I JUMPED on it! I've wanted a tortoise for a long while now, have done a lot of research in the past but didn't want to pay $100+ for everything from a pet store, nor did I just want to take one from the wild. So this is perfect!
His name is Leeroy Washington (I'm just going to call him Leo for short -- like from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :)) and she says he's very cute :)
My question is, does anyone have any experience with setting up an indoor habitat for a Russian? It's too late in the year for me to even think about building an outdoor pen, and by this time next year I'll be graduated from school and HJ and I were going to get our own apartment (NOT a house yet) while I work till we save up enough money to get a house where we can build an outdoor pen for him. I will probably be living here with my in-laws for the next year or so but I don't think they'd appreciate me digging up their backyard just to house my turtle for a few months next summer.
I plan on using a very large rubbermaid-type tub (I have an extra - long one I used when I moved). For substrate I was going to use a 50/50 play sand + EcoEarth-type mix and maybe get some large rocks to set on one end. I know to have the UVB light as well as a basking light and a place to hide. I know all about diet.
My question is if anyone has any indoor tortoise habitats set up and perhaps you could show me a few pictures and give me a few pointers? I've owned tortoises throughout my childhood but never did nearly as much research as I've done for this guy :) I'm no novice at this, but I'm certainly not an expert. :)
thanks guys!!! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures tomorrow!
His name is Leeroy Washington (I'm just going to call him Leo for short -- like from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :)) and she says he's very cute :)
My question is, does anyone have any experience with setting up an indoor habitat for a Russian? It's too late in the year for me to even think about building an outdoor pen, and by this time next year I'll be graduated from school and HJ and I were going to get our own apartment (NOT a house yet) while I work till we save up enough money to get a house where we can build an outdoor pen for him. I will probably be living here with my in-laws for the next year or so but I don't think they'd appreciate me digging up their backyard just to house my turtle for a few months next summer.
I plan on using a very large rubbermaid-type tub (I have an extra - long one I used when I moved). For substrate I was going to use a 50/50 play sand + EcoEarth-type mix and maybe get some large rocks to set on one end. I know to have the UVB light as well as a basking light and a place to hide. I know all about diet.
My question is if anyone has any indoor tortoise habitats set up and perhaps you could show me a few pictures and give me a few pointers? I've owned tortoises throughout my childhood but never did nearly as much research as I've done for this guy :) I'm no novice at this, but I'm certainly not an expert. :)
thanks guys!!! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures tomorrow!