I was trying to have my Russian tortoise in a bigger indoor enclosure for the winter. So I bought two stock tanks and built a wooden ramp between the two of them. The ramp head sides on it so the Russian tortoise could not fall off of it. She ran up and down that thing back-and-forth several times a day. It was hilarious.
The only part of this I disagree with is the rocks. I put rocks I've collected from the beach and then thoroughly cleaned in both of my juvenile Horsefield/Russian Tortoise enclosures and they absolutely love them. I never pile them up in a way that would allow them to escape, but I do use them to create small, sectioned off areas that they can burrow into and they really love going into them and digging up to the rocks which I always half bury in the substrate. When they burrow into these little areas they often dig up against the rocks and it helps to keep their claws filed down so I've never had to worry about trimming them myself. I also like to use some smaller rocks to surround their water bowl - I put them around the same level as the substrate and I've found that surrounding their bowls with these rocks prevents them from dragging too much substrate into the water with them when they do decide to go into it, so the water stays much cleaner for longer. Before I started doing this I'd give them clean water and within minutes the water was filthy and I'd have to replace it up to 3 times a day to keep it clean - now I can give them clean water in a morning and the next day (even though I still replace it, just to be sure) it still usually looks just about as clean as it was when I put it in the previous day, barring the occasional poop... I really wish they wouldn't poop where they're supposed to drink but what can you do to stop them, lol. They also like to stretch out their necks and rest their heads on some of the smaller, lighter coloured rocks that stay cooler than their substrate while they're basking so that they can regulate their temperature, as well as the rocks being a good way of separating the different terrain levels in their enclosure, because as they move around and burrow they tend to move the substrate with them and over time it starts to all become one level - but with a few rocks creating a barrier between one level and another (which also gives them good exercise while climbing over them) it maintains the different levels very effectively and at no cost what so ever. In short, I personally feel that rocks have a lot of benefits, you just have to make sure that you don't use ones that are too big and set them out appropriately, but it's not difficult at all to set them out in a way that prevents them from flipping themselves. The only time mine have ever managed to flip themselves over is when they've propped themselves up vertically in the corners of their enclosures and accidentally pushed themselves backwards, and it has actually been the introduction of a few small rocks in those corners that have prevented them from doing that, believe it or not haha!
I made the mistake of buying a clear tank when i first bought my Russian Tortoise, he did clunk on the glass, I also thought he had enough room in there, saw this video, went to the hardware store, bought some wood, and he now lives in a 2ft by 4 ft enclosure , also made a hut for him out of a box, and got a walk in water bowl on the way. had him less than a year now, glad i upgraded his enclosure , thanks for the tip, great video.
I have been doing a lot of research before I getting my first Russian tortoise. These videos have been incredibly helpful. I do have a few questions though... I understand the problem with glass, I'm less clear on the problem with a screen; If it won't contain enough moister why do so many people have an open top enclosure? Is that a bad idea? So far my plan was to have a wooden enclosure with a metal screen for a roof. Where can you buy a tortoise that hasn't been collected in the wild? Do they mind being picked up?
Before I knew about the glass. I had a Russian tortoise. He never banged his head on the glass he was always curious. Looking around my room. Looking at me see what I was doing. He always knew his feeding time because he saw me coming. I was inexperienced, but I did however take him out of the cage everyday to allow him to walk around and get some exercise. Even go as far to allow him to walk outside on the cement and dig out front. I miss my baby. But I feel bad that he didn’t have the tank that’s required. But he didn’t seem upset or mad. He was just so calm.
Mine is the same way. Never ever once banged against the glass, he would look out and watch. Mostly to see if the cats were watching him again, poor thing when he's inside he's got cats watching him, outside it's the chickens. 😂
I just built a 3’x4’ wood tortoise table homemade and I’m needing ideas for a small waterfall/water fountain feature ideas just to give Mario my Russian tortoise a little more depth to his new home. Any ideas?
well i keep my tortoise in a 40 gallon terrarium and he doesnt seem to ever hit his head on the glass, i cant keep him outside due to my dog and i cant just make a box from him since my dog might try to eat him so for me the terrarium is perfect for me. Everyday i bring him outside into the front yard for about 30 minutes to an hour and he enjoys it.
Help can I get one of the really large hamster balls for my tortoise? It is a Russian tortoise and I’ve seen the 13 inch ones that are pretty big what do you think? I would like for him to be going around the house but I don’t want him to get hurt. Please help
I when some questions: 1. Would slate shaped like longer rocks work too? I saw some on Amazon and I would like some nice flat rocks so that he doesn't need a food bowl anymore. Is it okay as long as I bury them in substrate so that he can't flip over? 2. I have wood chips that are dry. How could I make them moist? Should I just get new moist substrate?
I have a horse field I have a 30 inch 15 watt reptisun hood light and a ceramic heater I I’m planning on making a 6/7ft / 3ft enclosure will the heater be enough on one side or would I need one on each side of the enclosure? Thanks again you do a lot for the community 🤟🏽
have a landscaping place nearby? I always have a store near me that usually sells bulk rocks for landscaping jobs but will sell you individual rocks that are not selling well.
@@ProfessorHerp please do Some friends of mine got a Russian when they split I was given him I would petsit him at my house when they went out of town I am sitting and watching all of your videos on them today I could really use some help with his diet I'm doing baby spring mix yellow squash and carrots a pellet I soak some mixed dried tortoise flowers I have no idea what I'm doing and want o give him the best!!
Dry substrate such as compressed coconut fiber because that's what I have coming now?? My Russian, Clyde, will eat everything I have put in as a substrate. When I take him to the park he will eat dirt and sand, and I don't mean just a little bit, so we don't go over that way now! I tried orchid bark, he would eat that and poop out full chips. I immediately got that out of there and I'm lucky he didn't become impacted. One time out in the back he started gnawing on the wood deck and tried to rip a rusty nail out of the wood. He is an absolute pistol. So, PLEASE tell me the coconut fiber will be OK. he lives inside in a nice-sized setup, has the right temps...my big problem is substrate. Help please😱🐢
sorry for double replying. i got compressed eco earth and me and my russian tortoise love it. since the fibers are small and soft, i dont worry about obstructions even though he tackles his food. i put his food on the opposite side of his feeding plate so less of his food gets dirty or hand feed him leaves and veggies sometimes so that it maintains his beak and he gets used to my hands. once it's rehydrated and theres no hard clumps, it doesn't expand anymore so you don't have to worry about that
@@reese8120 Ah, I am glad to hear that because I bought and received Eco Earth the other day. Coincidentally, I was just getting ready to prepare it! I appreciate your response as it gives me confidence in choosing this substrate for Clyde. Thanks very much again for taking the time to send me your info and text. I have the feeling Clyde will love his new, literally, digs🐢
Best bet is to get a solarmeter. I aim for a reading of 3-3.5. Put at whatever height achieves that. Otherwise, message Arcadia (whoever you use), review their guidelines, and go off their recommendations. All UVB products recommend distances.
I disagree with everything he's saying. And I also have a Russian tortoise. And I've had him for a few months now. And. I also disagree with adding rocks. I'd rather you send for my tortoise and hide away in a 40 gallon aquarium. Has a really big water dish. And a food dish if you guys use rocks. They could swallow the rocks. And then you got to take them to the hospital. I really you send that's meant for the turtle. Orange horses should have eaten before. I use a 40 gallon breeder tank, and that's just big enough just for him. Thank you, bye, bye.😢😢😢😢😢
FYI sorry Patreons! Forgot to add your names in the beginning. It was a long night haha.
Thank you this really helped me because I am getting a Russian tortoise and I know not to buy some of these now
I was trying to have my Russian tortoise in a bigger indoor enclosure for the winter. So I bought two stock tanks and built a wooden ramp between the two of them. The ramp head sides on it so the Russian tortoise could not fall off of it. She ran up and down that thing back-and-forth several times a day. It was hilarious.
Interesting! Wish you could share pics on here haha
@@ProfessorHerp I can post it to your email. What is your email address?
@@nogames8982 professorherpyt@gmail.com
@@ProfessorHerp OK I sent it. Let me know if you don't get it in a while
@@nogames8982 I will check today!
The only part of this I disagree with is the rocks. I put rocks I've collected from the beach and then thoroughly cleaned in both of my juvenile Horsefield/Russian Tortoise enclosures and they absolutely love them. I never pile them up in a way that would allow them to escape, but I do use them to create small, sectioned off areas that they can burrow into and they really love going into them and digging up to the rocks which I always half bury in the substrate. When they burrow into these little areas they often dig up against the rocks and it helps to keep their claws filed down so I've never had to worry about trimming them myself. I also like to use some smaller rocks to surround their water bowl - I put them around the same level as the substrate and I've found that surrounding their bowls with these rocks prevents them from dragging too much substrate into the water with them when they do decide to go into it, so the water stays much cleaner for longer. Before I started doing this I'd give them clean water and within minutes the water was filthy and I'd have to replace it up to 3 times a day to keep it clean - now I can give them clean water in a morning and the next day (even though I still replace it, just to be sure) it still usually looks just about as clean as it was when I put it in the previous day, barring the occasional poop... I really wish they wouldn't poop where they're supposed to drink but what can you do to stop them, lol.
They also like to stretch out their necks and rest their heads on some of the smaller, lighter coloured rocks that stay cooler than their substrate while they're basking so that they can regulate their temperature, as well as the rocks being a good way of separating the different terrain levels in their enclosure, because as they move around and burrow they tend to move the substrate with them and over time it starts to all become one level - but with a few rocks creating a barrier between one level and another (which also gives them good exercise while climbing over them) it maintains the different levels very effectively and at no cost what so ever.
In short, I personally feel that rocks have a lot of benefits, you just have to make sure that you don't use ones that are too big and set them out appropriately, but it's not difficult at all to set them out in a way that prevents them from flipping themselves. The only time mine have ever managed to flip themselves over is when they've propped themselves up vertically in the corners of their enclosures and accidentally pushed themselves backwards, and it has actually been the introduction of a few small rocks in those corners that have prevented them from doing that, believe it or not haha!
Thanks for sharing! Glad to hear a different view point
I made the mistake of buying a clear tank when i first bought my Russian Tortoise, he did clunk on the glass, I also thought he had enough room in there, saw this video, went to the hardware store, bought some wood, and he now lives in a 2ft by 4 ft enclosure , also made a hut for him out of a box, and got a walk in water bowl on the way. had him less than a year now, glad i upgraded his enclosure , thanks for the tip, great video.
I have been doing a lot of research before I getting my first Russian tortoise. These videos have been incredibly helpful. I do have a few questions though... I understand the problem with glass, I'm less clear on the problem with a screen; If it won't contain enough moister why do so many people have an open top enclosure? Is that a bad idea? So far my plan was to have a wooden enclosure with a metal screen for a roof. Where can you buy a tortoise that hasn't been collected in the wild? Do they mind being picked up?
I think the rocks are okay, I mean there are rocks everywhere in the wild and they love to climb since they live at high altitude
Should they have a companion or will they be fine alone ?
Love the videos by the way 😊
Thanks! Russians are very territorial so I would not house two together.
Before I knew about the glass. I had a Russian tortoise. He never banged his head on the glass he was always curious. Looking around my room. Looking at me see what I was doing. He always knew his feeding time because he saw me coming. I was inexperienced, but I did however take him out of the cage everyday to allow him to walk around and get some exercise. Even go as far to allow him to walk outside on the cement and dig out front. I miss my baby. But I feel bad that he didn’t have the tank that’s required. But he didn’t seem upset or mad. He was just so calm.
Mine is the same way. Never ever once banged against the glass, he would look out and watch. Mostly to see if the cats were watching him again, poor thing when he's inside he's got cats watching him, outside it's the chickens. 😂
I just built a 3’x4’ wood tortoise table homemade and I’m needing ideas for a small waterfall/water fountain feature ideas just to give Mario my Russian tortoise a little more depth to his new home. Any ideas?
well i keep my tortoise in a 40 gallon terrarium and he doesnt seem to ever hit his head on the glass, i cant keep him outside due to my dog and i cant just make a box from him since my dog might try to eat him so for me the terrarium is perfect for me. Everyday i bring him outside into the front yard for about 30 minutes to an hour and he enjoys it.
Do you have a link to a similar water bowl? I’m getting a Russian tortoise soon.
Hey can you send me the link you got your water bowl from! I love it and I love the one you have. I can’t find it anywhere!
I made a rock cave, but I'm smarter than your average tortoise. He loves his cave. ( out of slate) like you said, flat rocks..
I use coco husk for a substrate and I’m trying to build a bigger wooden enclosure and he’s got everything I just need a few more things
The water bowl link doesn't work. Do you have another link?
What uvb light would you recommend and heat. Bulb?
how often do i need to completely clear out my substrate and add new substrate?
How about flat beach rock? I found a couple about 5x8
Love the water dish recommended but link does not work...any idea where I can buy this type of water bowl? Appreciate it!
I wish I watched this video BEFORE i got my tortoise!!🤣its good to know these tips though
haha! Thanks for watching now :)
You can use a glass one if it’s big enough as long as you use some sort of covering around the tortoises level so it can’t see through the glads
Do you think that you are the final word on the animals you talk about or are you open to experience?
Help can I get one of the really large hamster balls for my tortoise? It is a Russian tortoise and I’ve seen the 13 inch ones that are pretty big what do you think? I would like for him to be going around the house but I don’t want him to get hurt. Please help
I when some questions:
1. Would slate shaped like longer rocks work too? I saw some on Amazon and I would like some nice flat rocks so that he doesn't need a food bowl anymore. Is it okay as long as I bury them in substrate so that he can't flip over?
2. I have wood chips that are dry. How could I make them moist? Should I just get new moist substrate?
I wouldnt use wood chips. Use a different substrate. How would rocks eliminate a need for a food bowl?
I have a horse field I have a 30 inch 15 watt reptisun hood light and a ceramic heater I I’m planning on making a 6/7ft / 3ft enclosure will the heater be enough on one side or would I need one on each side of the enclosure? Thanks again you do a lot for the community 🤟🏽
I use live edible plants in my russian tortoise enclosure, I was wondering on your opinion about using live plants?
Great! Just don't let them over eat. They will kill off many plants haha
@professor herp, where can I get a slate rock or platform?
have a landscaping place nearby? I always have a store near me that usually sells bulk rocks for landscaping jobs but will sell you individual rocks that are not selling well.
If your using it for basking just a regular brick will do.
Are the wood enclosures ok with the screen tops?
Can you do a video on what I need for a Russian tortoise
This might help: th-cam.com/video/gVVEGjETmS0/w-d-xo.html
Concrete square feom Home Depot ok for them to eat off?
Do you have any other water bowl recommendations? The one you linked is out of stock :(
anything that has a similar walk-in entrance!
2 times a month hu??? Maybe 3 if we're lucky!!?? I need more Russian tortoises content..
What's wrong with the screen
Do you have a full diet list video?
Not yet, but I could.
@@ProfessorHerp please do Some friends of mine got a Russian when they split I was given him I would petsit him at my house when they went out of town I am sitting and watching all of your videos on them today I could really use some help with his diet I'm doing baby spring mix yellow squash and carrots a pellet I soak some mixed dried tortoise flowers I have no idea what I'm doing and want o give him the best!!
Dry substrate such as compressed coconut fiber because that's what I have coming now?? My Russian, Clyde, will eat everything I have put in as a substrate. When I take him to the park he will eat dirt and sand, and I don't mean just a little bit, so we don't go over that way now! I tried orchid bark, he would eat that and poop out full chips. I immediately got that out of there and I'm lucky he didn't become impacted. One time out in the back he started gnawing on the wood deck and tried to rip a rusty nail out of the wood. He is an absolute pistol. So, PLEASE tell me the coconut fiber will be OK. he lives inside in a nice-sized setup, has the right temps...my big problem is substrate. Help please😱🐢
put reptile carpet underneath their food bowls instead of substrate
sorry for double replying. i got compressed eco earth and me and my russian tortoise love it. since the fibers are small and soft, i dont worry about obstructions even though he tackles his food. i put his food on the opposite side of his feeding plate so less of his food gets dirty or hand feed him leaves and veggies sometimes so that it maintains his beak and he gets used to my hands. once it's rehydrated and theres no hard clumps, it doesn't expand anymore so you don't have to worry about that
@@reese8120 Ah, I am glad to hear that because I bought and received Eco Earth the other day. Coincidentally, I was just getting ready to prepare it! I appreciate your response as it gives me confidence in choosing this substrate for Clyde. Thanks very much again for taking the time to send me your info and text. I have the feeling Clyde will love his new, literally, digs🐢
Sorry for the delay! Looks like you have things figured out now though! Let me know if you have an additional questions
What is a good square footage for one adult Russian tort?
6ft x 3ft
What height should the UV and heat lamp be from the Tortoise?
Best bet is to get a solarmeter. I aim for a reading of 3-3.5. Put at whatever height achieves that. Otherwise, message Arcadia (whoever you use), review their guidelines, and go off their recommendations. All UVB products recommend distances.
Can you do more Bearded Dragon videos?
Not anticipating to do such but will think about it!
I disagree with everything he's saying. And I also have a Russian tortoise. And I've had him for a few months now. And. I also disagree with adding rocks. I'd rather you send for my tortoise and hide away in a 40 gallon aquarium.
Has a really big water dish. And a food dish if you guys use rocks. They could swallow the rocks. And then you got to take them to the hospital. I really you send that's meant for the turtle. Orange horses should have eaten before. I use a 40 gallon breeder tank, and that's just big enough just for him.
Thank you, bye, bye.😢😢😢😢😢
First :)
What should I use instead of a screen then?
for what exactly? Sorry, trying to remember what this is referring too.
I got a home for him and everything. To be honest, I’m not sure either😂
@@plzdonthate1000 hahahaha