Russian Tortoise Care: From a Wise Owner

Winter/Hibernation

While some think hibernation is a need, others don’t. When it gets cold Take the tortoise to a vet and ask if its ready to hibernate. You must be SURE it is healthy or you shouldn’t attempt to hibernate it. Ask your vet about what he recommends for a hibernation method. At the age of 5 is when you should consider hibernation. Personally I do not Hibernate and my Tortoises are very active, as long as you keep the temp in the 70s you’ll be fine

Temperature

You need a temp in the 70s and under the heat lamp in the high 80s or low 90s. Humidity is a debated topic where Tortoises burrows can be up to 70% humidity. Every day I have a spray bottle and spray 10 times across the cage.  It is a good amount since the tortoises like it dry.

Breeding

When the tortoises are healthy and the habitat is correct mating will take place. The male with nod his head and bite the female sometimes ripping of scales. After mating the female will not eat too much.  A mound a potting soil should be placed in the cage to lay the eggs in. The female will lay and then just ignore the eggs and not interact with them again. You need to dig it up (carefully) and mark the top with a pencil. Be sure not to tilt the egg or it will die, put the eggs in a incubator that you can find on-line. after about 100 days or so the eggs will hatch.

Hatching Care

The newly hatched tortoise will feed off of the yolk left in their egg shell. you can leave them in the incubator for 2 weeks. Then move to a Tortoise table (not the same as the adult male) and have the same conditions as the adults try to feed them lettuce and only dust the food 2 a week instead of every day.
They will have a yolk sack on their stomach that will grow into their stomach, also they may appear slightly bent, but will grow.

Water

While Tortoises absorb most of their water from their food, A clean shallow water bowl should be kept in their cages at ALL times.

Scuttle Bone

A Scuttle Bone ( usually for parrots) is eaten when the Hatchlings and adult tortoises need extra calcium. Most of the time they will ignore the scuttle bone but it is important.

Soaking

fill a tub with luke-warm water up to the tortoises chin and soak the tortoise about 2 a week. This provides a chance to drink and go to the bathroom ( to keep the cage clean)

• Change the bedding 1 a month

Cheap homes
2 large Rubbermaid tubs that have a connector between them is also a GREAT home for a Russian Tortoise