Questions about Hector's Care
Posted: 03 Jun 2017, 13:46
Hector is a 9-month-old Russian Tortoise. He came to us in November. I've spent the last year researching, but still have many questions. I will attempt to be as clear as possible.
1. I purchased Miracle Grow Potting Soil. Is it safe for him if I use this to grow his food? The seeds were purchased from Carolina Pet Supply (broadleaf and Russian mix.)
2. How much food and how often? He isn't showing signs of obesity, but I haven't been weighing him, either. The only information I could find was if they can't suck themselves in, they're fat. He leaves food when he's had enough and he takes his time eating. We have cactus pads growing in the enclosure and he munches on them from time to time.
3. He gets daily soaks because he loves his routine. He gets very grumpy when we don't follow it, lol! Is this ever a problem... like can he soak TOO much? We can't adequately keep water in the enclosure because it evaporates too quickly. I like the better safe than sorry theory.
4. We put TNT powder and calcium powder (homemade from the breeder) on his food Mon., Wed., and Fri. Is this too much? Is it not enough? We put a small pinch of each scattered over his greens after we've misted them.
5. Concerning an outdoor enclosure: we will not ever allow him to be outside unattended. We live on 6.5 wooded acres and the opportunity for predation is enormous. That being said, we are making him a 3x3 enclosure for his use outside (100% attended.) We will put coconut coir as the substrate, plant it a little, and allow him to bask. What exact temperature marks a safety zone for him to be outside? We live in Salem County, NJ, USA. We are zone 7a according to the USDA. As I stated earlier, he's still little and I've not had him outdoors yet.
6. He LOVES his baths. He seems to get feisty when the water drops below 90 degrees. What is the maximum temperature we can start the water at so we can keep him comfortable longer? We now start his water at 95 degrees, as I once read the range of 85 - 95 is proper.
As an aside, I love your site, I love who you guys are, and I love what you do. Our family has learned much from the site! I had a very pleasant and helpful e-mail exchange with (I believe) Lin a few months back when I got mad at all the conflicting information on tortoise care! I seriously appreciate what you do. If my family can ever help, please don't hesitate to reach out!
The added page on how you do your research and deem something unsafe/safe is AWESOME! Just sayin'.
Hector now has his own dedicated greenhouse so we don't mess up and offer him something unsafe. Keep up the great work and I look forward to supporting your site in the near future.
Warmly,
Michelle Darby and family
1. I purchased Miracle Grow Potting Soil. Is it safe for him if I use this to grow his food? The seeds were purchased from Carolina Pet Supply (broadleaf and Russian mix.)
2. How much food and how often? He isn't showing signs of obesity, but I haven't been weighing him, either. The only information I could find was if they can't suck themselves in, they're fat. He leaves food when he's had enough and he takes his time eating. We have cactus pads growing in the enclosure and he munches on them from time to time.
3. He gets daily soaks because he loves his routine. He gets very grumpy when we don't follow it, lol! Is this ever a problem... like can he soak TOO much? We can't adequately keep water in the enclosure because it evaporates too quickly. I like the better safe than sorry theory.
4. We put TNT powder and calcium powder (homemade from the breeder) on his food Mon., Wed., and Fri. Is this too much? Is it not enough? We put a small pinch of each scattered over his greens after we've misted them.
5. Concerning an outdoor enclosure: we will not ever allow him to be outside unattended. We live on 6.5 wooded acres and the opportunity for predation is enormous. That being said, we are making him a 3x3 enclosure for his use outside (100% attended.) We will put coconut coir as the substrate, plant it a little, and allow him to bask. What exact temperature marks a safety zone for him to be outside? We live in Salem County, NJ, USA. We are zone 7a according to the USDA. As I stated earlier, he's still little and I've not had him outdoors yet.
6. He LOVES his baths. He seems to get feisty when the water drops below 90 degrees. What is the maximum temperature we can start the water at so we can keep him comfortable longer? We now start his water at 95 degrees, as I once read the range of 85 - 95 is proper.
As an aside, I love your site, I love who you guys are, and I love what you do. Our family has learned much from the site! I had a very pleasant and helpful e-mail exchange with (I believe) Lin a few months back when I got mad at all the conflicting information on tortoise care! I seriously appreciate what you do. If my family can ever help, please don't hesitate to reach out!
The added page on how you do your research and deem something unsafe/safe is AWESOME! Just sayin'.
Hector now has his own dedicated greenhouse so we don't mess up and offer him something unsafe. Keep up the great work and I look forward to supporting your site in the near future.
Warmly,
Michelle Darby and family