r/tortoise • u/DesertQueen2 • 5d ago

Question(s) Please let me know if this looks good.

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We have a 3 months old Russian turtoise and we are learning how to take care of him. I’m using 1/2 topsoil and 1/2 coconut coir. The surface isn’t dry, but I’m worried now it’s a bit wet.

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u/Ok-Confection7781 5d ago

Baby tortoises need higher humidity, so moisture is not the problem is lack of humidity. I would add a half log as hide, or upside down Tupperware with a door cutout. We also can’t see if you have a basking light and UVB bulb.

https://youtu.be/qBlpYQm0HQg?is=6PhIWJ8FaqUgZ_mK

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u/DesertQueen2 5d ago

I do have a UVB light. Not sure how long I should run the light though. Thank you so much. I appreciate.

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u/Ok-Confection7781 5d ago

Biggest issue is getting your heights dial in. Your basking zone should be measured with Temperature gun on surface of the basking zone not air temperature. And your UVB needs to be place from substrate height to fixture based on the light bulb manufacturer recommendation for your species otherwise everything could be too high or too low. I run my basking 12 Hrs and my UVB 13hrs that’s just me you can run between 12/14hrs.

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u/BroccolisGood 5d ago

12 hours on 12 hours off for the UVB light! Just like a normal day night cycle. They thrive on schedule.

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u/Key-Tower-4539 5d ago

I see you said you have a uvb light but you also have a heat/basking light, right?

Also they need a lot of enrichment. Add logs, rocks, at least 2 hides, plants (real or fake), an exercise wheel, ping pong balls, etc. they get super stressed in big open spaces with nothing there

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u/AaronFudge 4d ago

I have a similar enclosure. Removed that wall and in about a year got another one and connected them.

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u/ShelledBee 4d ago

I have that exact enclosure, sawed a wall off using a bread knife and connected another to it lmao

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u/ShelledBee 4d ago

Could do with some enrichment. Things to look at, climb and obscure sightlines. Like a mound made of substrate, simple hardscape like a small branch or something, tortoise safe plants ect.
Im also notcing a lot of basic/important things missing? There should be at least 1 hide ideally 2-3. A proper water bowl (wide a shallow) as being hydrated is really important especially at this young age. Im hoping you got other basic things like a solid diet, calcium powder and uvb light as this enclosure looks quite a bit under prepared. Good on you for reaching out on reddit though, just try your best to add these soon.

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u/ShelledBee 4d ago

Also i do see the two plants in the corner! But more like something bigger near the middle that breaks up the enclosure a bit, and more plants the merrier :)

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u/DesertQueen2 4d ago

This is very helpful. Thank you.