Hello! I require some advice. I have two Torts and I just want to make them happy. I would like your advice on some things. 1. I use a R-Zilla combo light for heat and the required uva-uvb lights. Should I turn off the lights at night or leave the one on? 2. I have a large aquarium for them, 75 gallon but humidity is a problem, any advice on higher humidity? 3. do torts skin shed? there shells are nice and have rich black spots and patterns but my torts have slight skin pealing. Its that a result of bad humidity or do they naturally shed? 4. I feed my Torts the best money can buy. I work at a produce shop and I get them Olivia's organic salads and shred carrots and sprinkle tortoise vitamins! but for water they always hit it over and never drink it. is that bad? 5. Heating pads, With the tank I am afraid they won't penetrate the bottom of the tank and give them any heat and may be a fire hazard, Is that true?Thank you so much for your videos and please any advice you can give to a new tort owner would be wonderful!!
Minimum size enclosure for one Russian specimen should be 4ft x 2ft. For two, you should have a 6 ft x 4ft, minimum. Torts have an innate wandering nature and require enclosures with lots of floor space. Also, torts have a tough time with the concept of glass. Building a "turtle table" is the best way to house torts indoors. Here's some instructions for one, just adjust the dimensions:
http://www.unc.edu/~dtkirkpa/stuff/table… pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com 1) If you are using a coiled/compact UVB I highly recommend that you get rid of it and get a long tube UVB bulb instead. They are known to cause severe eye damage and/or blindness in reptiles, not to mention they have trouble maintaining UVB output over time. Zoomed's Reptisun is one of the best on the market to date:
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/rept… The strengths of the bulbs tell you how far into the enclosure the UVB light will penetrate. For example, a 10.0 will reach about 18 inches into the enclosure, and a 5.0 will reach about 12 inches. Be sure to replace the UVB bulb according to the manufacturers recommendation, after which time the bulb will no longer produce UVB even if visible light still is.
The basking temp should be 90 - 95 F. UVB and basking temp should be available for 10 - 12 hours a day. As long as the room temp stays in the 70's F you do not need anything on at night. If your home is much cooler at night, them night time heating should be used. Ceramic heat emitters would be best (they don't emit any light.)
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com 2) The substrate choice can help to keep humidity higher. Russians should have a 50/50 mix of children's play sand and coconut coir bedding OR organic potting soil (no added chemicals or Perlite.) Keep the bedding lightly moistened and well mixed to help with humidity and to prevent compaction and bacteria/fungal growth in the bedding. Make the bedding a good 3 inches deep; torts do enjoy digging.
3) Yes, all reptiles shed their skin regularly. Regular soaking in tepid water will ensure proper hydration and help keep the skin moistened for easier shedding.
4) "Lettuces" have litte nutritional value. Russians should have mostly dark leafy greens, like collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, endive, escarole, clover, mulberry leaves, and watercress, comprise their diet with grasses comprising most of the rest of the diet, like timothy grass or hay and orchard or bermuda grass or hay. All other veggies should be fed in moderation and be highly varied. Here's a good site to help make good veggie choices:
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.co… pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com The water dish should be large enough for both of them to get into. Torts are good at getting water from the food they eat and don't drink a whole lot of water. But a water dish should always be provided so they can soak and when they wish.
5) With the substrate that is normally used with Russians, a UTH (under tank heater) won't be much use. As long as the UTH is not in direct contact with a wooden or other potentially flammable surface, it shouldn't be a fire hazard.
