Box Turtle and Tortoise Discussion :: substrate for a Russian

[AndrewP]

I just got a Russian tortoise and I want her to be very happy and was wondering what would be the best substrate to put in her enclosure.

[jenaero]

Here's a good care sheet from ATP. They recommend a mixture of top soil and play sand

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-russian.htm

[AndrewP]

Thank you!

[AndrewP]

Is there a certain or recommended top soil to use?

[jenaero]

Anything without those little white fertilizer/vitamin beads in it is fine. Don't buy anything labeled as a 'mixture' because it's full of additives for plants. Look for something that says 'all natural'

[ScrewZoo]

They got some compressed substrarte at petco that works fine.

[PcBuilder14]

I think tortises are cool. It would be cool to own one.

[AndrewP]

She is pretty cool, I'm glad when I got the chance to get her I took it. She's finally warming up to me too.

[PcBuilder14]

How much was she?

[AndrewP]

only $50. A friend of mine works at the pet store down the road and they had a couple of them so he cut me a deal.

[PcBuilder14]

Oh! Lucky! They are normally at least $100-$150!

[AndrewP]

yep, she was priced at $100. I didn't expect her to be so quick, she's always running. She might even be able to outrun my biggest RES.

[AndrewP]

I did the soil/sand mix today and it turned out pretty good, she seems to like it.

[rockyntrixi]

hey,

I use the compressed coconut husk substrate. I also take some alfalfa and put that in as well. My 2 russians love, love, love to dig in the substrate. They mentioned that they might dig to cool their body temperature down during the day. Good Luck!

p.s. Hermi, one of my russians, loves to cuddle with me while I watch a movie. As soon as I take him out of the cage, he finds a place to rest (usually on top of my chest) and falls right to sleep. He is most 'agreeable' than any pet I have ever owned.

[AndrewP]

hey,

I use the compressed coconut husk substrate. I also take some alfalfa and put that in as well. My 2 russians love, love, love to dig in the substrate. They mentioned that they might dig to cool their body temperature down during the day. Good Luck!

p.s. Hermi, one of my russians, loves to cuddle with me while I watch a movie. As soon as I take him out of the cage, he finds a place to rest (usually on top of my chest) and falls right to sleep. He is most 'agreeable' than any pet I have ever owned.

Do you by chance have a pic of your setup? I'm trying to get ideas for Daisy's.

And I've noticed that when I let her walk around while I'm sitting she'll come and lay next to my thigh.