When bringing home a new pet, it’s important to make calculated plans. Ensure you have the right supplies before you have the tortoise. Make a tortoise supply list with the supplies for husbandry and diet, as these are key elements to raising a healthy Russian tortoise.
Tortoise Housing Supplies
Enclosure
An indoor enclosure for a Russian tortoise should be at minimum 2 foot by 4 foot. An outside enclosure for a Russian tortoise should be 4 foot by 4 foot.
Make an inside enclosure with lumber or storage totes (combining a few if needed to create optimal size). If you use lumber make sure to line the enclosure to protect the wood against water and moisture.
Make an outside enclosure with bricks, cinder blocks, landscaping stones, lumber, etc. Use hardware cloth and other supplies to ensure safety and prevent escapes.
Substrate
Choose a safe substrate for a Russian tortoise. There are several options to choose from, including:
Heating
In order to provide optimal heat and basking temperatures, a good heat bulb is a must.
Lighting
Some of the heating options also provide optimal lighting. However you want to ensure that the enclosure has a source of UV. Choose between a UV tube or a UV bulb. Depending on your enclosure setup, one may work better than the other.
Tortoise Dietary Supplies
Diet is an important aspect of a healthy tortoise. Russian tortoises need a high fiber diet with a variety of weeds, grasses and greens.
Commercial tortoise pellets are not a requirement for a healthy tortoise diet, however there are many options to choose from. Compare tortoise pellets to decide which brand, or brands, you may want to offer.
