Russian tortoise substrate

[@frankiea3752]

One of the easiest videos to follow. Thumbs up

[@sheenamahabirsingh1807]

thank u so much ! im getting a russian tortoise and i have been looking everywhere to find what to use .. and you answered all my questions . i was worried about smell and bugs so thank u :)

[@frankbianca5037]

Your welcome.I'm glad I could help...check out my other videos and maybe u could find them helpful as well.

[@williamcreed4437]

I use the coconut blocks too as the substrate and they burrow in lots of Timothy hay and Orchard grass that they eat. I feed them endive, chicory and dandelion greens, alternating daily. I use a good UV A & B heat lamp for vitamin D and basking! I have had my pair for over 6 years. I love them!

[@markgiacalone9800]

I have been scouring the web on this subject, specifically for indoor care. I do have an outdoor pen, but bedding for the indoor enclosure is what I was trying to figure out. Since it is indoors, dusty substrates are out of the question. I do not like sand mixes either, as sand seems to get everywhere. Tried organic potting soil, which is fine outdoors where nature takes care of any manure in it (organic soil does have 5-10% or so of manure of some sort), but indoors it has an odor, and I am not a fan of manure indoors unless plants are using it. Tried cypress mulch - pretty good, too splintery when it gets dry. However, seeing pictures of Horsefield (Russian) tortoise habitat, there is no mulch. But there is soil, and there is grass. So I saw your video and tried it out. I am happy with maintenance, the tortoise has its pick of moist (coir) or dry (hay) areas, and I am not worried should the tortoise ingesting coir or hay obviously. All in all, so far, this is what I believe works for my tortoise. I like the angular hide as well, nice idea, gives the tortoise options. Thank you for the video. Oh, I use a few patio "stones" in my enclosures, outdoor and indoor. Check them out. They are cast clay-ish "rocks" molded as large flat stones. Perfect for tortoises to climb up and on, even eat on, and lighter in weight than real rock. Non toxic, looks just like rocks in their natural habitat. I made a stepped basking platform using these, works great.

[@ravenspace26]

I got bugs with the top soil too! Thank you for the info!

[@daniellewilliams2693]

Very informative I've been using a repti bark mix with eco earth definitely gonna be switching

[@cristinatolle7883]

Where did you get that ramp?

[@Savage_Buddy21]

is forest floor good

[@cristinatolle7883]

I use bark is that bad ?

[@DinoXavier]

Do they eat the Timothy Hay?

[@frankbianca5037]

Yes the love Timothy hay! It's there favorite and it's a good source of fiber for them ;) I recommend to have it in there enclosure at all times.

[@DinoXavier]

Are russian tortoises loud at night? Loud as in they are mostly active during the night?

[@frankbianca5037]

No they are not loud in the night,Russian tortoises wake up around 6.00 in the more I g and around 5 in the evening they so in there hide and sleep.they are active durning the day especially in the summer and spring they love roaming around and climbing rocks and hides and what ever is in your enclosure

[@DinoXavier]

What time would you recommend them being fed?

[@frankbianca5037]

I recommend ether feeding them 2 hours after it wakes or 2 hours before its lights turn off.and at least go 1 day out of the week without feeding it.its good to go 1 day without feeding so y won't be over feeding it.ad make sure to chop it's food up really small.

[@cj.ninja.1312]

Where do you buy your timothy hay, I can't find it

[@easybuckets6319]

Walmart pet section

[@monkeybeats3807]

Joe mama

[@boyubao5859]

man i dont recommend that subtrate tho bc my tortoise was bleeding in the eye usig that substrate it stabbed in her eye

[@saron_de_awsomo3552]

How much does the one you have cost?

[@saron_de_awsomo3552]

Look at me thinking it's an installed thing that costs money. So stupid.

[@saron_de_awsomo3552]

I want to put an area for fish in tortoise land (that's what I will call it). Is it okay if I give a medium area with a small pond for the fish, or will the turtle eat them. Cause I wanted to make it more life like, and not just him.

[@frankbianca5037]

Tortoises can not live in water.now if your talking turtles then I'm sure you would be fine.i have a buddy that had a pond with a turtle and big koy fish

[@saron_de_awsomo3552]

What i'm saying is, can a make an small area in the place where he can't get to for my fish.

[@frankbianca5037]

I dont know.try it out

[@saron_de_awsomo3552]

Okay, I will and give you the results.

[@frankbianca5037]

And russain tortoises dont eat or like meat.dont make the water to deep or your tortoise will drwon