new to tortoises

[saxamania]

Help. i have a dilema i am currently seeking to buy a tortoise but i dont know what type of home to get it, everyone recomends a tortoise table but i have cats and dont know how they will react to it can you buy them with mesh lids or would i be better to get a vivarium?

[jazz6661]

Hi.  You might want to check into a reptarium.  I have a Russian Tort. and cats (and a dog) and I had the same concerns as you.  I bought a 100 gallon reptarium and my Tessa seems very happy in there.  And - most importantly - the cats can't get to her.

Jazz
 

[KQ6AR]

A Screen or mesh lid on a tortoise table would work fine. I used a metal fencing on my indoor enclosure. Stay away from aquarium type setups, the humidity gets too high.

[Joe H]

Hi Dan
Good to see ya found the new forum

[KQ6AR]

Hi Joe,

 The new forum looks nice. I hadn't been able to log on to the old one for a long time, not even after you reset my passwords.
 
Thanks
Dan

[Brian]

You know I know someone woh has an adult tortoise and the cat doesn't bug it at all.  I'd be careful with babies or young ones though.

[bombchaser]

I had my four russians housed in a 125 gallon aquarium for ten months and they did very well.  I installed an exaust fan in the top of the enclosure, the type used in windows.  I do not recommend using an aquirium.  I have since moved my tortoises into a 6' X 6' metal stock trough - the type used to water cattle.  This works very well.  I use a wood pellet animal bedding.  Russians need lots of space to move around, and mine are very active.

[scariestuf]

Hi.  You might want to check into a reptarium.  I have a Russian Tort. and cats (and a dog) and I had the same concerns as you.  I bought a 100 gallon reptarium and my Tessa seems very happy in there.  And - most importantly - the cats can't get to her.

I have had my russion tort for about 2 years now. I've just had him in a regular 20 gallon tank, and I hate having him in there. He seems very miserable. I have been looking to find something better for him and I came across the reptarium. I'm planning on getting one, and I was looking at the one on carolinapetsupply.com. do you use your normal bedding in them or something else? I know russiantortoise.org says to use bed a beast and play sand mixed for the other cages.
I have 6 cats and the lid on the tank I have him in now they were still able to break open. They used to crawl inside his tank with him until I finally moved him into the 1 room in the house they're not allowed to go. But space is limited there. I'd like to bring him back out to the rest of the house. Please help, I don't like having a sad tort!

[ramzees]

Hi:

We were given a Russian Tortoise and I'm concerned that it has not had a proper diet as it
looks like the shell over it's rear legs is beginning to flare.  Is this normal?

[jazz6661]

Hi Scariestuff,

Yes - I do use the bed-a-beast and sand mixture in the Reptarium.  They sell a plastic liner that goes inside the reptarium that keeps the sand mixture inside.  I have a 1 year old so I am able to make it deep enough for her to dig down - not sure if you would be able to make it deep enough for an adult without the sand coming over the liner.  The screen/mesh of the reptarium is pretty good at stopping anything from coming out.  My cats definitely cannot get in and I have actually caught them sitting on top of the Reptarium - it's very strong mesh.  Good luck!

Jazz

[Brian]

I think a little flair is normal.

[scariestuf]

Jazz,
  Thanks a bunch! I will be getting the new cage for him soon and I'll update on him after he gets situated.