Hi, i have just registered and wanted to say hi. I have just bought 2 russian tortoises which are around 3 years old, i bought them from someone who had them in a viv and was using hay for bedding and he also lived in a flat in the city centre so they have had no access to a garden, but after doing alot of reading on this site, finding out that this is not very good for them before i picked them up i bought them a new large indoor rabbit cage and used the 50/50 top soil and sand which they seem to like, i also gave them their first experince running around the garden (they move quicker than i thought, lol.   can i ask if i need to provide any other material for bedding or is the soil/sand fine for them.    This is the first time i have kept tortoises so i am finding all the info on this site so usefull, but still may feel funny when it comes to my first hybernating experience,  I thought they may have been bigger than they are being over 3 years, mind you size wise they are about the size of my palm, do they grow much bigger and at what age do they become fully grown.

thanks

scott

Hi Scott,  to the site.

Those are two lucky torts finding you!  Your set up sounds great, have you got the heating and lighting sorted out?  They do only need the sand/soil, they like to burrow down into it so make it as deep as you can.

Russians or Horsfields as they are known, are quite small, they become adult at about 6+ years.  Saying that I do have a female who is quite large, but a male that is quite small, so they can vary.

They do love being outside.  Just make sure your outdoor pen is secure from cats, dogs, vermin and birds!  And remember Horsfields love to dig tunnels and climb!

Keep us informed of their progress, and post some pics.

Regards Vivienne

Hi Scott,

I wouldnt worry too much about hibernation at the moment, just get to know and enjoy them first. You have a few months yet before you decide and in the meantime read up and learn as much as you can.

Take care and good luck with them

Ali

Hi Scott, just interested to know how your torts are doing, now they have had time to settle in. Are you as obsessed as the rest of us yet? I have never kept Horsefields, only Spur-thighed. Any chance of a photo or two? I agree with you, that this is a brilliant website, and I really enjoy reading about other people's experiences. Good luck and here's hoping for a sunny August and September!

David in York