Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm in Southern California, and we just got our first rain. My russian was burried under his substrate outside, but I wasn't sure if I could leave him so I brought him in. Is it okay to leave him? I was presumably raining all night, so he already went through most of it. I'm just wondering if I should leave him all day and stuff. Thanks!

If your enclosure is large enough and well drained, I wouldnt think it would be a problem. Maybe think about building up a higher side so he can climb upward to get out of puddled water into a shelter on the high side. My understanding is that Russians dont really like standing water and not the best for them. However, if elevated and well drained so they can stay out of the water, he should be fine left outside during rain events. Most folks on this forum soak their Russians a couple of times a week, so I am sure a short soak in the rain won't hurt. But, if the enclosure holds water and he is forced to stay in a soaked and wet area for long periods, it will have a health effect on him.

He is in a mesh topped 4x8 in my back yard. He has a 1x1 house that is covered, and doesn't leak at all, but he tends to like digging more than using the house. I will try to give him a higher place, though standing puddles in his enclosure have yet to be seen. I was thinkin it would be more of an immediate shell rot problem. Moist dirt and carapaces don't mix well in my mind.

I guess Southern California is pretty warm, so you might be fine, but my understanding is that russians are fine with warm and damp (which is why soaking them in warm water for hydration purposes is fine), but they can't tolerate cold and damp/wet. So if it gets very cool and wet you might well have problems.

Nina

I dont think they do well with perpetually moist and damp conditions at all regardless of temperature. I think the key is that the enclosure drain and dry out rather quickly, and not stay moist for a long period of time. If you dont have standing water in the enclosure after a good rain, then it appears your enclosure is draining well enough. It rains in deserts. The key is, it also dries out real quick and doesnt stay moist like a forest/jungle. The higher area or mound is just a suggestion that may ensure he gets to drier ground if need be. Your shelter may do the trick as well. However, if I ever get to build my outdoor enclosure, I am definitely going to have it in a well drained area for my Russians, and provide them an elevated area to help them get out the moisture even more if they want to.

I totally know what you mean, thanks for the pointers.

You can't imagine what rain is. It started raining this morning at about 8am and it is still raining... nonstop by me (GA).

Needless to say, bring them in and dry them off. Unless you have the substrate set up just right they are going to develope problems.

They cannot handle cold and damp at all and if you are anywhere near inland that is a death sentence with what you describe.

>>I'm in Southern California, and we just got our first rain. My russian was burried under his substrate outside, but I wasn't sure if I could leave him so I brought him in. Is it okay to leave him? I was presumably raining all night, so he already went through most of it. I'm just wondering if I should leave him all day and stuff. Thanks!
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Ha,ha Ed! You guys in Georgia don't know what rain is. I remember a year when it rained for 30 days straight in June (it's what makes this a 'green and pleasant land' - except if you're a tortoise of course).

Nina
(from rain-soaked Oxford in England)

Hi EJ,

I live in Louisiana. Needless to say I dont think Andrew in SoCal gets near the rainfall we get. I am actually working in Alabama now, and its been raining every week for about two days nonstop!!! Do you think if Andrews enclosure drains well (not like my backyard in Louisiana right now)he should be OK?

How do tort keepers in more arid areas handle rainfall with their aridland species?

A cold, wet Russian is a dead Russian.

Bring them in.

Ernie

Yea, but rainfall this time of year is a deadly combination for Russians. Cold, Damp nights are not good for any length of time if the Russians cannot keep dry.

>>Hi EJ,
>>
>>I live in Louisiana. Needless to say I dont think Andrew in SoCal gets near the rainfall we get. I am actually working in Alabama now, and its been raining every week for about two days nonstop!!! Do you think if Andrews enclosure drains well (not like my backyard in Louisiana right now)he should be OK?
>>
>>How do tort keepers in more arid areas handle rainfall with their aridland species?
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care