Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a new russian tortoise and I have a few questions about her. the bedding is just one of them. First of all, can i use rabbit bedding for a tortoise? And, I put my tortoise into a 20 gallon glass tank and I don't know if that's bad for the tortoise. ake the tortoise out for long periods of time and I wonder if that's enough. I am planning to build an outside location for the tortoise but to keep it inside most of the time because we have predetors in the backyard (we live near a forest). My russian is sleeping a lot and it is the June.... is she supposed to go into aestivation that early? She is losing weight and I don't know if that is good. Thankyou in advance.

Is she eating at least every other day. Me and my husband use untreated soil, peat moss, kids play sand. And mix about of third of each so that they can burrow. We have 2 baby marginated tortoises.

Thanks
Candace

hey, how big is the tortoise? if it isn't a hatchling than the aquarium is all bad. i take my russians in at night and in storms sometimes, and put them in 50 gal. rubbermaid tubs (like 15.00 at target) my buddies hate being indoors usually, and get depressed if it's more than a few hours. also the sides are opaque, they hate glass (mine do). if it seems like your pet is sad and has given up than they might neeed a bigger habitat
good luck with your tortoise
p.s supersoil is a great substrate, it doesn't need sand because it dries and drains excellently. also shredded non-aromatic bark (i use redwood) is good bedding, if you mean that fluffy stuff for rabbits then the answer is no! i saw a poor box turtle in a pet store on that, the fibers were invading it's eyes and nose, which were very irritated, he was ill and bubbling at the nose