It sounds like you are doing all the right things.

What part of the shell is soft?

Carapace (top), plastron(bottom), or all of it?

I've observed several russian hatchlings through the first few months and it seems that the carapace gets firm soon but the plastron may stay flexible for a long time. I don't mean soft as a marshmallow, but that it will give a little with firm pressure.

These hatchlings have done well and eventually developed rock hard shells.

I wish I could tell what is too soft, but I can tell you that at 5 months those little hatchlings do not have to be hard as rocks.

Be sure to soak him once or twice a week and to provide a humid area in his enclosure. Shell condition is a result of diet, hydration and environment.

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