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Anonymous
Hey /an/. I recently purchased a Russian Tortoise from a pet store. The enclosure I have for him is at least 3 times the size of the enclosure he was in at the pet store, and he doesn't share it with any other tortoises like he did at the pet store. Even with both of these conditions, during his active periods of the day he scrambles around the outside of the enclosure like he's trying to get out. I've been trying to think of something I can make to put him in when he's active so he can walk around and not shit all over the carpet, and still have enough room so he doesn't feel closed in. The enclosure he's in is partially transparent, so I'm kind of wondering if that is to blame instead.

Also, I've been thinking about getting a second Russian, hopefully of a similar age. Anyone have any advice for caring for two?

Pic slightly related, not him but it looks like him.
>> Anonymous
>>146977
put it in your butt
>> Anonymous
>The enclosure he's in is partially transparent, so I'm kind of wondering if that is to blame instead.

You pretty much nailed it right there.

If a tortoise can see out of their enclosure they will want to get to it. Basically if it's above their line of sight they won't pay it any mind so you might just want to cover up the lower parts of it's enclosure so you can still see it but it can't see much outside it's caging.

It's a good thing that you only have to go through this with a small species of tortoise, I've had some of the larger kinds rip through and knock down fences here.
>> Anonymous
I've had a Russian tortoise for 14 years. We let her walk around the upstairs. She has never fallen down. What your tortoise is trying to do is build a tunnel. They do that at this time of year in their natural environment. Give it some rabbit feed as bedding. Mine tends to make huge pillows for herself to sleep on. It's adorable.
>> Anonymous
>>146985
Alright, thanks.
>> Anonymous
>>146989
Yeah, I'd like to have him walk around my house, but I don't want him to poop on my carpet.
>> Anonymous
>>146994

You get over the poop. My Sulcatas free roam downstairs with a basking/eating area near the entrance to my Varanid room when it's too cold for them to be outside [which is 75% of the year here in SC, really, since I don't have the funds for awesome heated tortoise houses]. Ditto for those belonging to my manager. His 36 year old male actually lives at the shop we work at. Adult tortoises don't really poop all that often... With a Russian it's not much at all to have to clean up...

You could let him free roam and try to time pooping with 15 to 30 minute soaks in a pan of lukewarm water. Gives him a chance to drink and stimulates hearty bowel movements.
>> Anonymous
>>146989

Me again. I have been informed that it is not rabbit feed you are looking for, but in fact, lizard litter, which is like finely ground woodchips or something. It's very pillow-like and my tortoise loves it.
>> Anonymous
Let it roam around in your backyard
>> Anonymous
I would just let it run around the house, poop be damned. You can clean up after it, and it's a tortoise, so it's not really going to crap THAT much anyway. My turtle only shits about once a week, so it's really just dumb luck if he manages to do it while he's out on the carpet.