Recent content by WAFisherman

Here is one of the better sites for Russians: http://russiantortoise.org/care_sheet.htm http://russiantortoisepictures.com/forum/index.php?action=forum

YES! My leos, water dragons, and beardies all love my Dubias. And supers too.

We need to know the temps of the basking spot, warm side, cool side. Inside the tank. And if the 5 to 10 degree swing is observered in the tank at those spots as well. A night drop is fine when your bulb is off as long at it isn't much below 65.

Snakes will eat f/t. It is just like a parent trying to get your kid to eat their green beans. It is simply a matter of being consistent, persistent, and sometimes a little creative. Some ways to get a picky snake to eat f/t: * Feed 1 smaller than usual live one, then offer the next...

Mine does that sometimes too. I'm not too worried. She'll figure out that it does not taste good... You might try feeding him before. Or have some greens handy and offer him a peice by hand to distract. Maybe he's just a nervous eater ;) Does he black beard during this time? Or is her...

Here are a few indoor tort setups I have:

The substrate sounds like aspen shavings. Good stuff. Correct size is hard to determine. There are many factors that go into it. I'd first look him over to see if he looks healthy. Is his skin firm or saggy? Is he too thin or perhaps even over weight? Does he have any old shed stuck on...

You don't want the cats pooing in the tort sand... Tort won't hurt the cats and most cats wouldn't mess with the tort. But coons and possums and dogs and coyotes and rats will be an issue. You need to provide some kind of protection, or at a minimum take it in at night. My pen will have a...

Yep, blood, loss of appetite, fluxuating appetite, loss of energy, loss of color, stress, etc are all signs of parasites. Blood could even mean he has some big nasty tape worms... I be sure he had a good basking spot up to about 105-110. Also, at only 13 inches, you need to be careful with...

Oh, and as far as handling... even though they do not bite, I still use 10inch tongs... Temps - I think the 80's are good. CHeck the roach guy's site for more details on care. That's where I got my starter colony. I didn't to temps right for a month or so. But once I did, they took off...

I agree with what has been said about dubias. But the nymphs can't climb the sides of my bin. I use the clear plastic kind and the sides are just too smooth, even for the tiny nymphs. Yes, they need to be kept warm. I've used a small CHE pointed at the side, a normal\human heating pad, etc...

That's good to know :D I've never owned one myself, just the russian. But that has been what i've been told about them and why I haven't persued getting one... Now you are making have to consider them agian :study: Of those who have said they are more shy, their redfoots were kept inside...

:study: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Logs :idea:

I leave them in for a few hours tops. If they aren't gone by then, wait a week and try again. Mine will sometimes refuse during shed. It seems that stetching the mouth open can hurt during certain points in the process. I've had them start to eat, then spit it out and leave it. Not often...

Russians are probably the most common and are pretty easy to care for. But ALL torts need space. But relative to their size. For example, a Salcuta (african spur thigh) will get around 100lbs and needs a big yard. A russian stays around 6-8 inches, so an indoor tort table of about 4X8 for an...