well I'm new to these forums and I've had 2 russian tortoises for a few years.... I was interested in setting up an outside house for them to live in during the spring/summer... can anyone fill me in on the basics of setting this up?

well, to start out, you need some tall wood to keep them in. That's about all I know. I'm sure someone will chime in. Welcome to the boards.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

thanks, my main concers are the following:

what is the lowest temperature they can handle
how to get water to them
how to keep them from digging out of it

I plan to plant some things for them to naturally eat and set up plenty of hiding spots and all, I know where they currently are I just give them a bag of romaine lettuce and add calcium...

For the years I've had my tortoises they have just been in a large rubbermaid with hay/sand/bark chips a little den and a large water dish.... When I got them I was young and didn't do much research on them, so far they are doing fine eating, drinking, all the normal tortoise things, but seems like their tank now is too basic and I feel bad for them so I want to set up something now outside where I have plenty of room....

Ditch the romain. Its only slightly better than iceburg. Go for the greener stuff. Collard, mustard and collard greens.

If you bury some cinder blocks and put the wood on top, they won't be able to get out. The cinders should be sticking up from the ground just a bit. if you want you could make everything out of rocks/blocks...

water... hose?

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

alright thank you very much, I guess I'll just leave my hose next to the set up and fill it up when it's empty .... what are some good plants to plant for them to eat and can would it be safe to just get soil and plant grass and then have areas with hay for them to sleep or a sandbox or anything?

now what are the lowest temperatures they could handle? and pittsburgh can get quite rainy at times so I will have a roof on it and I was wondering could rainwater hurt the tortoises because I was thinking of having a gutter type thing to lead the rain water into the plants and their water dish...

also this is off topic for this thread, but is there anything else I could keep with these 2 guys, I can make the cage for them fairly large..... sorry this is probably a stupid question I've just always wondered this

best not to mix. It will stress both partners out.

I can't see rain being a problem as long as they have a hide they can stay dry in. little dog house? Plus, you don't want to roof the whole thing over, the sun is very beneficial.

Here is a link to our caresheet (forgot we had one for these guys)
It says evening temps can be in the low 60's but daytime temps should be in the low 70's.

Check it out, it has enclosure suggestions.
Russian Tortoise Caresheet (Testudo horsfieldi) - Reptile Information - Caresheets Database

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

oh no it won't all be roofed over, there will be basking spots and also another concern is, pittsburgh can get very hot and humid being in the 80s sometimes 90s during the summer.... would this be bad?

no, it will be fine. Just be sure there is shade they can be in, or sun. give them a good choice.

__________________
My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

alright sounds great, so can they drink the rainwater?
also are there any good sites that give a good list of plants to plant for a natural food source for my tortoises?

thanks!

also, this is sort of a stupid question, but other than around my house where can I get some bigger rocks to make dens out of and withe else?

also can anyone tell me a a very informative book on russian tortoises that lists plants to eat, housing, etc as much as possible! : D

For rock check out your local garden center, water garden shop, or landscape company. But be prepared.
The cost of rocks will amaze you!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!