Carl has some issues...

[Emmykitty111]

My Hermann's is roughly 5 years old, just got him a month ago. He functions well except for one pretty significant thing. He has 2 little stubs instead of claws on his left front and back leg and his right back leg only has 2 claws. He also has minor shell damage that isn't too deep.
I am a new tortoise owner, so I am not sure what normal behavior in tortoises is other than basking and burrowing (And of course eating, sleeping, and potty breaks!) but he seems to be having extra difficulties.
I am told that most torts can get up to some pretty surprising speeds. I've seen Carl become very nervous and try to leave quickly but bumps his shell rather roughly on the ground and stops.
When tortoises move too quickly normally do they bump their shell on the ground?
He also slips before doing this in a rather painful looking manner

 

[Heather H]

So can you explain stubs? As in no claws or no feet?
@HermanniChris

 

[Heather H]

I tagged Chris in this he knows a lot about Hermanns. If you post pictures he can get a better idea of what you are saying. Also what is his diet? What is his enclosure, heat, humidity, light.....

 

[HermanniChris]

Yes please share some photos

 

[Emmykitty111]

First pic is back left. 2nd is front left. 3rd is back right. And the last one is just a messy face as posted in the last one, he eats well and everything. Im just worried about him. That's my poor little guy.

 

[Emmykitty111]

And his enclosure is a decently sized tortoise table roughly 26×48(don't remember exact measurements). I use a heat and uvb light about 10" high off the bottom. Heat is around low nineties in his basking spot. His substrate is sand and top soil 50/50 substrte. He eats mostly garden weeds (ie. Dandelions) and gets flowers as treats. I hope that's enough info

 

[Heather H]

First pic is back left. 2nd is front left. 3rd is back right. And the last one is just a messy face as posted in the last one, he eats well and everything. Im just worried about him. That's my poor little guy.

@HermanniChris

 

[leigti]

Can you build him an outdoor pen? Maybe one with firm but not hard surfaces like rocks. Maybe even some grass. He is going to also need a larger indoor table I personally would not have play sand in the mixture because of risk for impaction. but natural sunlight and a good diet should do wonders for him. Are there any open wounds or have his stubs healed? From the poor care he received before you got him he probably has weak legs. @Yvonne G May also have some ideas. I'm glad he is now in your hands. You have come to the right place for all the information you will need. Please keep us updated on his progress.

 

[HermanniChris]

Can you post one more photo of his entire plastron and carapace?

 

[lismar79]

I would ditch the sand for sure. Get something he can walk on better like fir bark or cypress mulch. More exercise will help strengthen them legs. Glad you found him.

 

[newCH]

You have a handsome tort ! He is lucky to have you to care for him !

 

[Emmykitty111]

All wounds were healed a while before I met him. He didn't even flinch (more than the usual amount for a tort) when I touched his legs and feet to examine them closely. He was also in a glass tank when I first met him! The first thing I did was get him a tortoise table. I did the measurements and it is actually 32×54, so bigger than my estimate. Is that still too small for him, do you think? And what should I use in the mix if not sand? There's been so many conflicted beliefs. I just want what's best for my poor little guy. I will see about an outdoor enclosure of some sort.

 

[HermanniChris]

The table and size is fine especially for his condition. Lose the sand, only because of the traction and put him on cypress mulch. Please post a full plastron shot when you can.

 

[Emmykitty111]

Here are the pictures as requested. He looks a little dull for a Hermann's. I was wondering about that as well?

 

[HermanniChris]

Ahh yes that's why I wanted to see the photos. The dullness has nothing to do with it but he is NOT a Hermann's. He's 100% a beautiful Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca ibera).

 

[Emmykitty111]

I was wondering if something like that was the case! He didn't look like a Hermann's to me. I'm so glad I finally have the answer to that. Are they priced about the same as as Hermann's or did I also get ripped off?

 

[Emmykitty111]

Also, care sheets for Greeks please?

 

[leigti]

There is a care sheet in the species specific section for Greeks. They are similar to Russians and Herman's.

 

[Emmykitty111]

Okay thanks guys. Jeez I am beyond furious with this pet store. Just called the horrific place I rescued him from and it turns out he's also wild caught. I'm so angry I can hardly see straight. He was a surrender that they took in and they thought he was a Hermann's. They had him in with other Hermann's and also Russians. When I got him they told me he could even be placed with bearded dragons! I wish there was something I could do to put them out of business. That type of misinformation could get animals killed.

 

[Emmykitty111]

So, for the record, if you live in Oregon, never buy from Zany Zoo. They have excellent reviews but they are awful