New here, help me ID this rescue tortoise please

[Kaseys412]

Hi everyone ! I'm new to the forum, not necessarily to torts, but I have only ever had Brazilian cherrys, I was recently contacted to take in a rescue tort found in a classroom at a school nearby. The teacher (yes my blood is boiling just typing this) left him behind in a tank, moved out of the area.... he was found in a pile of rotten canned fruit cocktail and fruit flies. He's severely neglected, in desperate need of a beak trim....but let me tell ya, the few days I've had him, he is in his glory. He's loving all the foliage, bugs...so fingers crossed I can get him happy & healthy again.... I just need a little help identifying the breed so I can make sure I care for him properly.... thank you everyone in advance !!!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

You have an adult Russian tortoise.
A species that should not be eating fruit.

 

[Kaseys412]

Thank you so much, I suspected a Russian, but wasn't 100%. It really is a miracle he's even alive. Canned fruit cocktail. Blows my mind right out of the water, he's in good hands now, I just hope he can bounce back.

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome!

 

[Kaseys412]

I've named him Buford, he's very sweet.... I just feel so bad

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Kasey, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and Buford.
Thanks for helping him out.
Now is the time to start reading.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
and http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
are a good start.
Also be enormously careful, Russians are quick, great diggers and excellent climbers. A very secure, escape proof outdoor enclosure will be required.
Thanks again.

 

[RosemaryDW]

Welcome and thank you for helping with this little one.

And yes, for sure they are great escapers.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hi