New member

[ALG124]

Hi my name is Adam from SD,CA and I just bought a russian tortoise from petsmart.

 

[kathyth]

Welcome Adam! Nice looking Russian!

 

[ALG124]

Thx

 

[ALG124]

Should I be worried because i bought him from petsmart

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum, Adam.

No. It looks nice and healthy. Some people feel you shouldn't buy from pet shops because it causes them to get more from the wild. It's totally up to you. But after the tortoise settles in I would take a fecal sample to a vet to have it checked for parasites.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hi Adam

 

[ALG124]

Ok, cool so far he been great at first a bit shy but yesterday and today in the morning his been moving around and eating n drinking

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

Give these a read through:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

The big chain pet stores are infamous for dispensing the wrong info and selling the wrong products. Did they sell you a 40 gallon tank, a red or blue bulb for night time, a ramped water bowl, a "spot" bulb for heat, a cfl type UV bulb and some little pellets for food? Seems the only thing they get right is the substrate.

 

[ALG124]

I got my tortoise enclosure from a friend he made of wood and it came with both lights

 

[ALG124]

And I feed him a mixture of lettuce n carrots

 

[ALG124]

What light should I keep on at night

 

[Tom]

And I feed him a mixture of lettuce n carrots

This is not a good diet for your tortoise. Please read the care sheet that I linked for better ideas on what to feed.

 

[Tom]

What light should I keep on at night

Your species of tortoise needs cooler night. You shouldn't have any light on at night. They need it dark and cooler.

 

[Tom]

I got my tortoise enclosure from a friend he made of wood and it came with both lights

What size enclosure and what kind of lights?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Adam, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
You have a really great name.

 

[ALG124]

Thx

 

[Maitaimommy]

Hello, your russian is very cute
From the pic; it looks like he's all shell lol
It takes russian atleast three days or so to start eat and start getting use to their surroundings.
I bought my russian at petsmart because my heart sank when i saw her pitiful living environment. She was underweight and her eyes were closed. Yours seems like it was better cared for.

 

[ALG124]

Yea thx

 

[ALG124]

Is this normal he white eyelids

 

[Maitaimommy]

Looks like my russians eyes! Bright and healthy