***newbie***

[1lily0]

Hi all, I'm a new owner of a gorgeous little boy who is 4 years old called Dave !! Only got him a few days ago and have found this site so helpful with helping him settle in to his new happy home. We bought/rescued him from a friend of a friend. He was housed in a tiny vivarium for the size of him and his shell is flat both sides where I presume he's just been left to walk up and down and has left his shell deformed a little :-( My partner is making him a proper housing bed until the summer where we can build him his own outside space. So my question is, will his shell rectify itself now he has space to walk and roam? Many thanks!

 

[yillt]

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Hi all, I'm a new owner of a gorgeous little boy who is 4 years old called Dave !! Only got him a few days ago and have found this site so helpful with helping him settle in to his new happy home. We bought/rescued him from a friend of a friend. He was housed in a tiny vivarium for the size of him and his shell is flat both sides where I presume he's just been left to walk up and down and has left his shell deformed a little :-( My partner is making him a proper housing bed until the summer where we can build him his own outside space. So my question is, will his shell rectify itself now he has space to walk and roam? Many thanks!

Hi to you and Dave! He looks a good size for four years old. His shell isn't bad at all but with the correct housing, humidity and future smooth (no pyramiding) growth, it should correct itself although I don't see much wrong with it. Could we please see a picture of your enclosure and you will get some very helpful advice. Also, you may want to read the beginners mistakes thread which I will add the link to in a second. Good luck

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Lily (?), and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and Lovely little Dave.
Did you read http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/ ?
I'm no expert on Russians (or anything much) but he looks perfectly alright to me.
How long is he, carapace length ?
I reckon he may be about fully grown already.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

I was thinking as the picture scrolled down, what a pretty Russian tortoise! I don't see anything wrong with that shell at all. Looks perfectly normal to me, and on the very pretty side of the scale!

 

[BILBO-03]

Hi and Welcome!

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hi

Cute Russian tort !

 

[1lily0]

We will post a picture when partners finished making it Yes, I've had a good read through the posts and have read some good advice, many thanks! Looking forward to sharing Daves journey with all xx

 

[Gillian M]

Hello @1lily0 and a very warm welcome to the forum.

A very sweet little tort. GOD bless.

Look forward to seeing his enclosure.

 

[PJay]

Welcome to the forum Lily and Dave! I'm looking forward to seeing your indoor and outdoor enclosures when you have pictures to share.

 

[1lily0]

Hello, Lily (?), and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and Lovely little Dave.
Did you read http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/ ?
I'm no expert on Russians (or anything much) but he looks perfectly alright to me.
How long is he, carapace length ?
I reckon he may be about fully grown already.

He's 6inch so would say he's fully grown now?

 

[1lily0]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

I was thinking as the picture scrolled down, what a pretty Russian tortoise! I don't see anything wrong with that shell at all. Looks perfectly normal to me, and on the very pretty side of the scale!

His sides aren't too bad but he's space now to roam

 

[GingerLove]

My tort's sides are mostly the same. It could be a deformation, but I think it's actual normal shell growth. He's a very pretty little boy!! Welcome to the forum! Russians are the best.

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome. I also see noting wrong with his shell.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

He's 6inch so would say he's fully grown now?

If it's definitely a boy they grow to between 5 and 8 inches, so he may be fully grown or there may be a bit more to come. Girls usually grow bigger.

 

[1lily0]

My tort's sides are mostly the same. It could be a deformation, but I think it's actual normal shell growth. He's a very pretty little boy!! Welcome to the forum! Russians are the best.

Thank you I thought it was because he came from previous home in a tiny vivarium with no room to walk except up and down the side walls :-( Glad I've found this forum as your help is really appreciated, thanks guys x

 

[1lily0]

If it's definitely a boy they grow to between 5 and 8 inches, so he may be fully grown or there may be a bit more to come. Girls usually grow bigger.

The tail is large, thick and tucked over to one side so I'm right in thinking he's a boy? Also a little clawlike/nail on the end of it?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

The tail is large, thick and tucked over to one side so I'm right in thinking he's a boy? Also a little clawlike/nail on the end of it?

Probably, but a photo would help us be more certain.

 

[TammyJ]

Welcome to the site! He is so adorable and looks fine to me too...although I don't know much.

 

[Carol S]

Welcome to the Forum. Dave is a good looking tortoise.