Reporting from Pakistan

[ARA]

Hi everyone,

Am not a regular forum member but I do check off and on to search for any queries regarding tortoise care. You guys have a great forum here and have been very helpful to me. Sometime back I got an adult Russian tortoise which the forum members were very kind enough to identify for me. She was also correctly identified as a female.

I am pleased to report that not only is she doing well but now has three other companions to keep company. All of these appear to be wild caught and are at least 8 inches and larger in size. Hope you enjoy the pics.

 

[bouaboua]

Hello and Welcome. Good to have you here. You have some very nice tortoises there. And looks like you take a good care of them. Thank you for share those pictures.

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. I agree, nice torts.

 

[TortsNTurtles]

Beautiful torts !

 

[Ida]

Great looking pictures of your torts! Thanks for sharing..

 

[ARA]

Thanks guys, appreciate the compliments. It's sad that unscrupulous people in our country catch them and kill them or sell them live to the Chinese traders for medicinal purposes. All of these we're rescued from weekend markets. Average cost for each one was around $15

I did give all of them a nice soak and scrubbing after taking the photographs but unfortunately forgot to take the after photos. Will try to post better pics.

Two of the tortoises do have cracked shells but nothing to worry about. Seem completely normal and fine in behaviour. They have quite a large enclosure with plenty of plants to hide in or burrow.


These are a pair of domestically bred Sulcata babies that I am taking care of

 

[smudger67]

Great pics

 

[ARA]

Now raising six baby sulcatas





Two of the larger ones are the babies who's pic I posted earlier. It's been a couple of months now and their growth is noticeable. I plan on shifting them to an outdoor enclosure covered with mesh wire.

 

[Tom]

Cool. Looks like you've got it all under control.

 

[ARA]

Thank you Tom. All credit to you and this forum for your tireless work to educate and guide ppl like me. Though I don't participate much in the forums, I do try to follow your tips and experienced advice.

 

[ARA]

Nearly a month since the last photo posted

 

[sissyofone]

They look great. Your doing an awesome job taking care of them.

 

[Abdulla6169]

Wow! Pakistan is a beautiful country, I'm reading a book that talks a lot about Pakistan. Nice tortoises you own there

 

[kathyth]

Beautiful tortoise's!
They're very lucky!

 

[ARA]

Thank you guys. Can't tell you how much your encouragement means to me.

Pakistan is a beautiful country, unfortunately terrorism, poverty and lack of education has pushed our beautiful country into a downward spiral.

 

[ARA]

Caught the Russians mating

 

[ARA]

I have seen some tortoise babies with some breeders here who call them afghan tortoises. They are completely khaki in colour. Any idea guys what breed they might be, don't look like Russian tortoises cause I've seen Russian tortoise babies. I'll try to snap a picture next time I see them

 

[Yvonne G]

Afghan tortoise is just another name for Russian or Horsefield's tortoise.

 

[ARA]

Yes I am aware of that, but this guy had Russian babies as well and colour wise these were quite different

If I see them again I'll just buy them for further study

 

[Abdulla6169]

Yes I am aware of that, but this guy had Russian babies as well and colour wise these were quite different

If I see them again I'll just buy them for further study

Different genetic lines maybe? For some tortoises darker coloring just means they live in higher altitudes, maybe thats true for Russians?