Santa brought us a new family member! ;)

[Maddie1201]

Hello, my name is Maddie. Nice to meet everyone! We are new members to the tortoise family. "Santa" recently gifted my son a Russian Tortoise for Christmas. Have been trying to find out everything I can on the little bugger. I'm assuming it is a he. Read that majority of males keep their tail tucked up under? If that is not correct, please correct me. He is about 5-6" in length. My son decided to name him "Grymm". Pretty original name coming from a 5 year old, if I do say so myself. The 5 year old gets to play with Grymm & we, my boyfriend & I, get to take care of him. Just wanted to stop by & say, "Hey".

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello Maddie

 

[dannylozano10]

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index....r-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species).107734/ hello welcome here are threads for Russians

 

[dannylozano10]

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Pics of him and enclosure??

 

[Maddie1201]

Hello Maddie
View attachment 162212

Thanks! Lived in Tucson for 20 years! Came back east in 2006.

 

[hingeback]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Lyn W]

Hi and welcome to you and Grymm; would love to see pics of him and his enclosure.
The caresheets given above will help you keep him happy and healthy. The Beginners Mistakes thread (link below) is also great for learning from and for avoiding mistakes by others, the Enclosures thread also has lots of good ideas. if you can follow all advice offered as closely as possible your son should have a friend for life!

 

[Maddie1201]

 

[Maddie1201]

Right now we have him in a tub. We eventually want to make a table for him & an outside enclosure for the summer time.

 

[Lyn W]

He is a lovely little tort and I hope you don't mind if I suggest a few things for his enclosure which will help you keep him happy and safe.
It is rather too small for him and he could do with a much bigger area to explore, with plants to hide under - a minimum of 4'x8' is usually recommended. I think the straw could be bit of a fire hazard in his enclosure and is too dry for a Russian. Check the Russian tort caresheet for recommended substrates, humidity and temps.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Also a cheap shallow terracotta plant saucer sunk level with the substrate and big enough for him to lie in would be easier and safer him to use for water. The one you have looks nice but it is quite steep and if he flips backwards when trying to get out he could drown.
I'm not sure from the pic if one of your bulbs is a coiled type. if so you need to remove it asap as these have been known to damage torts eyes and if ignored have very sad consequences.
Sorry if that seems a bit critical but it's all intended with your torts best interests at heart. I had a steep learning curve with my tort too but the changes I made as a result of advice here have really helped him.

 

[Maddie1201]

Thanks! We have been following this guy on youtube. His channel is called "Camp Kenan" if anyone is interested in watching some of his videos. He has great info & is a tortoise expert as well. This is all a learning experience. I learn something new everyday! Lol you can never learn too much!

 

[dannylozano10]

Thanks! We have been following this guy on youtube. His channel is called "Camp Kenan" if anyone is interested in watching some of his videos. He has great info & is a tortoise expert as well. This is all a learning experience. I learn something new everyday! Lol you can never learn too much!

Lol I watched all of his videos in a day haha so interesting

 

[Maddie1201]

Lol I watched all of his videos in a day haha so interesting

I think he's awesome! Lol

 

[Lyn W]

This is all a learning experience. I learn something new everyday! Lol you can never learn too much!

I don't think you ever stop learning with torts!!

 

[MPRC]

He is a cute little guy, welcome to the forum!

 

[Maddie1201]

I don't think you ever stop learning with torts!!

I don't doubt that

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome Maddie and Grymm !