Thank you for excepting us into your group.

[Evan and Debbie]

We have recently expanded our family to include a 3 year old Russian Tortoise. He is boy and his name is Ralph. (Named by our 12 year old son Evan) We have a dog Sophie and a cat Lilly. Both get along with our new addition. My husband and son built a tortoise table. Ralph loves hanging out in the kitchen so far and trying to bite my toes. Everything is great. Looking forward to learning and growing with Ralph

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hi

 

[Maitaimommy]

Hello and welcome I have a russian roughly the same age. His name is Maitai. Long, funny story how he was given that name. But it's fitting. This is a good place for things tort and turtle! Glad you're here

 

[Stuart S.]

Hello and welcome!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Hello and welcome from south Florida.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
Much of the info you need can be found in http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
and in http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions after reading them.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

Please accept this criticism as constructive, and not being mean at all. It's really not a good idea to allow tortoises to be loose on the floor of the house. The worst thing that can happen, happened to one of our members whose young sulcata was roaming around on the floor. The member didn't realize the tortoise had his head between the back of the door and the door jamb, and she closed the door, squishing the tortoise's head. Besides that type of danger, he can pick up small items not meant to be eaten, and eat them. Tortoises need to be in their enclosure. If it is big enough and has a few sight barriers and interesting things for him to explore, there's no reason for him to not stay in there. (this also keeps him safe from the dog, even though you say the dog gets along with him. We've seen and heard many times how the dog chewed up the tortoise)

 

[Evan and Debbie]

Thank you.

 

[RosemaryDW]

Welcome! Russians are the best.

Please do read the care sheets; they will give you and your tortoise a great start.

Another tidbit: you can't sex a Russian until they are 4-5 years old. Don't be surprised if you end up with a Ralphina!

 

[Evan and Debbie]

Interesting! Ralphina will work too

 

[Evan and Debbie]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

Please accept this criticism as constructive, and not being mean at all. It's really not a good idea to allow tortoises to be loose on the floor of the house. The worst thing that can happen, happened to one of our members whose young sulcata was roaming around on the floor. The member didn't realize the tortoise had his head between the back of the door and the door jamb, and she closed the door, squishing the tortoise's head. Besides that type of danger, he can pick up small items not meant to be eaten, and eat them. Tortoises need to be in their enclosure. If it is big enough and has a few sight barriers and interesting things for him to explore, there's no reason for him to not stay in there. (this also keeps him safe from the dog, even though you say the dog gets along with him. We've seen and heard many times how the dog chewed up the tortoise)

 

[Evan and Debbie]

I appreciate the information you have given me. And consider it very informative. Thank you. They are very fast.

 

[Maitaimommy]

Interesting! Ralphina will work too

Can you post a pic of Ralph's tail? I'd like to compare it to my russian. Sometimes it's obvious early on.

 

[Evan and Debbie]

Hard to get a picture of his tail but I'll try. It's almost always tucked in one side or the other.

 

[Evan and Debbie]

 

[Evan and Debbie]

Here he is. I'll try getting a rear shot of his tail

 

[Jbrez]

Welcome you came to the right forum. I have a Russian named Gus.

 

[Evan and Debbie]

Can you post a pic of Ralph's tail? I'd like to compare it to my russian. Sometimes it's obvious early on.

 

[Maitaimommy]

You have a male for sure! Thanks for posting the pic

 

[Maitaimommy]

Mine may be a bit younger but I think I have a male too.