Is my Totoise in good health?

[TriterTortoise]

I just recently bought a Russian Tortoise from Petco on Friday, which I really regret since petco is known for not taking care of their animals very well. But anyway, I want to make sure that my tortoise is ok.

I am using a 40 breeder tank. The temperature right now is at exactly 80 degrees farenhit, and the humidity is at 42. I use a soil type dirt for the bottom, and I have a pond with water for him to swim in, a little hut, and a food dish filled with romaine lettuce at the moment. He hasn't been eating much, and doesn't seem too active. He'll move around pretty quickly when he wants to, but remains in a certain spot right underneath the heat bulb. I have been misting him and the tank every morning, and switching the food out with fresh food every morning. I also switch out the water in the pond every morning, which is filtered water by the way. His eyes look somewhat shiny and black, and his shell doesn't have any cracks and looks like a normal size.

Any red flags so far? Or does he seem in good health? I wanna make sure he is ok.

 

[Tortoise_Nerd]

I just recently bought a Russian Tortoise from Petco on Friday, which I really regret since petco is known for not taking care of their animals very well. But anyway, I want to make sure that my tortoise is ok.

I am using a 40 breeder tank. The temperature right now is at exactly 80 degrees farenhit, and the humidity is at 42. I use a soil type dirt for the bottom, and I have a pond with water for him to swim in, a little hut, and a food dish filled with romaine lettuce at the moment. He hasn't been eating much, and doesn't seem too active. He'll move around pretty quickly when he wants to, but remains in a certain spot right underneath the heat bulb. I have been misting him and the tank every morning, and switching the food out with fresh food every morning. I also switch out the water in the pond every morning, which is filtered water by the way. His eyes look somewhat shiny and black, and his shell doesn't have any cracks and looks like a normal size.

Any red flags so far? Or does he seem in good health? I wanna make sure he is ok.

Use Cyprus mulch

 

[Tortoise_Nerd]

And feed him/her spineless cactus

 

[TriterTortoise]

does he seem in good health?

 

[TriterTortoise]

The soil I am using is eco earth compressed coconut fiber expandable substrate, is that fine? Or should I use the cyprus mulch?

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

does he seem in good health?

Did you mean to post a photo?

 

[Stuart S.]

It will take him a few days to get used to his new territory, keep doing what you're doing and monitor him frequently. Do you have plans for a possible outdoor enclosure?

 

[TriterTortoise]

Did you mean to post a photo?

no, I cant at the moment, maybe later

 

[Stuart S.]

Post a photo of your setup when you get a chance if you don't mind

 

[TriterTortoise]

It will take him a few days to get used to his new territory, keep doing what you're doing and monitor him frequently. Do you have plans for a possible outdoor enclosure?

In the summer I was planning on setting up one.

Do you have any basic care tips to give me, I don't know whether or not to trust petco

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

A pond deep enough to swim in would be a concern for me in an enclosure that small. Tortoises can flip themselves when climbing the walls, and if they end up upside in deep water, easily drown. A shallow, terracotta saucer big enough to fully get in is a safe option.

80F isn't warm enough for a basking spot. You'll need somewhere 95-100F for your tortoise to bask.

Cococoir (Eco earth) is fine substrate and one that many keepers here use.

Here is a care sheet: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

 

[TriterTortoise]

A pond deep enough to swim in would be a concern for me in an enclosure that small. Tortoises can flip themselves when climbing the walls, and if they end up upside in deep water, easily drown. A shallow, terracotta saucer big enough to fully get in is a safe option.

80F isn't warm enough for a basking spot. You'll need somewhere 95-100F for your tortoise to bask.

Cococoir is fine substrate and one that many keepers here use.

no no no the pond isn't really a pond, its a basking spot and the water only goes up to his legs

 

[Tortoise_Nerd]

The tortoise is not at good health

 

[Tortoise_Nerd]

Post some pics please

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

The tortoise is not at good health

What are you basing this off of?

 

[Tortoise_Nerd]

The fact he's not active and the fact it's from petco... It might just be that he needs to get used to his new home though

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

The fact he's not active and the fact it's from petco... It might just be that he needs to get used to his new home though

Tortoises can be slow to adapt to new environments. This is the third day in a new (small) habitat and it sounds like temperatures still need to be worked out. I wouldn't assume signs of ill health from what the original poster has said.

 

[TriterTortoise]

he has been just sitting in the corner underneath the heating bulb for like an hour and a half. Should I be concerned?

 

[Tortoise_Nerd]

Oh the owner has only had it for 3 days?

 

[Tortoise_Nerd]

Don't be, he's basking