Rescue Russian

Chefdenoel10

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Tortoise Club
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I was checking Craigslist for large reptile enclosures when I found a listing by a guy who had to get rid of his Russian tortoise... in a hurry.

I was a bit leery that there was some variety of scam involved, but I texted him anyway, and he got back in touch within minutes.

View attachment 278064

The guy said that "Smirnoff" was 20 years old and had been living on romaine lettuce in his 15 gallon tote, with a heat lamp and a hot rock... he said that in the summer they went to the beach with a string tired around Smirnoff's leg to keep him from wandering off.

Putting various doubts aside, we back and forthed a bit before he landed on leaving Smirnoff on his front porch, in his tote, for me to come by and get him... no money was mentioned or changed hands.

I headed down this morning, and Smirnoff avidly watched me drive him away from the only home he'd ever known with only a little doubt in his eye.

View attachment 278065

I got home and put my new Russian tortoise, whose name will not be Smirnoff, in an outside enclosure (moved from the spot where Darwin had been using it for some degree of quarantine/isolation) with some weeds and flowers to gnosh on while I set up his inside enclosure.

View attachment 278066

The netting kept him nicely shaded on a sunny day, and when I came back to get him he seemed to be enjoying a light drizzle.

I gave him a warm-water soak and some food and gave him an overall examination:
1) his beak is a bit overgrown, but not so much he can't eat
2) he's lived dry and it shows
3) his diet has been lacking in quality and variety
4) he seems to enjoy the increased space in his newfound life, both inside and out
5) he's got a little round bump on the tip of his tail
6) he weighs 476g, and is 134mm

I've read the TFO caresheets on Russians, and hope he'll like his new home....

Jamie

Dear Jamie,
I think I just fell in love with you!
Thank you sooooo much for rescuing this poor baby. NOW he will have a better life!!
I am sending you all of my prayers and hugs and luck for a great new home for the both of you!!!
I can’t believe he just left him on the porch!
Again, (even though I am female and married to a man) I love you!!!!❤️??
 

Chefdenoel10

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Lucky tort! Great find Jamie. I’m a sucker for those Craigslist ads too! That’s how I ended up with a chameleon that was addicted to pot and had never had UVB light

how is your Chamaeleon doing after all this time?? Do you still give him pot???
 

Chefdenoel10

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Tortoise Club
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Messages
3,162
Location (City and/or State)
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Chefdenoel10

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Tortoise Club
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3,162
Location (City and/or State)
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jsheffield

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Sep 29, 2018
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Westmoreland, NH
That's cool, we don't have those as far down south really. Does Chili like eating the leaves? And has he mated successfully with Persephone yet?
I haven't seen any of them eating the strawberry when they're outside.

He has mated with all of the females, but Persephone is his favorite... if she's in the enclosure, he doesn't even notice the other two females.

J
 

Cathie G

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Lancaster
I haven't seen any of them eating the strawberry when they're outside.

He has mated with all of the females, but Persephone is his favorite... if she's in the enclosure, he doesn't even notice the other two females.

J
Hello this is the first I've seen this thread. I love it. My little Russian enjoys the wild strawberries and since they're not sweet, I hand feed him one now and then from the stem.?
 

DoubleD1996!

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Joined
Feb 27, 2021
Messages
1,256
Location (City and/or State)
Memphis
I was checking Craigslist for large reptile enclosures when I found a listing by a guy who had to get rid of his Russian tortoise... in a hurry.

I was a bit leery that there was some variety of scam involved, but I texted him anyway, and he got back in touch within minutes.

View attachment 278064

The guy said that "Smirnoff" was 20 years old and had been living on romaine lettuce in his 15 gallon tote, with a heat lamp and a hot rock... he said that in the summer they went to the beach with a string tired around Smirnoff's leg to keep him from wandering off.

Putting various doubts aside, we back and forthed a bit before he landed on leaving Smirnoff on his front porch, in his tote, for me to come by and get him... no money was mentioned or changed hands.

I headed down this morning, and Smirnoff avidly watched me drive him away from the only home he'd ever known with only a little doubt in his eye.

View attachment 278065

I got home and put my new Russian tortoise, whose name will not be Smirnoff, in an outside enclosure (moved from the spot where Darwin had been using it for some degree of quarantine/isolation) with some weeds and flowers to gnosh on while I set up his inside enclosure.

View attachment 278066

The netting kept him nicely shaded on a sunny day, and when I came back to get him he seemed to be enjoying a light drizzle.

I gave him a warm-water soak and some food and gave him an overall examination:
1) his beak is a bit overgrown, but not so much he can't eat
2) he's lived dry and it shows
3) his diet has been lacking in quality and variety
4) he seems to enjoy the increased space in his newfound life, both inside and out
5) he's got a little round bump on the tip of his tail
6) he weighs 476g, and is 134mm

I've read the TFO caresheets on Russians, and hope he'll like his new home....

Jamie
Good job man. Most people on Craigslist animals are in horrible conditions. They get tired of them and try to make some profit from tbem.
 

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