Experience with turtlestore.com

Leah A

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Joined
May 5, 2020
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8
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Albany
I am looking for a yearling captive-bred Russian tortoise and have not been able to find one from the smaller breeders that have been recommended on this forum. Turtle Store turtlestore.com or https://www.turtlestore.com/ online has yearlings right now. Does anyone have experience with this company and the health of their animals? They say they are different from My Turtle Store which I have seen some unfavorable reviews of on this forum. This tortoise is for my daughter who lost a turtle so we are hoping to get a healthy animal that is older than a baby. We have purchased from smaller breeders in the past but am having trouble find a yearling. I wrote CaroleS to ask. Any other recommendations? Thanks, Leah
 

ZenHerper

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Feb 27, 2020
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New Jersey
@Carol S is an excellent choice.

Tortstork hatches and raises their own as well:
 

Matteo

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Jul 26, 2021
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Kentucky
$500 for Russians on tortstork? ?idk this is my first isn’t that high?
 

Markw84

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Sacramento, CA (Central Valley)
I am looking for a yearling captive-bred Russian tortoise and have not been able to find one from the smaller breeders that have been recommended on this forum. Turtle Store turtlestore.com or https://www.turtlestore.com/ online has yearlings right now. Does anyone have experience with this company and the health of their animals? They say they are different from My Turtle Store which I have seen some unfavorable reviews of on this forum. This tortoise is for my daughter who lost a turtle so we are hoping to get a healthy animal that is older than a baby. We have purchased from smaller breeders in the past but am having trouble find a yearling. I wrote CaroleS to ask. Any other recommendations? Thanks, Leah
Turtlestore.com is one of their names. They have secured a lot of names for their business. Look at reviews for Tortoise Town which is one of their better known names. Also go by startortoiseworld.
 

Leah A

New Member
Joined
May 5, 2020
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8
Location (City and/or State)
Albany

Leah A

New Member
Joined
May 5, 2020
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Albany
$500 for Russians on tortstork? ?idk this is my first isn’t that high?
Look at their prices for hatchlings. The older individuals are more expensive that the hatchlings. We have one Russian that we raised from a hatchling which is super fun to do. We just want an older one as our daughters want tortoises of similar age and size.
 

ArmadilloPup

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Jul 15, 2019
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307
Location (City and/or State)
NE Oklahoma
$500 for Russians on tortstork? ?idk this is my first isn’t that high?
Looks like $300 for hatchlings. His prices have gone up in the past 2 years and generally do run a little higher than average. You can see the pattern on his reviews, there was an explosion of people that suddenly started buying tortoises so his are in high demand. His stock is healthy and attractive.

My marginated is from AZ Tortoise Compound and Andrew is also very knowledgeable/starts them well, they run a little bit cheaper but shipping may take longer for east coast.
 

Matteo

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Joined
Jul 26, 2021
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Kentucky
Looks like $300 for hatchlings. His prices have gone up in the past 2 years and generally do run a little higher than average. You can see the pattern on his reviews, there was an explosion of people that suddenly started buying tortoises so his are in high demand. His stock is healthy and attractive.

My marginated is from AZ Tortoise Compound and Andrew is also very knowledgeable/starts them well, they run a little bit cheaper but shipping may take longer for east coast.
I am just so scared about a hatchling like I need a list what I need. I have a big tortoise box but he will have to be inside since I live in Kentucky and you don’t know the weather if it will rain or snow one day after the next. If there something you can point me to?
 

ArmadilloPup

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307
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NE Oklahoma
I am just so scared about a hatchling like I need a list what I need. I have a big tortoise box but he will have to be inside since I live in Kentucky and you don’t know the weather if it will rain or snow one day after the next. If there something you can point me to?

Don't be scared :)

Obligatory recommended reading for Russians/Hermann's/Greek/marginated

You can use a Rubbermaid tub for a hatchling! Other indoor options are mini greenhouses, grow tents, or reptile breeder tanks (they are flatter with more floor space than aquariums - bigger is better).

Example shopping list (linked examples are not necessarily the best product):
  • Substrate (fir bark or cypress)
  • Temperature/humidity gauges
  • A T5 bulb and hood for UV
  • A deep dome lamp with a CHE bulb for heat (probably 60 or 100 watt, don't cook your baby)
  • (Optional but great to have, definitely recommend it for the UV) An outlet with a timer
  • (Optional but great to have) A programmable thermostat (plug your CHE into this)
  • Terracotta saucer for water
  • A slate/stone to place food on (helps keep their beak worn down)
  • Places for your baby to hide (fake or real plants, half-buried pot, tupperware with a hole - get creative).
  • Calcium - it's good to have one with D3 for occasional dusting and a source without D3 (like cuttlebone)
  • Food is your choice, there are threads and threads about what is best
  • A kitchen scale to monitor your baby's weight!
 

Matteo

New Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2021
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Kentucky
Don't be scared :)

Obligatory recommended reading for Russians/Hermann's/Greek/marginated

You can use a Rubbermaid tub for a hatchling! Other indoor options are mini greenhouses, grow tents, or reptile breeder tanks (they are flatter with more floor space than aquariums - bigger is better).

Example shopping list (linked examples are not necessarily the best product):
  • Substrate (fir bark or cypress)
  • Temperature/humidity gauges
  • A T5 bulb and hood for UV
  • A deep dome lamp with a CHE bulb for heat (probably 60 or 100 watt, don't cook your baby)
  • (Optional but great to have, definitely recommend it for the UV) An outlet with a timer
  • (Optional but great to have) A programmable thermostat (plug your CHE into this)
  • Terracotta saucer for water
  • A slate/stone to place food on (helps keep their beak worn down)
  • Places for your baby to hide (fake or real plants, half-buried pot, tupperware with a hole - get creative).
  • Calcium - it's good to have one with D3 for occasional dusting and a source without D3 (like cuttlebone)
  • Food is your choice, there are threads and threads about what is best
  • A kitchen scale to monitor your baby's weight!
Omg this helps me a ton!!!! But what about like the tempature and does it have to be humid? I have 2 cats so I have to have a lid cause they are cray but would this tortoise box work? I have ordered it already but now I am second guessing myself.
Aivituvin Wooden Tortoise House Large Tortoise Habitat, Indoor Tortoises Enclosure for Small Animals, Outdoor Reptile Cage - Upgraded Weatherproof Bottom https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VRY6X58/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Also I researched that I have to soak them everyday. Can I use just regular tap water? I am just scared and excited at the same time lol.
 

LeahK

Active Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2020
Messages
79
Location (City and/or State)
Berkeley CA
Omg this helps me a ton!!!! But what about like the tempature and does it have to be humid? I have 2 cats so I have to have a lid cause they are cray but would this tortoise box work? I have ordered it already but now I am second guessing myself.
Aivituvin Wooden Tortoise House Large Tortoise Habitat, Indoor Tortoises Enclosure for Small Animals, Outdoor Reptile Cage - Upgraded Weatherproof Bottom https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VRY6X58/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Also I researched that I have to soak them everyday. Can I use just regular tap water? I am just scared and excited at the same time lol.
To only answer your question about that Amazon cage, I would recommend returning it if you can. I got it, and it does not hold temperature or humidity well, which is really important for a hatchling.
 

Matteo

New Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2021
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Kentucky
To only answer your question about that Amazon cage, I would recommend returning it if you can. I got it, and it does not hold temperature or humidity well, which is really important for a hatchling.
So what would you recommend then? I have to have something with a lid since I have cats :’( I am getting so overwhelmed lol
 

LeahK

Active Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2020
Messages
79
Location (City and/or State)
Berkeley CA
So what would you recommend then? I have to have something with a lid since I have cats :’( I am getting so overwhelmed lol
Haha I feel you! I got an adult Russian, and had it living in entirely wrong conditions before I found this forum. Trying to change enclosures and doing all the upgrades was stressful!

Everyone here recommends closed chambers for babies. Here’s a good link from the enclosure section on building your own. I think a few people here sell them as well. You could also use a large vivarium, but you’d probably need to upgrade the size sooner than you’d like for the cost.

For my new hatchling, I am using a massive, antique cabinet, which is not really recommended to be honest. You need humidity levels around or above 70%, which means the wood could rot pretty fast. I am using it because I live in the Bay Area and my apartment is pretty warm, and the humidity is usually pretty high on the outside already. I can get and maintain the proper humidity and temperatures in there, and I’m not worried about destroying the wood since I only need it for 2-3 years anyway.

Everything I know about tortoises I learned from this forum. I recommend reading the care sheet armadillogroomer posted until you know everything on it by heart. Also, if you use the search function on this website, you’ll find a ton of good threads with resources and advice.
 

jsheffield

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Sep 29, 2018
Messages
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Westmoreland, NH
I know it's not what you originally posted about, but I wonder if you've considered a rescue or foundling?

I live with 4 Russian Tortoises, three of them came from people who no longer wanted them on Craigslist, one that was found wandering in a park. They're all fantastic specimens who needed a home.

It's not the same thing as raising a hatchling or yearling from a tiny, but it's another thing that I've found that I truly love!

Jamie
 

Matteo

New Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2021
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Kentucky
Haha I feel you! I got an adult Russian, and had it living in entirely wrong conditions before I found this forum. Trying to change enclosures and doing all the upgrades was stressful!

Everyone here recommends closed chambers for babies. Here’s a good link from the enclosure section on building your own. I think a few people here sell them as well. You could also use a large vivarium, but you’d probably need to upgrade the size sooner than you’d like for the cost.

For my new hatchling, I am using a massive, antique cabinet, which is not really recommended to be honest. You need humidity levels around or above 70%, which means the wood could rot pretty fast. I am using it because I live in the Bay Area and my apartment is pretty warm, and the humidity is usually pretty high on the outside already. I can get and maintain the proper humidity and temperatures in there, and I’m not worried about destroying the wood since I only need it for 2-3 years anyway.

Everything I know about tortoises I learned from this forum. I recommend reading the care sheet armadillogroomer posted until you know everything on it by heart. Also, if you use the search function on this website, you’ll find a ton of good threads with resources and advice.

Thank you! But if humidity and temperature is big wouldn’t a terrarium be better then? I would think that could hold temperature and humidity. Or am I thinking wrong?
 

LeahK

Active Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2020
Messages
79
Location (City and/or State)
Berkeley CA
Thank you! But if humidity and temperature is big wouldn’t a terrarium be better then? I would think that could hold temperature and humidity. Or am I thinking wrong?
I guess I don’t know the difference between vivarium and terrarium? Lol. I just meant a big glass tank that can hold temperature and humidity. My understanding is that a closed chamber would still be better for growing into though.
 

MenagerieGrl

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Tortoise Club
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Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Messages
1,163
Location (City and/or State)
El Sobrante, CA.
Don't be scared :)

Obligatory recommended reading for Russians/Hermann's/Greek/marginated

You can use a Rubbermaid tub for a hatchling! Other indoor options are mini greenhouses, grow tents, or reptile breeder tanks (they are flatter with more floor space than aquariums - bigger is better).

Example shopping list (linked examples are not necessarily the best product):
  • Substrate (fir bark or cypress)
  • Temperature/humidity gauges
  • A T5 bulb and hood for UV
  • A deep dome lamp with a CHE bulb for heat (probably 60 or 100 watt, don't cook your baby)
  • (Optional but great to have, definitely recommend it for the UV) An outlet with a timer
  • (Optional but great to have) A programmable thermostat (plug your CHE into this)
  • Terracotta saucer for water
  • A slate/stone to place food on (helps keep their beak worn down)
  • Places for your baby to hide (fake or real plants, half-buried pot, tupperware with a hole - get creative).
  • Calcium - it's good to have one with D3 for occasional dusting and a source without D3 (like cuttlebone)
  • Food is your choice, there are threads and threads about what is best
  • A kitchen scale to monitor your baby's weight!
I like the "Kitchen scale" Item. I use mine regularly...just to keep tab's on their eating & pooping
 

Leah A

New Member
Joined
May 5, 2020
Messages
8
Location (City and/or State)
Albany
I know it's not what you originally posted about, but I wonder if you've considered a rescue or foundling?

I live with 4 Russian Tortoises, three of them came from people who no longer wanted them on Craigslist, one that was found wandering in a park. They're all fantastic specimens who needed a home.

It's not the same thing as raising a hatchling or yearling from a tiny, but it's another thing that I've found that I truly love!

Jamie
We would like to get a rescue. What is the best way to get connected with folks wanting to rehome Russian tortoises?
 
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