New Russian tortoise parent- diet!

We are new Russian tortoise owners for about a week now. We've never had one so I'm concerned about a few things. We'll start with diet... she only wants tomatoes. I put leafy greens in there with a few pieces of grape tomato, and she won't touch the greens but devours the tomatoes. Are they even safe for them to eat? What if that's the only thing she'll eat? Can a tortoise survive on tomatoes alone?
The second thing is... she burrows all the time. Is it normal for her to burrow in the coconut fiber and sleep most of the day? I'm not sure how old she is, but her shell is a little larger than my palm. Any help is appreciated!!! Thank you in advance!

Hello and welcome to the forum!
Tomatoes along with other fruits are not a good food source. I would cut them from the diet immediately. They can not process the sugars in them properly. Leafy greens and weeds are the ideal diet.
Of course your tort will want the tomatoes, it's like offering a kid candy or a salad. Don't be surprised if she trys to go on hunger strike to get them.
Will you share your temps and humidity with us?
What kind of lights and heating are you using?
How big is the enclosure?
Do you offer outside time?
Have you read our caresheets?

Thank you for your response! I'm sorry about the other post. I just joined tonight and I was having trouble with my laptop and wasn't sure if the first one posted. I didn't mean to double post. Anyway, I will stop the tomatoes. She wasn't eating anything for about two days until I put them in there and boy did she chow down! We have a 40 gallon reptile tank with a heat lamp and UV light that we will probably upgrade soon. We were told the one that came with the kit wasn't strong enough. I'm not sure of the temp or humidity, but we are in Baton Rouge, LA so we're not exactly short on humidity and heat. She is kept inside, and we try to give her time outside everyday. We are in a temporary rental home while we build our house, and plan to build her a nice outdoor space/habitat to enjoy at the new house. I will definitely go read that care sheets! Thank you!

jgbutler said:

We are new Russian tortoise owners for about a week now. We've never had one so I'm concerned about a few things. We'll start with diet... she only wants tomatoes. I put leafy greens in there with a few pieces of grape tomato, and she won't touch the greens but devours the tomatoes. Are they even safe for them to eat? What if that's the only thing she'll eat? Can a tortoise survive on tomatoes alone?
The second thing is... she burrows all the time. Is it normal for her to burrow in the coconut fiber and sleep most of the day? I'm not sure how old she is, but her shell is a little larger than my palm. Any help is appreciated!!! Thank you in advance!

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You can pour the tomato juice/guts all over greens and let the tort get use to that and then eventually the tort will eat.....it will eat....

A large variety of leafy green foods is your best bet to have a healthy tortoise. I love https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/ to give me ideas on different plants I can feed my tortoise and warning for which plants I need to avoid. Petunia, zinnia, roses, hosta, lilacs, grape vines (just leaves no fruits), dandelion, mallow, bean leaves, corn leaves, and field bind weed are a few of the plants I find easily in my yard. If the foods in my yard are insufficient I fall back to store purchased leafy greens (kale, some herbs, and many varieties of lettuce).

I've noticed it takes several introductions of any new food before my tortoises will try eating them. So attempt to introduce him to all the 'approved' broadleaf weeds, flower, and lettuces that are available to you. It might take a several days of only not having tomatoes before he is hungry enough to attempt to eat the leafy greens that are on his plate.

Definitely give leafy greens to your tort because it’s the best diet you can give them. Also since your tort is still young, they do tend to stay buried more since they’re in a new place. You could try putting a fake plant near their basking area so that they can come out more without feeling exposed. My Bean definitely starting hanging outside much more ever since I added a fake plant near her basking spot and ever since then she’ll come out much more often and wander around. You could try handling them more so they feel comfortable with you.

Welcome! We are in Watson. We’ve only had our Russian for about three weeks.

TriciaStringer said:

Welcome! We are in Watson. We’ve only had our Russian for about three weeks.

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We're actually in Central! Practically neighbors!!!

Thank you everyone! I think she's getting used to us. She's spending more time awake and not burrowed. I'm feeding her out of my super greens for my salads, shredded carrots, zucchini, and I read that cilantro is ok for them too. Thank yo for all of the great advice. I really appreciate it!

Check out the posts I made for edible foods and inedible foods. I have 7 Russians and have been tracking some things I know they will eat or not.

jgbutler said:

Thank you everyone! I think she's getting used to us. She's spending more time awake and not burrowed. I'm feeding her out of my super greens for my salads, shredded carrots, zucchini, and I read that cilantro is ok for them too. Thank yo for all of the great advice. I really appreciate it!

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Cactus pads are a good thing to add.

TriciaStringer said:

Cactus pads are a good thing to add.

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I did read this somewhere, too. Where do you get yours from?

jgbutler said:

I did read this somewhere, too. Where do you get yours from?

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A little Hispanic grocery store, La Frontera. https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en-...6be91dbb0af89:0x835cd33d7848600d&gmm=CgIgAQ==

Ive been going through the same thing as you. I've had my tortoise for almost a month now. And all they want to do is borrow. Not only is it winter although I don't know where your from its nice and cold outside where i'm from. Tortoises like to hunker down and conserve energy during the winter months. And or hibernate. So not only that but them getting use to a new encloser could make them not as active until they get use to it. Welcome to the forum and good luck