Found this little fella!!!

Hevkemp20

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Joined
Aug 31, 2019
Messages
10
Location (City and/or State)
Kent
Hi there, my 9 year old son found this little guy outside our house (UK) the other day. He must be someone’s pet, we have knocked on neighbors doors but no one has claimed him.
I’m more than happy to keep him, in fact I’ve fallen in love with him!

Anyway I think it’s a male Russian, he’s very nosey and inquisitive, he’s eating and bathing and drinking well. I made him a hide filled with substrate to dig down in for the night as we are keeping him outside.

He seems very happy but when we found him he was extremely dehydrated, he had huge amounts of skin shedding from him which had gone now thank goodness.

I have tried the power of 3 formula to work out if he’s weighing up ok and he is 5.5” but weighs 357g, apparently he’s ideal weight would be 524g so I’m concerned he was lost for quite sometime. His beak is also severely overgrown which I will get clipped at vet tomorrow hopefully. As said before he is eating well.

Anyway, all the help you can give me is greatly welcomed as we have been thrown into the deep end [emoji3] and learning as we go which might not be ideal but we are prepared to get him everything he needs.
He also roams around the garden, in the dirt and soil when I’m out there.
He’s eating dandelion leaves, clover, some kale with some tortoise pellets.

Can you please let me know if I need to change anything and what species/sex you think it is.

Thank you in advance

Pictures below
 
Last edited:

katieandiggy

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Mar 12, 2018
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Suffolk, United Kingdom
Yes I agree I think you have a male russian there. His beak looks like it needs trimming too it’s quite overgrown.

He looks like he’s been Outside a while, his shell looks worn and rugged.

Maybe put some signs up to see if anyone has lost their tortoise.
 

RosemaryDW

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Newport Coast, CA
Welcome and thank you for looking out for this little guy!

Yes, a male Russian tortoise who may have raised too dry as a baby/juvenile; it's hard to see from the pictures. Frankly I wouldn't go looking for that tortoise's owner but that's just me.

I wouldn't worry much about his weight. Wild tortoises live through good years and lean years, foodwise; so long as your vet doesn't find other issues, he'll gain weight over time.

He'll dig through or over that wire in no time; he's already escaped once! :) Take a look at the enclosures section and you'll find some info on putting up something quick and cheap, perhaps with pavers.

This forum is tilted toward ownership in North America so you'll want to take a look at UK sites as well. Shelled Warriors is one; Tortoise Lady is another. You're going to have to hibernate him or keep him up in the winter, they will have guides for you. I don't think you have that long before he tries to hibernate himself outside so I'm afraid you'll have to make a decision on how you will manage winter fairly quickly.

Please don't let him free roam. I know you're watching him but Russians roam enormous territories in the wild in addition to being notorious escape artists. They are always looking for new territory; blend into their surroundings, and can move faster than you think. He's seen the wide world already and isn't going to forget it's out there. I find this time of year to be particularly tricky with mine. I don't know if it's because she's built to seek out the best hibernation spot or what but in fall she gets extra focused on testing her enclosure. In fact this is just the time of year we found her on the street, escaped from her last owner.

You might get advice from other members here on avoiding vets or being extra careful when choosing one. That's because good reptile vets aren't as common here as in the UK. So long as you are sure they work with tortoises regularly you should be fine.

Good luck with your little one! I think he's in a good place with you and your family.
 

Hevkemp20

New Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2019
Messages
10
Location (City and/or State)
Kent
Welcome and thank you for looking out for this little guy!

Yes, a male Russian tortoise who may have raised too dry as a baby/juvenile; it's hard to see from the pictures. Frankly I wouldn't go looking for that tortoise's owner but that's just me.

I wouldn't worry much about his weight. Wild tortoises live through good years and lean years, foodwise; so long as your vet doesn't find other issues, he'll gain weight over time.

He'll dig through or over that wire in no time; he's already escaped once! :) Take a look at the enclosures section and you'll find some info on putting up something quick and cheap, perhaps with pavers.

This forum is tilted toward ownership in North America so you'll want to take a look at UK sites as well. Shelled Warriors is one; Tortoise Lady is another. You're going to have to hibernate him or keep him up in the winter, they will have guides for you. I don't think you have that long before he tries to hibernate himself outside so I'm afraid you'll have to make a decision on how you will manage winter fairly quickly.

Please don't let him free roam. I know you're watching him but Russians roam enormous territories in the wild in addition to being notorious escape artists. They are always looking for new territory; blend into their surroundings, and can move faster than you think. He's seen the wide world already and isn't going to forget it's out there. I find this time of year to be particularly tricky with mine. I don't know if it's because she's built to seek out the best hibernation spot or what but in fall she gets extra focused on testing her enclosure. In fact this is just the time of year we found her on the street, escaped from her last owner.

You might get advice from other members here on avoiding vets or being extra careful when choosing one. That's because good reptile vets aren't as common here as in the UK. So long as you are sure they work with tortoises regularly you should be fine.

Good luck with your little one! I think he's in a good place with you and your family.

Thank you so much, I completely agree, this is all we had from a previous pet. I am looking forward to building his forever home :)

I’ve actually just put a post about hibernation, I really don’t know what to do?

I am not keen on finding his previous owner as it looks like he may not have been cared for in the best way.

Noted about the roaming and taken on board, thank you [emoji4]
 

Blackdog1714

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Richmond, VA
With an indoor habitat you do not have to worry about brumation-hibernation for cold bloods. It appears that the tortoise was looking for an owner UPGRADE and got one. I know I would claim it I had done that. Good Luck
 

Hevkemp20

New Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2019
Messages
10
Location (City and/or State)
Kent
With an indoor habitat you do not have to worry about brumation-hibernation for cold bloods. It appears that the tortoise was looking for an owner UPGRADE and got one. I know I would claim it I had done that. Good Luck

Thank you so much, I’m already totally head over heels with this little guy, he means the world so want to keep him safe and happy and healthy.
 
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