Got My Very First Tortoise!

His name is Sheldon I just got him today and I already love him sooooo much!!! Any tips for a beginner would be much appreciated so I can make him as happy as possible!

Is that frozen greens your feeding him?

Hi kayteelc!

Welcome to the wonderful world of tortoises!

Based off the photo, I'd like to get you started by pointing you towards a better diet He needs some dark leafy greens. Save the yummy fruits and veggies for your plate and start browsing for a list of good stuff to feed. I can't link to it right now (on my phone app) but its out there.
For starters try:
Spring mix
Kale
Collard greens
And some untreated weeds like:
Dandelion
Plantain
Thistle

Have any untreated plants in your yard?
Rose petals and leaves
Hibiscus flowers and leaves
Grape vine leaves..

All this would get you off to a great start!

I can definitely get rose leaves and there's usually some dandelions growing around, but what's wrong with feeding him fresh fruit and veggies?

Fruit isn't part of their natural diet. It's high in sugars and can cause them issues.
Same with the broccoli type veggies.

He needs as much broad leafy weeds and plants as possible
It's what he was designed to eat

Welcome to the forum!! He looks good but the change in diet is needed

Welcome to the forum. I love Russian tortoises.

Congratulations on your new tortoise, he looks very cute!

As said above, you got some tips for his diet.
These are some great sources for information and help me a lot learning.

www.russiantortoise.net
www.thetortoisetable.org.uk


Have fun and enjoy your new friend.

Joey

Hello , Welcome and congrats!！!！!

welcome and congrats on your new tortoise. i have a russian too. as above i would change the diet to weeds and flowers. the tortoise table is a good source of info. or you can buy seed mixes to grow your own.

kayteelc said:

I can definitely get rose leaves and there's usually some dandelions growing around, but what's wrong with feeding him fresh fruit and veggies?

Click to expand...

This is not a fruit-eating species of tortoise. Eating fruit causes a parasite bloom in the gut.

You can feed him flowers!

Pansies are in bloom right now, you can feed the whole plant. http://m.thetortoisetable.org.uk/m/plants_19.asp?st=true&mode=main&catID=212

If you don't use fertiliser, on your lawn, check to see if you can find some plantain weed and mallow. (Pictures below)

Rose of Sharon is a common, hardy type of Hibiscus, which is also ok to feed. http://m.thetortoisetable.org.uk/m/plants_19.asp?st=true&mode=main&catID=237

Echinacea or coneflower are entirely edible, too. http://m.thetortoisetable.org.uk/m/plants_19.asp?st=true&mode=main&catID=101

Ice plants are really good, too. (Picture below)

Happy plant hunting!





May, Aussies, & THBs
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES

Thanks so much to everyone! I took him outside for the first time today and he ate some weeds in the yard. I took out the fruits and veggies put in some rose petals and leaves and a dandelion and honeysuckle! So far he really likes the honeysuckle

It takes some time to get everything right but just keep working on it. Check out the Russian care sheet on this forum in the species specific Russian tortoise section that will be a great start. I have had my Russian tortoise for almost 2 years now and I just love her personality.