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  1. pdelpizzo

    8 year old male Russian Tort needs a home

    I'm moving to Denver this weekend from S. Florida and I need to find a warm weather home for my 8 year old Russian. I wish I could keep him but I'll be in an extended stay for a few months while I find a house and then there's still too many uncertainties about accommodations for him. I'm...
  2. pdelpizzo

    Getting Cold!

    With temperatures dropping significantly this week, I'm concerned about my Russian Tortoise living outside. I live in South Florida and rarely see temperatures in the 40s but this week it's forecast to drop to 40, 38, and 43 the next 3 nights with highs of 60 and 62. I'm wondering if my tortoise...
  3. pdelpizzo

    Why not to keep 2 tortoises together - a lesson learned the hard way

    I actually lost a tortoise to bullying. I initially bought 2 yearling Russians. It was great for awhile but eventually one started to surpass the other and gradually the bullying started and intensified. I didn't know enough at the time to prevent it soon enough. Once I finally separated them...
  4. pdelpizzo

    Tick on My Russian

    I ended up finding a vet that had tortoise experience and he took it off. If it happens again I'll try it myself but he was due for an exam anyway. The vet said this was a tick that only bites tortoises and that tortoise ticks are generally much larger than others. He suggested there are...
  5. pdelpizzo

    Tick on My Russian

    I just discovered a what I think is a very engorged dog tick on my Russian tortoise. His vet and the next closest exotic vet are out of town for the weekend. The 3rd closest exotic vet is fully booked. I'm reluctant to try to remove this myself. Is it critical that it be removed? Not sure what...
  6. pdelpizzo

    Russian needs a home in San Diego

    I recommend the san diego tortoise society. They will take good care of him and find him a good home. Patrick Del Pizzo Cooper City, FL
  7. pdelpizzo

    Egrets and Torts

    A cattle egret has been frequenting my backyard recently. He occasionally eats anoles and drinks ftom my pool. Has anyone known egrets to go after smaller torts? I have a 4 yr old Russian that sometimes roams around back there. Thanks! Patrick Del Pizzo Cooper City, FL
  8. pdelpizzo

    Normal Growth?

    I noticed a wide growth line circling the shell of my Russian this morning. Does this look normal?
  9. pdelpizzo

    No Sun...

    We'll be here for a year and then probably move somewhere more permanent. Hopefully a house. I didn't have the luxury of being too choosy this time around. I could let her bask indoors in the morning and then put her outside if I can find a suitable heat source. Otherwise, I suppose she'll have...
  10. pdelpizzo

    No Sun...

    I'll try to post a pic tomorrow. What about a surface heat source? I've seen some reptile heating pads. There is no direct sun at all. Is there enough uv in the shade without direct rays?
  11. pdelpizzo

    No Sun...

    I just moved into a new apartment in Miami and realized that my north facing balcony gets no direct sun (at least this time of year). My small Russian was living happily in an outdoor enclosure on my sunny balcony in San Diego and I had hoped to have the same set up here in Miami. I assume...
  12. pdelpizzo

    No Sun...

    Are these ok to use outdoors? And would it focus the heat well in an outdoor environment? Or would it need to be enclosed? [hr] This is the enclosure I'm dealing with. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-49165.html#axzz2CQdsUtxY
  13. pdelpizzo

    No Sun...

    I just moved into a new apartment in Miami and realized that my north facing balcony gets no direct sun (at least this time of year). My small Russian was living happily in an outdoor enclosure on my sunny balcony in San Diego and I had hoped to have the same set up here in Miami. I assume...
  14. pdelpizzo

    Good enclosure option

    I came across this 35 gallon pond liner at homedepot today. It's 38 inches across at the top (exterior) and 31 inches across at the interior midpoint. At $30 it seems like a great enclosure option. Patrick http://www.homedepot.com/buy/beckett-35-gal-plastic-patio-pond-pp1035.html#.UH3FgMXA98s
  15. pdelpizzo

    Vet in Miami?

    I recently drove my tortoises from San Diego to our new home in Miami. Can anyone recommend a good tortoise vet in the Miami area based on personal experience? Thanks! Patrick
  16. pdelpizzo

    Driving Cross-Country

    One is actively trying to get out. Is it better to set up lights at night for a couple of hours and feed?
  17. pdelpizzo

    Driving Cross-Country

    Can anyone add to this? I've just completed day 2 of my 5-6 day trip. I'm using small dark containers with paper towels for transport. I also have hand warmers to keep them warm, though its pretty warm right now and I'm keeping them out of the ac breeze. Should I be feeding them during this...
  18. pdelpizzo

    Driving Cross-Country

    I will be moving from San Diego to Miami later this month and driving my 2 Russian tortoises across the country. I'm guessing it will take me about 5 days. I've read that it's best to enclose them in a small dark container, maybe twice the size of the tortoise? Is this accurate? Will I need some...
  19. pdelpizzo

    My new russian

    You can microwave or heat water on the stove. 90 to 95 degrees is ideal. If your Russian is indoors at night i don't think you need a night time heating bulb. They can be kept in the 60s at night and I can't imagine your house is any colder than that. The enclosure should have a cool spot in the...
  20. pdelpizzo

    Wireless Webcam

    In case anyone is interested, I ended up going with the D-Link DCS-930L. It was insanely easy to setup and D-Link has an Android and IPhone/IPad app to connect. It's also viewable online. It has motion activation and recording options that I'm not using. So far I'm extremely satisfied. I've been...
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