Help! Im soo lost with my new russian kale!!

[cally]

Hello i am also new to this forum and i have a new russian named kale, ive literally heard so many different things im lost! Also kale just ate cactus ?? Idk what he is wanting? He is so friendly idk his age or anything now


Cally- Russian Tort <3

 

[Yvonne G]

It sounds to me as if you didn't do your homework (research) before you brought Kale into your home. But it's not too late. You can do it now. Here's a good place to start:

http://russiantortoise.net/care_sheet.htm

It's not fair for you to ask us to do the research for you. This is something you should do on your own. Then, after you've done all the reading and researching you can do, if you still have questions, we're very happy to help you.

 

[cally]

I have done plenty of reaearch, i kno what russians need. He had an enclosure with a basking lamp thats uva and other cool side is a uvb- his enclosure is apparently to small for his size, this is what the pet speciAlist at the store told me- to soak him on thursdays i use the reptisafe he doesnt eat his store bought food at all.. He uses wood chips with vita sand...


Cally- Russian Tort <3

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She said he was a male, and about one years old that they sent them in burlap sacks and now im told he is a female and no age guess... I dont want you to do the research i just need help becahse apparently eveything im doing is wrong, and he sleeps on me and ive gotten real personal with him- but i was told russians arent personal and only want me cus im warm... He literally just ate cactus outside ( i live in ohio) and now im scared... He wont sit still for me to trim is front claw thats a lot longer than the rest so its what he walks on- heres some pics? I hope u like


Cally- Russian Tort <3

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kale


Cally- Russian Tort <3

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I wasnt very specific with my questions - i apologize - im just getting so upset feeling like everything im doing is wrong his gender, age, enclosure... I thought the lady knew and seemed to care...


Cally- Russian Tort <3

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Also i am so scared about the cactus i am soaking him- hes drinkn a lot- does he have cactus in his mouth?? How can i comfort him and unstress this situation. Of things:/


Cally- Russian Tort <3

 

[JoesMum]

I have done plenty of reaearch, i kno what russians need. He had an enclosure with a basking lamp thats uva and other cool side is a uvb- his enclosure is apparently to small for his size, this is what the pet speciAlist at the store told me- to soak him on thursdays i use the reptisafe he doesnt eat his store bought food at all.. He uses wood chips with vita sand...


Cally- Russian Tort <3

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She said he was a male, and about one years old that they sent them in burlap sacks and now im told he is a female and no age guess... I dont want you to do the research i just need help becahse apparently eveything im doing is wrong, and he sleeps on me and ive gotten real personal with him- but i was told russians arent personal and only want me cus im warm... He literally just ate cactus outside ( i live in ohio) and now im scared... He wont sit still for me to trim is front claw thats a lot longer than the rest so its what he walks on- heres some pics? I hope u like


Cally- Russian Tort <3

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kale


Cally- Russian Tort <3

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I wasnt very specific with my questions - i apologize - im just getting so upset feeling like everything im doing is wrong his gender, age, enclosure... I thought the lady knew and seemed to care...


Cally- Russian Tort <3

---

Also i am so scared about the cactus i am soaking him- hes drinkn a lot- does he have cactus in his mouth?? How can i comfort him and unstress this situation. Of things:/


Cally- Russian Tort <3

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Your tort is much older than one year. We cannot tell its age because they all grow at different rates. It might be about 5 years and is wild caught regardless if what the store said. You cannot reliably sex a Russian until it is at least 5 inches long.

Cactus makes great food for torts, so don't worry about that. Your tort needs a diet of a variety of leafy greens. Fruit should only be fed occasionally as your tort cannot digest sugars properly.

I live in the UK and it's bed time, but others will be along with more help.

 

[pam]

Take a breath dont worry sooooooooooooo much Kale will be fine just read the link Yvonne posted for you

 

[cally]

Thank you and goonight sorry to bother at bedtime!


Cally- Russian Tort <3

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I kno but guess what i clipped the nail that was making him walk funny and it bleed a tad- OMG!! But i fixed his cage a little- ? im tryna take a breath i just didnt kno...


Cally- Russian Tort <3

 

[pam]

Its only 4:46 pm here in Minnesota

 

[cally]

Ahhh! Lol he prolly hates me!


Cally- Russian Tort <3

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Its 5:47 in ohio lol- and pam do you hold ur torts?


Cally- Russian Tort <3

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I thought he was a baby lol omgoshh and i thought one day he was gunna be huge and id hafta make a ramp for him to come back inside- :x


Cally- Russian Tort <3

 

[pam]

Yes I hold them but not alot The males dont get very big the females get larger than the males

 

[cally]

Hes so friendly tho so how big are yours? I thought they liked to be around us ya kno- kale runs the whole upstairs i use a baby gate- so is that wrong for me to do? Wow i have so many ?s sorry


Cally- Russian Tort <3

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kale does tuck his tail- but sometimes he dont... ( when we were discussing gender yesterday hmmmm lol


Cally- Russian Tort <3

 

[pam]

From thoes pictures Kale looks Female to me

 

[cally]

Lol figures.. so do females act diff?? Should i be aware of anything? You have so much food information! Thank you


Cally- Russian Tort <3

 

[pam]

I dont let them roam the house they like to be in there enclosure they seem to feel safe there plus I have dogs. When its nice outside they get to go in there outside enclosures. Mine dont seem to like to cuddle like your Kale does

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They all have different personalities male or female I have no favorite I love them all

 

[cally]

all i need is to figure out his enclosure - i have a empty rabbit cage- empty fish tank- and stand - oh lord i need to turn on my imagination somehow


Cally- Russian Tort <3

 

[pam]

They have thoes Big RubberMaid 50 gallon storage containers at Target for under 15 dollars thats a thought or check out the enclosure section there are a lot of great ideas there

 

[cally]

I would like to build one


Cally- Russian Tort <3

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Kake is a girl. I have 3 girls and a boy. Trust me, that's a girl.

A yearling Russian is tiny. You have a sub/adult.

Cactus is yummy. Only worry about it if it was sprayed with poison.

The enclosure is fine for night time but a big, big outdoor pen is the best.

I'd never let my tortoises run around the house. I like to let them roam their big custom gardens instead. Safe for them and they like it much more than a human house IMO.

Heather
Sent from my Android TFO app

 

[cally]

Thank you for that! Im freaking out way more than i should be- so i would like to make another indoor closure to roam... And would kale like Another female friend? Im usually so created im just in a brain fog here :/ idk what i should do for now to let kale roAm during the day?


Cally- Russian Tort <3

 

[Levi the Leopard]

No friend. Let kale be the queen of your heart and rule her own castle!

Heather
Sent from my Android TFO app

 

[wiccan_chicken]

First, calm It's alright.
Second when you trimmed her nail you cut the quick, a veign inside the nail. When you next trim her claws, don't go anywhere near the dark line down the middle.

Second, the set up looks very small for Kale, I'd recommend at LEAST a 50 gallon rubbermaid. I bought mine for 15 at Lowes. I then cut the top and added chicken wire to rest my lights on (and to keep my cats out)

The weird bark stuff, I'd recommend getting rid of, also sand. Sand is a big irritant of the eyes and can be dangerous. I use cheap Topsoil from walmart. Better traction, cheap and easy. Also Kale would love to be able to dig in the dirt

As for running around the house, I wouldn't do, there's lots of things Kale can get in to and eat, or get hurt by or trapped under. It's a huge danger. Also the house tends to be pretty cool. I'd recommend taking her outside in the yard where no pesticide, fertalizer etc has been, and let her wander. A kiddie pool with dirt and a place to hide is a good start, till you can build something bigger for Kale to run around in. NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF KALE WHILE SHES RUNNING FREE THEY DO SLIP AWAY.

And yes, I think Kale is a little girl. They don't act any different, and do get slightly bigger but not huge. Kale just needs a larger enclosure to run around in.
Also, Cactus is yummy to a tort I can post pictures of my Vodka and her set up etc if you want.