Help to ID new Tortoise

[rockyMTNtortoise]

I recently rescued this toroise. I was told he was a Russian but now I have some doubts. If he is I would like to hibernate him. Please let me know what you think. Also, I was told he is a male.
Thank You

 

[Kristina]

Yes, you do have a male Russian tortoise. However, you absolutely should NOT hibernate him, especially if he is a "rescue." The reason for this is that he could have health or nutritional problems that you do not know about, and you do not have enough time this year to evaluate him thoroughly. It is not recommended to hibernate any tortoise in the first year of ownership. Please reconsider - it could be the difference between life and death.

The shape of his beak points to metabolic bone disease. He may have other underlying problems.

 

[babylove6635]

yes its a russian and i would say yes to being a male too. good luck where did you rescue it form?

 

[dmarcus]

Def a russian...

 

[rockyMTNtortoise]

yes its a russian and i would say yes to being a male too. good luck where did you rescue it form?

I rescued him from the Colorado Reptile Humane Society on
on 08/29/2011. Thank you for the help.

 

[dmmj]

male, also looks like to be a decent size one. I would also advise against hibernating the first year you get it, also it could use a beak trim.

 

[rockyMTNtortoise]

Yes, you do have a male Russian tortoise. However, you absolutely should NOT hibernate him, especially if he is a "rescue." The reason for this is that he could have health or nutritional problems that you do not know about, and you do not have enough time this year to evaluate him thoroughly. It is not recommended to hibernate any tortoise in the first year of ownership. Please reconsider - it could be the difference between life and death.

The shape of his beak points to metabolic bone disease. He may have other underlying problems.

First of all thank you for your help and advice. I have taken Deuce to my exotic veterinarian twice since I rescued him on 08/06/2011. She highly reccomended to hibernate him, therefore, I am a little confused.

 

[Kristina]

I am unsure as to why she would highly recommend this, to be completely honest. It is not necessary to hibernate them. They can live happy, full lives living indoors full time. The only real reason that it is necessary to hibernate a Russian is to induce breeding. Hibernation is not a necessary condition, but rather how Russians have adapted to survive during the cold and hot/dry months of their extremely harsh homeland. If they are kept in optimal conditions year round, hibernation becomes unnecessary. Also, if you do hibernate, there is a chance that your tortoise can die during hibernation, because of malnutrition, respiratory infections due to cold/damp conditions, burrows flooding, etc. If you keep him warm and happy indoors, there is no chance of him dying from those things.

I honestly would seek a second opinion, and perhaps a different vet. Did your vet say anything about how thick and overgrown his beak is? Just because a vet knows "exotics" does not make them a good tortoise veterinarian. Granted, I am NOT a veterinarian, but I do have veterinary technical training, but even more importantly, 18 years experience keeping tortoises, and that is what I base my knowledge and opinions on.

Oh, and you are welcome I know you are doing your best to do what is right for your little guy, and I want to help.

 

[ascott]

I agree with Kristina on not hibernating him this winter....especially since you are still new to him and not yet have had enough time to evaluate and get to know him and his routine....also that beak is an indicator that he had some husbandry issues prior to you.

I would not count out ever hibernating him....if done properly it is an ok thing, although when we humans hibernate them....it is not a "true" hibernation...as he should be checked on at least once a month to assure all is going well...if this is done then if anything weird appears you can simply warm em up and stop the hibernation for the season....however, I again would stress that hibernation should not be a goal in the near future....IMHO

I personally would be concerned with the choice of vet...I only say that due to if no discussion was prompted by the vet in regards to the beak then I would be concerned that your vet does not have an eye for signs of potential problems in your tort....now, I am not knocking the vet as a vet ...just simply sharing my opinion and concerns with that vet and your tortoise

 

[rockyMTNtortoise]

I agree with Kristina on not hibernating him this winter....especially since you are still new to him and not yet have had enough time to evaluate and get to know him and his routine....also that beak is an indicator that he had some husbandry issues prior to you.

I would not count out ever hibernating him....if done properly it is an ok thing, although when we humans hibernate them....it is not a "true" hibernation...as he should be checked on at least once a month to assure all is going well...if this is done then if anything weird appears you can simply warm em up and stop the hibernation for the season....however, I again would stress that hibernation should not be a goal in the near future....IMHO
Thanks for the advice.
I personally would be concerned with the choice of vet...I only say that due to if no discussion was prompted by the vet in regards to the beak then I would be concerned that your vet does not have an eye for signs of potential problems in your tort....now, I am not knocking the vet as a vet ...just simply sharing my opinion and concerns with that vet and your tortoise

---

I am unsure as to why she would highly recommend this, to be completely honest. It is not necessary to hibernate them. They can live happy, full lives living indoors full time. The only real reason that it is necessary to hibernate a Russian is to induce breeding. Hibernation is not a necessary condition, but rather how Russians have adapted to survive during the cold and hot/dry months of their extremely harsh homeland. If they are kept in optimal conditions year round, hibernation becomes unnecessary. Also, if you do hibernate, there is a chance that your tortoise can die during hibernation, because of malnutrition, respiratory infections due to cold/damp conditions, burrows flooding, etc. If you keep him warm and happy indoors, there is no chance of him dying from those things.

I honestly would seek a second opinion, and perhaps a different vet. Did your vet say anything about how thick and overgrown his beak is? Just because a vet knows "exotics" does not make them a good tortoise veterinarian. Granted, I am NOT a veterinarian, but I do have veterinary technical training, but even more importantly, 18 years experience keeping tortoises, and that is what I base my knowledge and opinions on.

Oh, and you are welcome I know you are doing your best to do what is right for your little guy, and I want to help.

Thanks again, I will seek a second opinion, she did trim his beak on the first visit but did not explain why it was so long.

 

[fbsmith3]

There are two kinds of experts, those who learn from books and those who learn from "life". Sometimes their advice conflicts.
A second opinion is probally a good idea. It is hard to tell the health of an animal through pictures and a quick visit.

You should consider all sides and go with your own instict.

 

[Jacqui]

I do have a question, if I recall correctly doesn't the rescue you got him from request that he be hibernated ( as I believe they do with the box turtles)?

The beak is long most likely from being feed soft foods or foods cut up rather then allowing him to tear into and rip his own pieces of food. Feeding him weeds, which are more fibrous, feeding whole leaves (or natural grazing), plus feeding on something like a flat rock, a tile, or an unglazed terra cotta plant water catcher will help to keep it ground down naturally.

 

[chase thorn]

another Colorado springs member huh? awesome!!

 

[Turtle Guru]

It's a Russian