Just got a tortoise, seeking advice!

[Jferrmarie]

Hello and thanks in advance!
We just got a tortoise from a family friend who went off to college. She had been feeding her only lettuce 2x a day for as long as she’s had her... I’ve had tortoises before, but many years ago, so I’m a little rusty - but know this is not correct. The tortoise’s beak is over grown, her tail is white and sort of stuck to her? Her shell is also quite brittle, has what looks like some breakage around the rim, and has rough patches on top. I’m looking for a good vet near me, but in the mean time any suggestions? Do I have to introduce new foods slowly? The tortoise is 11 years old

 

[Lyn W]

Hi, welcome and thanks for saving this poor tort.
Yes her beak and claws need a good trim/file down - they're so overgrown she'll feel a lot better just for that when you find a vet.
Do you know what species she is?
Have you tried soaking her in shallow luke warm water yet to see if it helps clean her tail? The white around it could be dried urates, but if you post some pics there are members far more qualified than me to tell you what it is.
See if she eats any of the new foods you offer but if she refuses chop it up and give it with some of the food she will eat - if you wet the leaves they'll stick together and be hard to avoid. Then gradually increase the better food and reduce the bad, Most torts can't handle sugars so fruit is best avoided.
I hope that helps or has pointed you in the right direction.
There are caresheets and if you know the species I can post a link for you.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings & Welcome to the Forum. Yes, you’re right - a lot of things should be changed, including a (gradual) beak reduction. I’m sure it needs a much larger enclosure, better substrate & a much more varied/healthy diet. First thing i would do is give it a nice long soak in shallow warm water. Then start doing that (soak) every few days.

Good luck

 

[Jferrmarie]

Hi, welcome and thanks for saving this poor tort.
Yes her beak and claws need a good trim/file down - they're so overgrown she'll feel a lot better just for that when you find a vet.
Do you know what species she is?
Have you tried soaking her in shallow luke warm water yet to see if it helps clean her tail? The white around it could be dried urates, but if you post some pics there are members far more qualified than me to tell you what it is.
See if she eats any of the new foods you offer but if she refuses chop it up and give it with some of the food she will eat - if you wet the leaves they'll stick together and be hard to avoid. Then gradually increase the better food and reduce the bad, Most torts can't handle sugars so fruit is best avoided.
I hope that helps or has pointed you in the right direction.
There are caresheets and if you know the species I can post a link for you.

Thank you so much! I’ll give her a little soak today to see if it helps! I believe it’s is a Russian tortoise, that’s what the girl had said though she had originally thought it was a box turtle so I’m not sure she’s certain.

 

[Jferrmarie]

Greetings & Welcome to the Forum. Yes, you’re right - a lot of things should be changed, including a (gradual) beak reduction. I’m sure it needs a much larger enclosure, better substrate & a much more varied/healthy diet. First thing i would do is give it a nice long soak in shallow warm water. Then start doing that (soak) every few days.

Good luck

Thank you! We have been shopping around for a better (larger) enclosure as the poor thing barely has room to move around here. I plan on trying a soak today for her hoping that helps!

 

[Maggie3fan]

Hi...read this, it will help you a lot...

Mediterranean Tortoises (genus Testudo)

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Lyn W]

Thank you! We have been shopping around for a better (larger) enclosure as the poor thing barely has room to move around here. I plan on trying a soak today for her hoping that helps!

At 11 years old she's going to need quite a big enclosure - 4' x 8' is the recommended space but the bigger the better so that she has room to roam for digestion and bone health. Sounds like she's had a pretty rough time of it.

 

[jsheffield]

Welcome to TFO!

You've gotten some good advice in the replies above, and life will get better for the tortoise once you switch over to the better care procedures.

Do some reading in the Russian Tortoise section: https://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/russian-tortoises.81/

and keep asking questions....

Jamie

 

[Jan A]

Hello and thanks in advance!
We just got a tortoise from a family friend who went off to college. She had been feeding her only lettuce 2x a day for as long as she’s had her... I’ve had tortoises before, but many years ago, so I’m a little rusty - but know this is not correct. The tortoise’s beak is over grown, her tail is white and sort of stuck to her? Her shell is also quite brittle, has what looks like some breakage around the rim, and has rough patches on top. I’m looking for a good vet near me, but in the mean time any suggestions? Do I have to introduce new foods slowly? The tortoise is 11 years old

Welcome to the forum. And thanks for taking over his care. It makes me very sad that the previous owner didn't take the time to take better care of this tort or learn how to take better care of it. So I'm glad the tort found his way to you.

We learn how to take better care of our torts every day on this forum, so don't be surprised if care recommendations have changed since you owned your last tort. Ask questions. Let us know how we can help. Keep us updated on how the 2 of you are doing!!

 

[TaylorTortoise]

You have yourself a Russian tortoise. Beak needs to be trimmed asap. I would give soaks 3 times a week to make sure he/she is hydrated. Fresh clean substrate, clean water supply, clean fresh variety of food (broad leafy greens, weeds, flowers) absolutely no fruit. Cactus pads, cucumber are good snacks.

they like to bask and hide so providing a lot of hiding spots are essential for russians. They do not like to be handled as they tend to get stressed easily.

 

[TaylorTortoise]

Here are some lovely pictures of my guy.