My Tortoise Died (How I learned my Lesson)

[tedthetortoise2]

I mainly lurk on this forum, acquiring tips and hints of how to care for a tortoise. I implemented these in what I thought to be a good way. I got a russian tortoise and he was healthy, active, and bright. Not two weeks later he slowed down and on his way to the vet he died. I made a rookie mistake. I bought one from petsmart. Testing showed he had a blood disease. Please, if you're considering of buying a tortoise from any major retailer, know that looking healthy doesnt always mean healthy. Dont take your chances. Get one from a reptile store or one on this forum. I learned the hard way.

 

[Blackdog1714]

Damn hard way to learn a lesson! Please remember you did nothing wrong, especially "on the way to the vet" that is good owner behavior. I hope this doen't deter you from getting one from a true reliable source on TFO.

 

[tedthetortoise2]

Damn hard way to learn a lesson! Please remember you did nothing wrong, especially "on the way to the vet" that is good owner behavior. I hope this doen't deter you from getting one from a true reliable source on TFO.

Yeah I'm getting one from a local reptile store that's family owned. I bought so much I need to get another one. Thanks for the support.

 

[Blackdog1714]

A well started baby is the only way to go. Old style starts are so bad due to the perceived notion of a dry start

 

[tedthetortoise2]

A well started baby is the only way to go. Old style starts are so bad due to the perceived notion of a dry start

The one I'm getting hatched on May 14th so its pretty young

 

[Bee62]

I am sorry that your tortoise died. I`ve heard nothing good from petsmart. Often tortoises from there died. It was not your fault. Start again with another tortoise from a good breeder.

 

[Blackdog1714]

The one I'm getting hatched on May 14th so its pretty young

Scary for me, but there are loads of people on TFO that have used Tortstork to hatch their own. Just make sure to ask- How Often Do You Soak, WHat are the temps and humididty numbers for their enclosure, what are you feeding them. If they can't or refuse to answer that is a clue! A proud raiser of tortoises will welcome your questions

 

[Tom]

Yeah I'm getting one from a local reptile store that's family owned. I bought so much I need to get another one. Thanks for the support.

You are likely to have the same problem with one purchased at a smaller pet store, and also get bad advice and the wrong products.

Buy directly from a breeder who starts them correctly and can advise you on the best ways to house them. I've personally bought from @Carol S and @kanalomele and highly recommend both of them. There are other good sellers here too, but I don't have first hand experience with them.

Read this:

Beginner Mistakes

To comment on Tom's article, go here: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-split-Beginner-Mistakes#axzz1tG8s05M5 Over the years many of us, myself included, have made many of these mistakes, and we have certainly seen them made many times by others. With springtime upon us and many new...

tortoiseforum.org

Russian Tortoise Care Sheet

Russian tortoises have great personalities, are very hardy, tolerate a wide variety of enclosure parameters, stay small, and are generally a good "starter" tortoise in my opinion. Here is how I like to set them up: Indoor Enclosure type and size: Most people want to know the minimum size...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Viola B]

Sorry for your loss. Listen to above advice. I bought my Russian from Carol S and so very glad I did.

 

[lilly_sand99]

I also totally support Carol S

 

[tedthetortoise2]

does anyo

I also totally support Carol S

how much does she sell russians for?

 

[Viola B]

does anyo

how much does she sell russians for?

You can look up Carol S on this site in the "market place" and message her . She is very nice to work with.