New Member, New Russian Tortoise Introducing Myself

Bridget

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Hi,

My name is Bridget, I just got a Russian Tortoise on the 6 month anniversary of my son Zachary's 6 month anniversary of his murder. He was 27. He loved animals of all types, had a wicked sense of humor, and right before he was murdered, he had rescued a tortoise from the neighborhood trash. Someone stole that tortoise from his new home right after his murder....

My new tortoise is about 4 inches across and about 4.5 inches long, I got him at Pet Smart.

He appears healthy, I think it's a male because he has a curved tail, but I'm not sure. I am guessing he may be about five years old, but don't know if he was captive bred or wild caught.

He is all set up in a nice terrarium, we live in Northeast Pennsylvania, when the weather breaks, I intend to build him an outdoor enclosure with screen underground to prevent digging out so he can enjoy living outdoors when it is nice.

I named him "Vlad the Impaler" because Zachary would have found that amusing. Any help with estimating age and whether he appears wild caught or captive born greatly appreciated.

Nice to meet you all and thank you!

P.S. He has not eaten any of the food offered yet, it's been two days, I am soaking him a little every day and misting him. Is this just an adaptation to new terrarium? He is in a 40 gallon terrarium, I hope that's big enough. Thanks again.


vladselfie.jpg vladswimming.jpg vladt.jpg vladinpool.jpg
 
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leigti

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Welcome to the forum. I am so sorry to hear about your son. That is a very nice-looking russian you have there. Chances are he is wild caught if you got him from Petsmart or Petco. Very difficult to determine the age. But I would assume he would not be too old because he does not have wear marks on his shell. If you show us a picture of the underside and tail we will be able to confirm if it was a male or female, I think he is old enough to tell. Please check out the Russian tortoise care sheet under the species specific section. For starters, I would get a different water bowl, that one can be very dangerous because it may cause a flipping and drowning hazard. A terra-cotta or plastic plant saucer works very well. Your tortoise will need a much bigger enclosure. It is great that you are planning an outdoor enclosure for the summer. Also check out the enclosures section for ideas. Read the care sheet, and keep asking questions.
 
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Bridget

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Thank you! I'll take some pictures of him tomorrow! How big should his enclosure be? This one is 36" x 24" and 18" high. Thanks again!

I raised box turtles we caught in the wild when I was a kid, but that was in the 60's and 70's and we kept them outdoors all year round because we captured them locally. Thanks again!!!
 
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Jodie

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Welcome to the forum. I am so sorry to hear about your son. What foods are you offering? It takes a while for them to settle in. Check out the enclosure section for ideas on a bigger enclosure.
 

leigti

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Sorry, I meant Russian. Recommended size for an indoor enclosure is 4' x 8'. If you can't absolutely do that get it as close as you can, or you can make a two-story enclosure with a ramp. You could use a large bookshelf laid on its back with the shelves removed, a large kiddie pool, large Rubbermaid bins connected together, stock tanks. The idea is to get as much floor space as possible. What are you using for UVB? The coil type bulbs can cause I issues. Mercury vapor bulbs provide UVB and heat all in one. You should also soak your tortoise at least 2 to 3 times a week right now for about 20 minutes in a shallow bowl with lukewarm water up to the middle of his shell. Where the top and bottom Michelle meet.
 

Heather H

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Hi and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry about the loss of your son.

The care sheet will answer a lot of your questions. But ask anything you have questions about. :)
A Russian needs an enclosure that is 4x8 x 18inches high.
The bulbs you have was it a two pack with day and night? With a red one and a white coil bulb? The coil bulbs have been known to cause eye problems. I agree with the above about the water dish. If you look at your second picture, see how high up he goes? When he goes to get back out he can flip back awards and drown.
petsmart has a good return policy and will take the unnecessary or dangerous items back.
 

Grandpa Turtle 144

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Hello Bridget welcome to the TFO From AZ . Russians rule ! ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1426313579.701995.jpg don't use this it's bad for tort eyes !ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1426313629.990109.jpg this is for heat . ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1426313676.776026.jpg this is just because I like it !ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1426313737.539306.jpg this is some store food ideas til it can eat out side .ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1426313805.783281.jpgand this ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1426313828.844172.jpgImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1426313860.119772.jpgImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1426313893.979228.jpg this will help you sex the tortImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1426313947.277492.jpg this is a good idea . ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1426314013.504557.jpg this will help it with shell growthImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1426314208.304086.jpg and these are mine just because I'm proud of them . Have a great tort day !
And sorry to here about your son .
 

Bridget

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Welcome to the forum. I am so sorry to hear about your son. What foods are you offering? It takes a while for them to settle in. Check out the enclosure section for ideas on a bigger enclosure.
I have offered him kale today and romain lettuce yesterday. He has not touched either. This site is great, I am learning a lot. I am having him vet checked on Tuesday. I only have him since March 11th, Zach died on September 11th. Ashamed to admit he was an impulse buy, but it felt right. His tail tucks to the side with a slit. I assume he is male. Thank you for your reply. I want to give him a good, long life since Zach's was cut short. :)
 

Bridget

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Thank you everyone! I got a red basking bulb, but the one for daylight is coiled. I will return it tomorrow!!! I will also get a smaller water dish and return the one I purchased!!! Thank you so much!!! Everyone!!! Great advice, and I am eager to learn!!!
 

Bridget

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I think I will make him a two story enclosure! I will use ramps and make sure he can't fall or be hurt by lights. The bookshelf idea sounds perfect. Can't wait until the weather breaks. My son in law will build me an 8 ft by 8 ft outdoor enclosure on a slope. Already plant shopping, we still have snow. He will only live inside when cold out. Already learned he doesn't need a "friend". Was thinking of it then read a post about aggressive behaviors with multiple Russians. Thanks everyone!!!
 

Bridget

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I think he "looks" healthy, but I want opinions and of course having him vet checked. Thank you.
 

Bridget

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Hello Bridget welcome to the TFO From AZ . Russians rule ! View attachment 121993 don't use this it's bad for tort eyes !View attachment 121994 this is for heat . View attachment 121995 this is just because I like it !View attachment 121996 this is some store food ideas til it can eat out side .View attachment 121997and this View attachment 121998View attachment 121999View attachment 122000 this will help you sex the tortView attachment 122001 this is a good idea . View attachment 122002 this will help it with shell growthView attachment 122003 and these are mine just because I'm proud of them . Have a great tort day !
And sorry to here about your son .
Thank you so much!!! This is all so helpful!!! I am eager to learn!!!
 

TortsNTurtles

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Welcome! I am sorry about the loss of your son. This world can be sad and people can be heartless. I hope your tortoise brings you great joy. What a wonderful living memorial for your son. I like the name you choose it is funny to think of a tortoise as a vegetarian with a vampire name.
 

Tom

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Hello and welcome Bridget! Looks like you got all the typical bad pet store advice and they sold you all the wrong stuff that they always try to sell everybody. I'm glad you found us and hope we can help.

For starters, the pet stores have very little that is useful for tortoises. Get to know your local hard ware store instead.

First, get rid of that bowl right now. Tortoises can and do flip and drown in them. Terra cotta plant saucers sunk into the substrate work best for food an water.

Next dangerous item is that coil bulb. Turn it off right away. Those can sometimes burn reptile eyes.

Third item is the red bulb. Ditch it. It makes things look funny to the tortoise and messes up their natural circadian rhythms. Just use a regular house hold white incandescent bulb for daytime, and you don't need night heat as long as your house is staying 65 ish or higher at night. A light timer from the hardware store will turn the "sun" on and off for you daily.

Next is that tank. WAYYYYYY too small. It would be okay for a brand new hatchling for a short while, but your tortoise needs room to move.

Please read these. They will tell you what to do and what not to do. Come back with lots of question after you are done reading them:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
 

Jodie

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I have offered him kale today and romain lettuce yesterday. He has not touched either. This site is great, I am learning a lot. I am having him vet checked on Tuesday. I only have him since March 11th, Zach died on September 11th. Ashamed to admit he was an impulse buy, but it felt right. His tail tucks to the side with a slit. I assume he is male. Thank you for your reply. I want to give him a good, long life since Zach's was cut short. :)
Impulse buys happen. We will give you all the help you need to get him set up good and eating. Not warm enough is the usual culprit when not eating and inactive. Did you get a chance to read the care sheets? I currently keep my Russians inside for winter. I use a mercury vapor bulb for basking. It provides UVB and heat. The basking area is 100F. The rest of the enclosure is low to mid 80's. This is one reason you need a bigger enclosure. They need micro climates to regulate their temps. My night time lows are mid 70's. While you build a table get a kiddie pool or some tubs you can attach together. Coco Coir or orchids bark are the best substrate. Russians like to dig and bury themselves. Variety is key in their diet. Hope warming him up helps and gets him eating. Moisten your substrate to raise the humidity for him.
 

Jodie

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A caution about vets. People get some bad info on tortoises from them. Unless he is a tortoise specialist be wary of husbandry advice he gives. Tom here has been raising and breeding tortoises for a long time and has a bunch of beautiful tortoises. He has experimented and perfected his husbandry for healthy happy tortoises that thrive. No vitamin A shots. This is a favorite error. It kills some tortoises.
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Bridget, and welcome to the Forum!

I think (and I can only guess because I can't see first hand how you have him set up), that he's not warm enough. If you're not going to set this tortoise up outside so he can get regular sunshine, then you MUST have a UVB bulb. This is the one I use:

mercury vapor bulb.jpg

It provides heat and UVB all in one bulb. You have to mount it in a fixture with a ceramic base because it gets very hot. I'm pretty sure if you get him warmer and with UVB either from the sun or a good bulb, he'll start eating.
 

leigti

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I'm worried that he is not eating and very inactive. :(
It takes a little time for them to get comfortable. He might be dehydrated from being at the pet store so start the daily soaks. They tend to like Romain lettuce a lot, it is okay in moderation. But try mixing it with other greens also so that he gets used to eating the good stuff too. Who knows what they fed him at the pet store. He is probably wild caught so he has had a very stressful few months probably.
 

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