New to the forum - multiple questions

[manzk4100]

Hi, all, I'm a brand new tortoise owner- just got a tortoise yesterday. I have multiple questions/concerns, as you might imagine a brand new owner might. First; the species. When I purchased the tort it was in an enclosure that said "Greek and Russian Tortoise" so I assume it's either of those. However, I would really like to distinguish which species the tortoise is so I can give it the absolute best care it requires. Age approximation would be nice as well, and I have no idea if it was wild caught or captive bred, though I assume it was captive.




My next question is for his (he is named Caesar, by the way) health. Since I got him, he has seemed completely uninterested in anything but burrowing under his half log and... Sleeping, I presume. He hasn't had anything to eat (I put romaine lettuce, a cuttlebone, and a few dandelions in there for him to munch on, as well as those disgusting turtle pellets, although I've emphasized the romaine and dandelions). Is it stress that's bothering him? As far as I can tell he hasn't defecated either, not since I carried him around while picking up his supplies in the store. I soaked him in lukewarm water as soon as I woke up this morning and he did drink some of that, but since then he's had nothing. I want nothing but the best for him and am very worried for his overall health if he's not eating. Thank you all so much, will provide as much information as possible/within reason

 

[dmmj]

it looks like a very very old Russian to me. I'm guesding male but a tail shot of the vent will help.as for its age no idea, but I would say 30 plus years easily.

 

[manzk4100]

it looks like a very very old Russian to me. I'm guesding male but a tail shot of the vent will help.as for its age no idea comma but I would say 30 plus years easily.

That might help to explain why he's not quite as active in his enclosure, although I still worry about his lack of eating. I was leaning towards Russian as well, though I was (wrongly) informed it was Greek

 

[dmmj]

he is readjusting to a new environment it could take several days at least for him. to start eating again

 

[manzk4100]

he is readjusting to a new environment it could take several days at least for him. to start eating again

Thank you for your help, I'll continue to leave out fresh greens for him daily

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

I second on him being russian. How big is he?
And hello ! Welcome
Also, give it a few days to a week or 2. Some tortoises take longer than others to adjust.

 

[manzk4100]

I second on him being russian. How big is he?
And hello ! Welcome
Also, give it a few days to a week or 2. Some tortoises take longer than others to adjust.

Thank you for the help , he's roughly 6 inches, not too big, not too small. He's very cute

 

[dmmj]

at 6 inches if he's a male he won't get any bigger.

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

Thank you for the help , he's roughly 6 inches, not too big, not too small. He's very cute

Yes he is!

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Pearly]

Beautiful Russian! Welcome from Texas to both of you

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome to you and Caesar !

 

[NDevon]

He's a lovely looking tortoise, what a shame he's been sold on as I'm guessing he was a pet previously - it's not likely he would have been WC at this age and imported is it?

It's great to hear you want to give him the best life. I have baby Redfoots and even though they were not long from the egg it took them a long time to settle in their new home. Just keep to the routine, make sure he can find food and water and that the enclosure is set up as its meant to be wih the right environmental conditions, substrates, hides etc and in time when he's comfortable he will get a bit more active. Unless he just a really lazy tortoise, then he may not do much at all I guess!

They take a bit of time to settle, tortoises don't do anything in a hurry, the one thing they have is a lot of time.

Keep reading the forums, you will learn loads and evryone is so friendly and helpful, there are no silly questions, we've all asked them many times so feel free to ask again - everyone wants you to get it right.

And welcome

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

Its a wild caught russian, but there is no way to tell the age. It looks more like a young immature female to me. Time will tell.

Check these out:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

If you bought it at a pet store, they very likely sold you all the wrong stuff and gave you the wrong care info.