Proper feeding

[PenguinFan]

I'm a new owner of a Russian so I will have all kinds of questions for you people.. is fruit such as strawberrys and grapes bad for them. . Also how and why do you soak them?

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

strawberries and grapes are not suppose to be fed a lot to your tort in large amounts. i feed my torts a strawberry once every month. the point of soaking is to rehydrate your tort and let him pass waist.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

to soak your tort you get a plastic container that he can't climb out in and fill up a bit of water, make sure its not to deep for him. i usually give them 75 degree water for them to soak in

 

[PenguinFan]

How often do we soak him.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

it matters on the age/size of your russian. my russians are full grown and i soak him 2-3 times a week. how old is your tort?

 

[PenguinFan]

Nor sure. . I'm guessing 1 maybe. . 4 inches length..

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

yea i would soak him around the same amount as mine.

 

[PenguinFan]

How long do you soak it for. . I really appreciate your help. .

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

no problem ask anything!!!!! i soak mine for 15-30 minutes.

 

[Tom]

Hi PenguinFan, Check these out for more explanation and answers:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

And I swam with the penguins at Boulder Beach in South Africa.

 

[PenguinFan]

That's awesome Tom. . But I'm more of a Pittsburgh Penguin Fan..lol. but I do like the animal also. ..

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

i no like sports i like tortoises......

 

[PenguinFan]

Well my 7 year old son and I are just beginning our adventure with our first tortoise. . I'm glad i found this app because so far the local pet store doesn't know a thing about the animals they sell. .

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

when i was 5 years old my parents got me a russian tortoise and petco recommended a 20 gallon tank. sadly my parents did not do any research before getting the tort and she spend 4 years in a 20 gallon tank. every time i think of that i feel so bad for the little tort.

 

[G-stars]

Unfortunately few pet stores do.


— Gus

 

[PenguinFan]

Wow. . they were trying to sell me on a 20 gallon but I went with a 50 gallon national geographic habitate. . I'm hoping it will be fine. .

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

try to move your tort to a bigger cage soon can you make an outside enclosure? here is my russians home.

 

[PenguinFan]

I'll try making something in the spring. . Something I can leave outside.. how big your tort.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

i have a 5 1/2 inch male and a 6 1/2 inch female russians. also a 8 inch sulcata.

 

[PenguinFan]

Wow. . Well it was very nice and very helpful talking to you. I'm shore I'll be asking allot more questions and will be looking forward to your response. Thanks again. . Good night