AJK Aquaria
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2016
- Messages
- 300
Hey all...
While returning to the building is was working at today after lunch, I missed my turn and ended up about a half mile off course. I'm not all that familiar with the area... or just an idiot. Anyways, on a 4 lane road going about 45 MPH, I spot a turtle from a distance. I pull to the median and start sprinting back down the street. This is a busy road, and about a dozen cars were racing towards the turtle. I thought for sure he was done for. Surprisingly, 3 cars actually swerved out of the way. I was waving my arms like a maniac as I headed towards the oncoming traffic. Somehow the little dude survived the onslaught of vehicles and I was able to get my hands on him. But it wasn't the standard Painted or Snapping turtle I usually help Cross the road. It was a Russian Tortoise....
I was actually kind of upset. Sure, it's a cool find. But a sad story. A wildcaught tortoise, sold into the pet trade, only to end up released by it's owner to a foreign land. It's possible he escaped, but I suspect the former. I set him up in a clean cardboard box with packing paper, finished what I was doing for work and raced home.
My experience with Russians is a short lived one. I 'rescued' a female from a neighborhood kid approx 15 years ago. After seeing that the tortoise was being housed in a cardboard box with shriveled iceberg lettuce everywhere, I promptly took her home. I was in my early twenties and had just moved back in with my parents. My Dad really liked her. More so than any of the snakes and aquatic turtles I had at that time. I had her for about a year and eventually left her in the care of my cousin. I was very specific on its husbandry and overall care. Sadly, I was told she passed 2 years after. I was pissed. I do not want to make that mistake again.
So here we are again... I'm not in the market for a Russian. But I didn't have a choice on the road. And what choice do I have now? My wife loves him. BTW he's a definite male. She really wants to keep him. 5" SCL. I found him on Gary Ave, so, his name is Gary. He looks good as far as I can tell. Clear eyes, healthy shell, vigor in the legs and neck, inquisitive, active, relatively short beak and a clear vent. I am certainly no expert and could benefit from the forum's opinions. Here's some photos. Please let me know if you can see any issues...
There do appear to be some older contusions on the rear right foot. Tough to see, but the discolored areas.
Do these puppies need a trim? Looks normal for a Russian(to me) but not positive.
Unfortunately, I do not have immediate proper housing for him. He was allowed to roam the backyard after a soak while we prepared a makeshift enclosure out of a 40 breeder. This holiday weekend will be spent on building an outdoor setup. It won't be a grand enclosure. I can do 4x8' and will be grabbing lumber tomorrow after work. I just recently finished one for a group of 3 Toed Box turtles, and it was a fun project. Here's a pic-
Not sure on a winter/inside enclosure yet. Space is limited ATM. I do have some Animal Plastics caging I've yet to assemble. They're 4 x 2' footprint.
I'm sure I'll have some questions down the road. I read the care article here on TFO. Any advice would be appreciated.
Oh...
Nighttime low tolerance? 50 F? 55?
Thanks
Adam
While returning to the building is was working at today after lunch, I missed my turn and ended up about a half mile off course. I'm not all that familiar with the area... or just an idiot. Anyways, on a 4 lane road going about 45 MPH, I spot a turtle from a distance. I pull to the median and start sprinting back down the street. This is a busy road, and about a dozen cars were racing towards the turtle. I thought for sure he was done for. Surprisingly, 3 cars actually swerved out of the way. I was waving my arms like a maniac as I headed towards the oncoming traffic. Somehow the little dude survived the onslaught of vehicles and I was able to get my hands on him. But it wasn't the standard Painted or Snapping turtle I usually help Cross the road. It was a Russian Tortoise....
I was actually kind of upset. Sure, it's a cool find. But a sad story. A wildcaught tortoise, sold into the pet trade, only to end up released by it's owner to a foreign land. It's possible he escaped, but I suspect the former. I set him up in a clean cardboard box with packing paper, finished what I was doing for work and raced home.
My experience with Russians is a short lived one. I 'rescued' a female from a neighborhood kid approx 15 years ago. After seeing that the tortoise was being housed in a cardboard box with shriveled iceberg lettuce everywhere, I promptly took her home. I was in my early twenties and had just moved back in with my parents. My Dad really liked her. More so than any of the snakes and aquatic turtles I had at that time. I had her for about a year and eventually left her in the care of my cousin. I was very specific on its husbandry and overall care. Sadly, I was told she passed 2 years after. I was pissed. I do not want to make that mistake again.
So here we are again... I'm not in the market for a Russian. But I didn't have a choice on the road. And what choice do I have now? My wife loves him. BTW he's a definite male. She really wants to keep him. 5" SCL. I found him on Gary Ave, so, his name is Gary. He looks good as far as I can tell. Clear eyes, healthy shell, vigor in the legs and neck, inquisitive, active, relatively short beak and a clear vent. I am certainly no expert and could benefit from the forum's opinions. Here's some photos. Please let me know if you can see any issues...
There do appear to be some older contusions on the rear right foot. Tough to see, but the discolored areas.
Do these puppies need a trim? Looks normal for a Russian(to me) but not positive.
Unfortunately, I do not have immediate proper housing for him. He was allowed to roam the backyard after a soak while we prepared a makeshift enclosure out of a 40 breeder. This holiday weekend will be spent on building an outdoor setup. It won't be a grand enclosure. I can do 4x8' and will be grabbing lumber tomorrow after work. I just recently finished one for a group of 3 Toed Box turtles, and it was a fun project. Here's a pic-
Not sure on a winter/inside enclosure yet. Space is limited ATM. I do have some Animal Plastics caging I've yet to assemble. They're 4 x 2' footprint.
I'm sure I'll have some questions down the road. I read the care article here on TFO. Any advice would be appreciated.
Oh...
Nighttime low tolerance? 50 F? 55?
Thanks
Adam