Russian tortoise owners

[BrookeFertig]

hi everyone on tortoise forum ! My name is Brooke and I am extremely new to this forum , as well as tortoises , but not reptiles. I have had exotic reptiles for a while. I have always likes turtles and tortoises, however I never intended on getting one so recently ! Over the weekend, I went into a pet store just to buy dog food , however, when I went in there was a Russian tortoise that was in a hamster-sized ( 10 gallon aquarium at most) cage that he couldn't possibly even move very much, and he was ramming his head multiple times into the glass walls. I couldn't leave that little guy there, to cut the story short ! Now I have a Greek Tortoise , and I have him in a 30 gallon tank ( which is not big enough, but until I find a perfect larger tank for him , that's where he will sleep and eat ). He really is a sweet boy and I let him walk around freely in the rooms where I am ( so he can exercise and I am there to supervise). I am writing this post , mainly to seek information from Russian tortoise owners! If there are any tips/ tricks , what to do and what to no do. ( also his tank includes a hide out and the walls are decorated with wrapping paper from the outside, so that he wouldn't ram the glass walls)
Thanks guys !

 

[jaizei]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Brooke, and welcome to the Forum!!

So is he a Greek or a Russian?

You don't have to use aquariums. You can buy really large plastic tubs quite a bit cheaper than aquariums. You can even buy two tubs, cut out opposing ends, and tape two together to make one very large habitat.

Russian tortoises are wanderers and cover a very large area of land in their wanderings. So keeping a Russian tortoise in a small indoor habitat isn't a good idea. Some tortoises get used to it, but most don't, and they are constantly trying to climb or dig out.

 

[BrookeFertig]

Thanks for the welcoming Jaizel ! Hi to you too, Yvonne G ! I'm sorry for the discrepancy in my post , he is a Russian Tortoise ... I am not sure what made me say Greek ! I have purchased the tortoise palace that is sold online and I am expecting it to come in hopefully soon !

 

[jane_goblin]

http://russiantortoise.net/care_sheet.htm I have gotten a lot of great info from here! Also I just wanted to say that my Russians love romaine lettuce and spring mix!

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome

 

[BrookeFertig]

He is acting normal and is active and all of his signs are good ... However since he is from petsmart , do you think he is truly healthy ?

 

[lynnedit]

They take a hard road to get to most Pet stores in the US.
Be sure to soak him daily in shallow warm water for a week, then 1-2x per week.
If he is active, eating etc., then he will probably be OK.

Start planning now for an outside enclosure next year!

 

[kanalomele]

Welcome to TFO! I love my Russians they are just a great species. Even after 20 years they are still one of my favorites. Let me also invite you to join us on the Russian Tortoise Facebook page. We have a lively and respectful group growing like crazy over there.

 

[BrookeFertig]

What does soaking really do for a tortoise --I know that is such a new comer question, but I really need a straight answer ! Thank you all for the responses ! [TURTLE]

 

[stinax182]

Re: RE: Russian tortoise owners

What does soaking really do for a tortoise --I know that is such a new comer question, but I really need a straight answer ! Thank you all for the responses ! [TURTLE]

you always soak in warm water which warms the tort up and gets him active since he's cold blooded. usually when confined in a bucket of water they eventually drink and if not a small amount is absorbed through the vent. no tortoises like it at first but if you keep the water warm they will relax and enjoy it.

 

[pam]

Welcome Make sure the warm water is not to deep

 

[BrookeFertig]

here is my little boy ! He is awaiting the arrival of the tortoise palace ! [CLAPPING HANDS SIGN]