chacha
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2016
- Messages
- 5
Hello fellow tortoise parents/owners,
I am a new owner of a Russian tortoise, Cha Cha Voldetort. My boyfriend and I got her from a pet rescue shop. The owner told us that she is 5 years old and female, although both are just guesses. I have a couple of questions about gauging my torts health. Answers besides taking my tort the the vet are much appreciated!
My main concern is that my tortoise might be too skinny indicating that there may be health issues like dehydration or parasites. We actually got her because she was super petite and cute, which I am now realizing might be a bad thing. Her arms, legs and neck are pretty skinny by my standards. I would love for someone to check out the photos I have attached.
Her behaviors are as follows: She eats well and is VERY active. Walks quickly and actively with all 4 legs. Spends a good amount of time climbing the walls and corners of her enclosure. Even when I let her out to explore, she goes to the nearest wall or thing to climb. We noticed she did a lot of pacing at the pet store as well. She burrows sometimes but not too deep. When I first got her, she would pee while soaking and she was calm in the water, sometimes getting brave enough to dunk her head. But she has not peed in her soak for he past 3 weeks and tries to escape. I started cleaning the tub with a bleach/ water solution, so maybe its the smell of the bleach? She poops towards the middle/end of her soak and in her enclosure.
I keep a water bowl in her enclosure and soak her about 3 times a week. Her poops vary from brown and solid to falling apart, flaky green poops. I feed her every day for 20 minutes. Spring mix, carrots or kale. I sprinkle calcium powder on her food. Sometimes she sheds in pretty big clumps. Her enclosure is 95 degrees under the basking lamp and 70 degrees on the cool end. Temp drops to about 60 degrees at night. Humidity fluctuates from 25-40. I honestly have been told multiple things about what the humidity should be.
Any advice, suggestions, opinions are much appreciated! I've never had a tortoise, let alone a pet. And you don't come across tortoise owners every day! Looking forward to hearing from you all!
I am a new owner of a Russian tortoise, Cha Cha Voldetort. My boyfriend and I got her from a pet rescue shop. The owner told us that she is 5 years old and female, although both are just guesses. I have a couple of questions about gauging my torts health. Answers besides taking my tort the the vet are much appreciated!
My main concern is that my tortoise might be too skinny indicating that there may be health issues like dehydration or parasites. We actually got her because she was super petite and cute, which I am now realizing might be a bad thing. Her arms, legs and neck are pretty skinny by my standards. I would love for someone to check out the photos I have attached.
Her behaviors are as follows: She eats well and is VERY active. Walks quickly and actively with all 4 legs. Spends a good amount of time climbing the walls and corners of her enclosure. Even when I let her out to explore, she goes to the nearest wall or thing to climb. We noticed she did a lot of pacing at the pet store as well. She burrows sometimes but not too deep. When I first got her, she would pee while soaking and she was calm in the water, sometimes getting brave enough to dunk her head. But she has not peed in her soak for he past 3 weeks and tries to escape. I started cleaning the tub with a bleach/ water solution, so maybe its the smell of the bleach? She poops towards the middle/end of her soak and in her enclosure.
I keep a water bowl in her enclosure and soak her about 3 times a week. Her poops vary from brown and solid to falling apart, flaky green poops. I feed her every day for 20 minutes. Spring mix, carrots or kale. I sprinkle calcium powder on her food. Sometimes she sheds in pretty big clumps. Her enclosure is 95 degrees under the basking lamp and 70 degrees on the cool end. Temp drops to about 60 degrees at night. Humidity fluctuates from 25-40. I honestly have been told multiple things about what the humidity should be.
Any advice, suggestions, opinions are much appreciated! I've never had a tortoise, let alone a pet. And you don't come across tortoise owners every day! Looking forward to hearing from you all!