It’s not wild caught, it’s sadly captive bred in a puppy mill type situation. But I was almost certain it was male with the curled tail. But the bottom of the shell is flat... so I’m a bit confused.I believe it is a male Russian tortoise. Wild caught.
Not all tortoise species have the concave plastron on the males. The Russian happens to be one of themIt’s not wild caught, it’s sadly captive bred in a puppy mill type situation. But I was almost certain it was male with the curled tail. But the bottom of the shell is flat... so I’m a bit confused.
So for sure a Russian?? Guess I need to research humidity and basking temps and suchNot all tortoise species have the concave plastron on the males. The Russian happens to be one of them
Very handsome boy you've got there! Congrats!
It’s not wild caught, it’s sadly captive bred in a puppy mill type situation. But I was almost certain it was male with the curled tail. But the bottom of the shell is flat... so I’m a bit confused.
So for sure a Russian?? Guess I need to research humidity and basking temps and such
So for sure a Russian?? Guess I need to research humidity and basking temps and such
Lol I knew not to trust a pet store with anything they said. The funny thing is the employee almost didn’t want to sell to my husband because he didn’t know anything and she tried telling him a bunch of stuff.. from what he told me she was doing her best to upsell everything he doesn’t need .I believe you got misleading information. I'm almost certain he's wild caught.
Anyways...Yes, it's 100% an adult male Russian Tortoise.
Since he is an adult, humidity isn't as important. Basking temperatures should be around 95 F.
Also, take a look at this care sheet. It should answer any other questions you might have.
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/
Best,
Thomas
No it was not cared for. From what I’ve researched about the place (I don’t have a name, just anonymous posts from employees) they basically hatch them and sit them in tiny boxes all together completely dark room with a harsh basking light directly over them. The store clerk demanded my husband know to soak him immediately because she hasn’t done it in TWO DAYS! I was furious.... yes he looks dehydrated but that doesn’t mean he needs to be over soaked like that... I’m really glad I have this forum to learn from! We should be seeing the vet this week. And I plan to contact petsmart corporate to see what they say about a tortoise being sold as a Greek female... I think it was all about price.Definitely a male Russian tort. I really would not believe it was captive born. Looks like a wild caught to me. If it was captive born, it was not taken care of.
Lol I knew not to trust a pet store with anything they said. The funny thing is the employee almost didn’t want to sell to my husband because he didn’t know anything and she tried telling him a bunch of stuff.. from what he told me she was doing her best to upsell everything he doesn’t need .
But I’m certain of the puppy mill situation. I bought it from petsmart and researched where they get their tortoises from and how they are bred. They haven’t done wild caught in years.
Any pics of the enclosure?So we might have to get a second tortoise next year. My 16 month old daughter is absolutely in love!! Both my sons like Rocky and want to touch him but are scared to hold him. But my daughter has been crying at the enclosure for 15 mins because she sees him walking around and she wants to hold him
It’s not roaming, he is walking around his enclosure and my daughter is mad I won’t take him out for her. Hard to explain to toddlers that he needs a week or so all to himself to acclimateAny pics of the enclosure?
Please do not allow your tort to roam around the house. He could - God forbid - hurt himself, swallow something harmful, and so on. Moreover, if he gets used to that, it's going to be hard to keep him in an enclosure.
Apologies. I misunderstood your post.It’s not roaming, he is walking around his enclosure and my daughter is mad I won’t take him out for her. Hard to explain to toddlers that he needs a week or so all to himself to acclimate