Tortoise I found.

[ValerieB]

So yesterday I found a tortoise in my backyard. I'm almost positive that it's was not anyone's pet. I actually believe it came out of one of the kayaks I just bought. They were previously returned by someone.
If that's the case, I'm not sure where these people went kayaking at. So I have no clue how to figure out exactly where this tortoise is from. If it is wild, I'd like to get it back home. I have very few bad pictures right now, mainly because I don't want to freak it out anymore than it already has been. I want to keep it as relaxed as possible until I can get it home and make it feel safe. Especially if it is wild.

Right now, my boyfriend and I have made it a little general home but we can't make it to the tortoises exact habitat preferences until we learn more about it.

 

[Yvonne G]

You've got a long trip ahead of you then, and you'll need a bunch of shots and a passport. The tortoise in the picture comes from Afghanistan. Someone bought it at a pet store and it has either escaped from them, or they let it loose. Trust me, it is not wild.

 

[teresaf]

You've got a long trip ahead of you then, and you'll need a bunch of shots and a passport. The tortoise in the picture comes from Afghanistan. Someone bought it at a pet store and it has either escaped from them, or they let it loose. Trust me, it is not wild.

You going to tell them what it is? Or just leave them hanging? Geez yvonne

 

[axeman25]

Yup, you got a Russian tort there for sure. It was someones pet at one time probably.There are some great care sheets on this site for setting up an enclosure for them. If you don't plan on keeping him/her then you may be able to find someone here on this site that'll give it a good home. Or you guys can keep it and join the wonderful world of tort ownership.

 

[Yvonne G]

Oh, geez! I completely overlooked that, didn't I?

It's a Russian tortoise (Testudo (or Agrionemys) horsefieldii). A very hardy and interesting little tortoise. Your specimen is full grown.

 

[teresaf]

Is it flat on top? If it is perhaps the poor thing has been stuck somewhere? I can't imagine what else would cause that...

Oh. It's the lighting duh.

 

[ValerieB]

You've got a long trip ahead of you then, and you'll need a bunch of shots and a passport. The tortoise in the picture comes from Afghanistan. Someone bought it at a pet store and it has either escaped from them, or they let it loose. Trust me, it is not wild.

I think I posted in the wrong forum. Anyways, how can you tell its from Afghanistan? What about it makes you think this?
I also failed to mention in my post that I'm from Northern California. In the Bay Area, near Oakland.

 

[Yvonne G]

I know my tortoises, Valerie. I recognise this one as a Russian tortoise. You did post in the wrong place, however, I moved it to the right place.

The only tortoises native or wild in California (and none so far north as the Bay Area) are desert tortoises, and your little Russian tortoise definitely is NOT a desert tortoise.

Put up some fliers on the utility poles around your neighborhood and place a 'found' ad on craigs list. Someone is probably pretty unhappy to have lost their little tortoise.

 

[teresaf]

I think I posted in the wrong forum. Anyways, how can you tell its from Afghanistan? What about it makes you think this?
I also failed to mention in my post that I'm from Northern California. In the Bay Area, near Oakland.

Because of the type of tortoise that it is. They aren't indigenous to the USA.

 

[ValerieB]

Oh, geez! I completely overlooked that, didn't I?

It's a Russian tortoise (Testudo (or Agrionemys) horsefieldii). A very hardy and interesting little tortoise. Your specimen is full grown.

Is it flat on top? If it is perhaps the poor thing has been stuck somewhere? I can't imagine what else would cause that...

Oh. It's the lighting duh.

It's not flat. There's definitely ridges. I didn't get the best pics cause it's hiding in the back of the little 'home' we made. I have one pic of it in a plastic tub that might be a little better. We put it there after we just found it while making a better home.

 

[ValerieB]

 

[teresaf]

These guys (I hear) are very easy to take care of in the tortoise world, comparatively. Please don't listen to pet stores and others if they say they don't need a water dish. False info that for some reason people actually believe. Yeah, they get fluids from their food and could SURVIVE quite a while without actual water but dang, that's just cruel.

 

[ValerieB]

I know my tortoises, Valerie. I recognise this one as a Russian tortoise. You did post in the wrong place, however, I moved it to the right place.

The only tortoises native or wild in California (and none so far north as the Bay Area) are desert tortoises, and your little Russian tortoise definitely is NOT a desert tortoise.

Put up some fliers on the utility poles around your neighborhood and place a 'found' ad on craigs list. Someone is probably pretty unhappy to have lost their little tortoise.

How can I better accommodate to the habitat while finding the owners? I'd hate to make it sick or even worse, kill the poor little one cause I didn't properly take care of it. I'd like to see a happy, healthy tortoise. Not one that's sick, scared, and stressed out.

 

[teresaf]

First thing I would do is get a large bowl and fill 1 inch full warm water and put him in for 15 min. Make sure he can't climb out. They are reeeeeally good climbers. Probably why he lost his family...

 

[teresaf]

Go to top and click on Tortoise species. Then scroll down to Mediterranean tortoises. Then scroll a bit down to Russian tortoises. That is where all your answers lay. Lol have fun.

 

[ValerieB]

First thing I would do is get a large bowl and fill 1 inch full warm water and put him in for 15 min. Make sure he can't climb out. They are reeeeeally good climbers. Probably why he lost his family...

Really? I can do that but I'm curious as to why. What will the warm water do and why would I have to make sure it stays?

 

[teresaf]

To hydrate him. In case he's been without for a while. A soak once in a while(weekly) does a tortoises body good. Lol. they not only drink the water but they have a way of absorbing it through the other end too.

 

[Gillian M]

A very warm welcome to the forum.