Re: Russian Tortoise Questions

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Posted by Terry on May 29, 2000 at 23:50:53:

In Reply to: Re: Russian Tortoise Questions posted by Kathy on May 29, 2000 at 23:17:20:

Hi Pat,
Kathy gave you some great info, she's right spinach should be avoided, it contains high levels of oxalic acid which interfers with the torts ability to absorb calcium.

I am new to Russians, ( i keep other species of torts and turts) I got my first Russian on Saturday.
He has been quarantined, is being fed last to avoid cross contamination and will never come into contact with my other tortoises, who are all housed according to species.

I'm subscribed to a few tortoise email discussion lists and have been busy asking questions there on info for my new Russian Tortoise!
Russians will beg for food, it is easy to overfeed them as they simply beg for more.
So be strict and don't overfeed it, if it's a new tortoise it's a great sign that it's eating already.

Avoid fruits, instead feed leafy greens, endive, romaine, escarole, mustard greens, carrot tops,carrots, dandelion etc .
Opuntia cactus with the spines removed is a good addition to the diet.
Other edible plants ,weeds, flowers and grasses are great too and should make up most of the diet with a small variety of the leafy greens mixed in. You can also mix in ground up Timothy Hay which will help provide the fiber these torts need.

If you haven't already please take your Russian to a vet, I got mine on Saturday and took him today.
He is heavily infested with pin worms,( most Russians in the stores now are wild caught and carrying large parasite loads) and is being treated for them.

I'm new to Russians too, so hope this info is usefull to you.
I have linked a Tortoise Trust article on Hibernation for you below. Should you choose to join the Tortoise Trust email discussion list you can do so from the linked site.
Terry.

T.T article Safer Hibernation.

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Re: Russian Tortoise Questions/ More! Terry 05/29/00 (0)

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Comments:
: Hi Pat, : Kathy gave you some great info, she's right spinach should be avoided, it contains high levels of oxalic acid which interfers with the torts ability to absorb calcium. : I am new to Russians, ( i keep other species of torts and turts) I got my first Russian on Saturday. : He has been quarantined, is being fed last to avoid cross contamination and will never come into contact with my other tortoises, who are all housed according to species. : I'm subscribed to a few tortoise email discussion lists and have been busy asking questions there on info for my new Russian Tortoise! : Russians will beg for food, it is easy to overfeed them as they simply beg for more. : So be strict and don't overfeed it, if it's a new tortoise it's a great sign that it's eating already. : Avoid fruits, instead feed leafy greens, endive, romaine, escarole, mustard greens, carrot tops,carrots, dandelion etc . : Opuntia cactus with the spines removed is a good addition to the diet. : Other edible plants ,weeds, flowers and grasses are great too and should make up most of the diet with a small variety of the leafy greens mixed in. You can also mix in ground up Timothy Hay which will help provide the fiber these torts need. : If you haven't already please take your Russian to a vet, I got mine on Saturday and took him today. : He is heavily infested with pin worms,( most Russians in the stores now are wild caught and carrying large parasite loads) and is being treated for them. : I'm new to Russians too, so hope this info is usefull to you. : I have linked a Tortoise Trust article on Hibernation for you below. Should you choose to join the Tortoise Trust email discussion list you can do so from the linked site. : Terry.

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