Re: New Russian Tort

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Posted by Terry on March 09, 2002 at 08:48:13:

In Reply to: Re: New Russian Tort posted by Joe on March 08, 2002 at 21:22:10:

Joe.
The substrate must be completely dry, not damp for Russian tortoises.
Keeping them on a damp substrate will quickly lead to respiratory problems and skin/shell problems.

So dry substrate and a day time heat gradient of around 86-90 under the heat lamp, but with a cooler side also around 80 degrees.
They need this gradient so they can move between the warm and cooler sides to thermoregulate.

Night time temperature 75 degrees.

First I would remove the substrate and replace with dry substrate, also make sure the temperatures are correct.

Then I would soak the tortoise for around 10 minutes.As he's not eating or drinking on his own he could get dehydrated.
Soak him in shallow luke warm water.
The water sould only come to the point where the top shell (carapace) meets the under shell (plastron).
The tortoise must be able to sit comfortably in the water, with it's head completely out of the water.
After the soak, dry the tortoise of well and put it back in the enclosure.
Offer a meal of romaine lettuce, endive with a little grated carrot and squash mixed in. Some people use trhe Dole salad mix that contains Romaine, endive and raddicio I would still add a little grated carrot and squash though.
Leave him completely alone to eat in peace.

Being wild caught he is not used to humans and everything is strange and frightening for him.

As long as he continues not eating give him a soak once or twice a week. Once he starts eating he won't need the soaks.

A vet visit is a *must*, including a fecal test for worms.
The number one killer of wild caught Russian tortoises is from internal parasites.
Don't try to deworm it yourself, many dewormers for mammals and snakes etc aren't safe for tortoises.

Dry substrate, correct temperatures, UV lighting a vet visit and plenty of peace and quiet so it can get used to its new surroundings.
If you live in a warm area outdoor housing is the way to go. If not them outdoor housing in a large/safe enclosure during summer, indoors during winter is the best way to keep Russians.
Hope this helps and that you also found some useful info at those web sites.

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: Joe. : The substrate must be completely dry, not damp for Russian tortoises. : Keeping them on a damp substrate will quickly lead to respiratory problems and skin/shell problems. : So dry substrate and a day time heat gradient of around 86-90 under the heat lamp, but with a cooler side also around 80 degrees. : They need this gradient so they can move between the warm and cooler sides to thermoregulate. : Night time temperature 75 degrees. : First I would remove the substrate and replace with dry substrate, also make sure the temperatures are correct. : Then I would soak the tortoise for around 10 minutes.As he's not eating or drinking on his own he could get dehydrated. : Soak him in shallow luke warm water. : The water sould only come to the point where the top shell (carapace) meets the under shell (plastron). : The tortoise must be able to sit comfortably in the water, with it's head completely out of the water. : After the soak, dry the tortoise of well and put it back in the enclosure. : Offer a meal of romaine lettuce, endive with a little grated carrot and squash mixed in. Some people use trhe Dole salad mix that contains Romaine, endive and raddicio I would still add a little grated carrot and squash though. : Leave him completely alone to eat in peace. : Being wild caught he is not used to humans and everything is strange and frightening for him. : As long as he continues not eating give him a soak once or twice a week. Once he starts eating he won't need the soaks. : A vet visit is a *must*, including a fecal test for worms. : The number one killer of wild caught Russian tortoises is from internal parasites. : Don't try to deworm it yourself, many dewormers for mammals and snakes etc aren't safe for tortoises. : Dry substrate, correct temperatures, UV lighting a vet visit and plenty of peace and quiet so it can get used to its new surroundings. : If you live in a warm area outdoor housing is the way to go. If not them outdoor housing in a large/safe enclosure during summer, indoors during winter is the best way to keep Russians. : Hope this helps and that you also found some useful info at those web sites.

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