Re: New update

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Posted by Eric T. on August 06, 2000 at 22:52:14:

In Reply to: New update posted by Paco on August 06, 2000 at 15:29:46:

:Lets start with food. I wouldn't use spider plant. But alot of the succulents are fine; sedum,hen-and-chicks ( sorry I can't think of the latin name.)
Again I'm assuming that you are purchasing a Russian tortoise? (i'm sorry again, I didn't pay attention to some of the previous posts). Russians are very good diggers and can easily dig down a foot or more, they are also good climbers -don't let them fool you if there is an escape you tortoise will find it.
It is best to assume that the employees at this store either don't know the answers, or will out and out lie to you to make a sale; I know, I work in a petstore!. Most, if not all, of the Russians are wild caught.
When you go to see the Tortoises you should ask to handle them. A healthy tortoise should feel solid/heavy--the eyes should be bright and shiney not crusted over and the tortoise should react some way with its enviroment, a healthy tortoise is generally a feisty one. See if it can hang on to your hand only using its front legs like doing pull-ups, healthy tortoises are extremely strong. Take a look at the tortoise's vent--The opening at the tail where all the wast comes out; the vent should be relatively clean. If it is crusted over with his last bowel movement that probably means he is ill. Finely, ask to see him walk if he drags his rump so that the back of his shell is dragging on the ground/floor/whatever it could be a sign of calcium deficiency.

I really hope that I didn't put you in a panic with everything I wrote, it is rare to find a tortoise with every problem in existance. And alot of these problems can be corrected.

And I hope I understood it correctly... you are getting a Russian, right?

Follow Ups:

Re: New update brad 08/07/00 (6)
- Re: New update-BUT I DID - Will he be OK? Leslie 08/07/00 (1)
  - Re: New update-BUT I DID - Will he be OK? brad 08/08/00 (0)
- Yep, it's a Russian Paco 08/07/00 (3)
  - Re: Yep, it's a Russian brad 08/07/00 (2)
    - Well, my town is so small that there isn't even an Elks Club Paco 08/07/00 (1)
      - Well you could save one of those poor creatures from PETSMART... Leslie 08/07/00 (0)

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: :Lets start with food. I wouldn't use spider plant. But alot of the succulents are fine; sedum,hen-and-chicks ( sorry I can't think of the latin name.) : Again I'm assuming that you are purchasing a Russian tortoise? (i'm sorry again, I didn't pay attention to some of the previous posts). Russians are very good diggers and can easily dig down a foot or more, they are also good climbers -don't let them fool you if there is an escape you tortoise will find it. : It is best to assume that the employees at this store either don't know the answers, or will out and out lie to you to make a sale; I know, I work in a petstore!. Most, if not all, of the Russians are wild caught. : When you go to see the Tortoises you should ask to handle them. A healthy tortoise should feel solid/heavy--the eyes should be bright and shiney not crusted over and the tortoise should react some way with its enviroment, a healthy tortoise is generally a feisty one. See if it can hang on to your hand only using its front legs like doing pull-ups, healthy tortoises are extremely strong. Take a look at the tortoise's vent--The opening at the tail where all the wast comes out; the vent should be relatively clean. If it is crusted over with his last bowel movement that probably means he is ill. Finely, ask to see him walk if he drags his rump so that the back of his shell is dragging on the ground/floor/whatever it could be a sign of calcium deficiency. : : I really hope that I didn't put you in a panic with everything I wrote, it is rare to find a tortoise with every problem in existance. And alot of these problems can be corrected. : : And I hope I understood it correctly... you are getting a Russian, right?

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