Re: Bill or Billie

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Posted by Eric T. on August 31, 2000 at 22:13:31:

In Reply to: Bill or Billie posted by Denise on August 31, 2000 at 15:20:38:

:Hello Denise:
RKGJR is correct the white stuff is urates (concentrated reptile urine), totally normal. Russian tortoises get to about 8" the females a little larger so your tortoise is just about full grown. It isn't always easy to determine age with out seeing the animal but I would guess about 15yrs+. It seems to me that russian torts reach full size in about 20yrs. But alot depends on how they were raised, availability of food, types of food, heat, and if they are hibernated or not.
To determine sex is pretty straight forward. The plastron (bottom shell) in males is slightly concave around the back leg area-- makes it easier to mount the female during mating, and the tail of the male is longer with the vent opening closer to the tip (this makes it easier for him to slide his tail under her tail during mating.
Everybody else here on the forum recommends using large Rubbermaid storage bins. and that seems to work great. Russian tortoises need a lot of roaming room to be happy. And the more interesting things you put into their habitat the better; they are very curious animals.

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: :Hello Denise: : RKGJR is correct the white stuff is urates (concentrated reptile urine), totally normal. Russian tortoises get to about 8" the females a little larger so your tortoise is just about full grown. It isn't always easy to determine age with out seeing the animal but I would guess about 15yrs+. It seems to me that russian torts reach full size in about 20yrs. But alot depends on how they were raised, availability of food, types of food, heat, and if they are hibernated or not. : To determine sex is pretty straight forward. The plastron (bottom shell) in males is slightly concave around the back leg area-- makes it easier to mount the female during mating, and the tail of the male is longer with the vent opening closer to the tip (this makes it easier for him to slide his tail under her tail during mating. : Everybody else here on the forum recommends using large Rubbermaid storage bins. and that seems to work great. Russian tortoises need a lot of roaming room to be happy. And the more interesting things you put into their habitat the better; they are very curious animals.

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