Re: My son's russian tortoise died. One of many that will try to answer....

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Posted by Terry on December 03, 2000 at 11:23:06:

In Reply to: Re: My son's russian tortoise died. One of many that will try to answer.... posted by m chambers on December 03, 2000 at 10:53:14:

Sorry to hear that the Russian died.
Here's some advise incase you get another tortoise.

Mixing species is never recommended, there is the very real threat of cross contamination, which can be fatal.
One species may harbor a virus or parasite that it can handle without any problems. However another species may have never encountered the virus/parasite and have little or no resistence to it.

Russian tortoises and box turtles require very different set ups/environments/diets.

Box turtles need a cooler and more humid environment than Russians, who need an arid habitat.Russians tortoises shoiuldn't be kept in humid or damp conditions.

The diet is also very different, box turtles are omnivores and can be fed a large variety of foods, including fruits and animal protein.

Russian tortoises are herbivores/grazers. They shouldn't be fed fruit or animal protein.
Insteat their diet should consist of grasses, weeds, edible plants and flowers and some leafy greens. A little grated yam/carrot/or squash can be added. But fruit should only be given in a small amount as a rare treat.

Then there's quarantine.
Any new turtle/tortoise of the same species must be quarantined away from any tortoises/turtles you may already have.
The minimum quarantine should be 3 months. This is for turtles/tortoises of the SAME species.
Mixing species is NOT recommended at all.

I keep Russian torts, NA box turtles, Sulcatas and C galbinifrons. Each species have their own large outdoor enclosure and have NEVER come into contact with any tortoise/turtle of another species.

You'll learn more here:

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/faq.html#separate

Did you ever take the Russian tortoise to a vet?
It's one of the first things you should do when buying a Russian Tortoise. They are wild caught and often infested with internal parasites. Or there are other health problems.
So a vet visit including a stool test is a MUST for any new Russian Tortoise.
I'll find a link to Carapace Press, where you can order the Russian video and post again.
There is also a Russian Tortoise email list at egroups, I've linked it below.
Hope this helps,
Terry.

Russian Tortoise email group.

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: Sorry to hear that the Russian died. : Here's some advise incase you get another tortoise. : Mixing species is never recommended, there is the very real threat of cross contamination, which can be fatal. : One species may harbor a virus or parasite that it can handle without any problems. However another species may have never encountered the virus/parasite and have little or no resistence to it. : Russian tortoises and box turtles require very different set ups/environments/diets. : Box turtles need a cooler and more humid environment than Russians, who need an arid habitat.Russians tortoises shoiuldn't be kept in humid or damp conditions. : The diet is also very different, box turtles are omnivores and can be fed a large variety of foods, including fruits and animal protein. : Russian tortoises are herbivores/grazers. They shouldn't be fed fruit or animal protein. : Insteat their diet should consist of grasses, weeds, edible plants and flowers and some leafy greens. A little grated yam/carrot/or squash can be added. But fruit should only be given in a small amount as a rare treat. : Then there's quarantine. : Any new turtle/tortoise of the same species must be quarantined away from any tortoises/turtles you may already have. : The minimum quarantine should be 3 months. This is for turtles/tortoises of the SAME species. : Mixing species is NOT recommended at all. : I keep Russian torts, NA box turtles, Sulcatas and C galbinifrons. Each species have their own large outdoor enclosure and have NEVER come into contact with any tortoise/turtle of another species. : You'll learn more here: : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/care/faq.html#separate : Did you ever take the Russian tortoise to a vet? : It's one of the first things you should do when buying a Russian Tortoise. They are wild caught and often infested with internal parasites. Or there are other health problems. : So a vet visit including a stool test is a MUST for any new Russian Tortoise. : I'll find a link to Carapace Press, where you can order the Russian video and post again. : There is also a Russian Tortoise email list at egroups, I've linked it below. : Hope this helps, : Terry.

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