Re: New Russian/ need help

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Posted by Terry on June 15, 2001 at 03:44:20:

In Reply to: New Russian/ need help posted by Glenn on June 15, 2001 at 00:57:10:

Hi Glenn.
Please tell us how the tortoise is housed.
Type of enclosure and size of the enclosure.
Substrate used, and temperature ranges in the enclosure, day and night.
Does the tortoise have a hide box and a water dish?

A hide box is important, somewhere he can go to feel secure.

99% of Russian tortoises are wild caught, a vet visit is an absolute must for any newly purchased Russian tortoise.

Make sure the vet does a fecal float. Extremely important, as many newly imported Russian tortoises are carrying a large parasite load (worms).
This MUST be treated by a qualified vet. Don't try home remidies or over the counter drugs.

Don't miss out this important step, a vet visit is very important.

If you can't locate a qualified reptile vet near you, try this site:

http://www.sonic.net/melissk/society.html

Many newly purchased Russian tortoises are a bit dehydrated. So I would give him a soak. Soak him in shallow/lukewarm water for around 10 - 15 minutes.

The water should only reach the very bottom of his neck. Or the point the top shell meets the bottom shell.
Soak for around 10 - 15 minutes.
Then dry him off and put him back in his enclosure.

Offer some food, and leave him in absolute peace and quiet for at least an hour.
You can leave the food in the enclosure for a couple of hours.

If he doesn't eat try again with fresh food, later in the day.But make sure he gets plenty of peace and quite.
He may be too stressed or too shy to come out and eat otherwise.

Try Romaine lettuce and endive, mix in a little grated carrot or yellow squash.

Veggies aren't really recommended and some veggies such as peas, beans or corn shouldn't be on the menu at all.
Brocoli, coliflower etc aren't recommended as a major part of the diet either.

Collard greens are fine, but not a favorite with many torts.

Romaine and endive are great favorites.
Add in other leafy greens as the tortoise starts eating more.
Dandelions, chicory, escarole....

Avoid spinach, chard ,iceburg lettuce and rubbarb greens.

As the tortoise starts eating more you can add in hibiscus flowers, mulberry leaves and other more natural foods.

FORGET the canned tortoise food. Most prepared foods such as canned or pellets are way too high in protein.

I would soak him every other day for 10-15 minutes, UNTIL he starts eating, to keep him hydrated.

Once he starts eating, soak once a week.
Or, no real need to soak him at all, IF he's eating.
But make sure he has a small/shallow dish of clean water to drink from. Although they rarely do, it's there if he wants it. Here are some sites to get you started:

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield_habitat.html

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield.html

http://www.tlady.clara.net/TortGuide/index.htm

http://www.tortoiselife.co.uk/

http://www.turtlecafe.net/habitats.htm

Also I highly recommend you join the Russian Tortoise email list.
It's free and you'll get loads of hands on advise from other Russian Tortoise keepers.

Members include experts, long time keepers, breeders and beginners . It's a very friendly list.
Just sign up, then email with an introduction and your questions.
You'll find a link to the list at the web site below. This web site is owned by the Russian Tortoise email list owner, Joe.

Hope this helps.
Terry.

Russian Tortoise web site.......

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: Hi Glenn. : Please tell us how the tortoise is housed. : Type of enclosure and size of the enclosure. : Substrate used, and temperature ranges in the enclosure, day and night. : Does the tortoise have a hide box and a water dish? : A hide box is important, somewhere he can go to feel secure. : 99% of Russian tortoises are wild caught, a vet visit is an absolute must for any newly purchased Russian tortoise. : Make sure the vet does a fecal float. Extremely important, as many newly imported Russian tortoises are carrying a large parasite load (worms). : This MUST be treated by a qualified vet. Don't try home remidies or over the counter drugs. : Don't miss out this important step, a vet visit is very important. : If you can't locate a qualified reptile vet near you, try this site: : http://www.sonic.net/melissk/society.html : Many newly purchased Russian tortoises are a bit dehydrated. So I would give him a soak. Soak him in shallow/lukewarm water for around 10 - 15 minutes. : The water should only reach the very bottom of his neck. Or the point the top shell meets the bottom shell. : Soak for around 10 - 15 minutes. : Then dry him off and put him back in his enclosure. : Offer some food, and leave him in absolute peace and quiet for at least an hour. : You can leave the food in the enclosure for a couple of hours. : If he doesn't eat try again with fresh food, later in the day.But make sure he gets plenty of peace and quite. : He may be too stressed or too shy to come out and eat otherwise. : Try Romaine lettuce and endive, mix in a little grated carrot or yellow squash. : : Veggies aren't really recommended and some veggies such as peas, beans or corn shouldn't be on the menu at all. : Brocoli, coliflower etc aren't recommended as a major part of the diet either. : Collard greens are fine, but not a favorite with many torts. : Romaine and endive are great favorites. : Add in other leafy greens as the tortoise starts eating more. : Dandelions, chicory, escarole.... : Avoid spinach, chard ,iceburg lettuce and rubbarb greens. : As the tortoise starts eating more you can add in hibiscus flowers, mulberry leaves and other more natural foods. : FORGET the canned tortoise food. Most prepared foods such as canned or pellets are way too high in protein. : I would soak him every other day for 10-15 minutes, UNTIL he starts eating, to keep him hydrated. : Once he starts eating, soak once a week. : Or, no real need to soak him at all, IF he's eating. : But make sure he has a small/shallow dish of clean water to drink from. Although they rarely do, it's there if he wants it. Here are some sites to get you started: : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield_habitat.html : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield.html : http://www.tlady.clara.net/TortGuide/index.htm : http://www.tortoiselife.co.uk/ : http://www.turtlecafe.net/habitats.htm : Also I highly recommend you join the Russian Tortoise email list. : It's free and you'll get loads of hands on advise from other Russian Tortoise keepers. : Members include experts, long time keepers, breeders and beginners . It's a very friendly list. : Just sign up, then email with an introduction and your questions. : You'll find a link to the list at the web site below. This web site is owned by the Russian Tortoise email list owner, Joe. : Hope this helps. : Terry.

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