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So, we picked up a Russian tortoise on Friday. He was in an enclosure with 3 other sulcatas. It was a fairly small enclosure too. Not saying that's what the problem is, but the guy I got him from wasn't very descriptive on him at all. Anyways, point being, we've only had him a couple days. I took him out today to let him roam around the kitchen, and he did this...


Not quite sure what it is. I cleaned it up, had sort of a egg white type texture (the yellow stuff), and I have NO idea what the other stuff is!!! I was unfortunately not in the room when he did it, so I am not positive which end it came out of...is it normal? And more important, what is it?? Should I take him to the vet to have him checked out?

Well, here's a good picture of him...

Don't worry, it's VERY normal! That is the "urates" that come out in their urine! It's generally a milky white but sometimes is peachish or pinkish! And it's GOOD that it's runny like that! If he gets dehydrated, then it will get dry and chunky and that can be a problem!

He's VERY handsome, btw!!!

Oh thank goodness!! I was worrying about him!! So every time he pees it will look like that? Eeep!! Thank you sooo much for all of your help!

We like him =) We named him Billy Bob, he is definitely cute!!

Most of the time when he pees it will look like that, but he may just have some clear uring sometimes, too. They especially do that when you soak them - they prefer to eliminate their liquids when they have liquids to replenish them with (if that makes sense)!

You're going to have a lot of fun with him! Be sure to keep asking questions!!!

We soaked him yesterday but didn't see anything weird then. Oh speaking of, how long do you soak them for? We soaked him for about 5-10 minutes, I think I read half an hour if they're dehydrated, we figured 10 minutes was safe.

What does their poop look like?

great looking tort.

Soaking varies amongst people... I soak my Russians once a week for about 15 minutes... but they self-soak often throughout the week, and I hit them with the spray bottle a couple of times a week, too (LOL I have a couple that LOVE that!)

Poops vary but should be firm, although my girls that eat a lot of hay have some big fluffy hay-filled poops! LOL!

How do they self-soak? Hehe I'll look forward to seeing my first poop! Hopefully I won't over-react like the urine!

Thanks for the compliment wayne.bob! He's a great guy so far. He does surprisingly well for how close my 5 year old son gets to him at times!

I keep a shallow dish full of water in their enclosure and they go and sit in it whenever they feel like it.

Congrats on your new guy! I have one of my males that cannot wait until I clean his water bowl each day and fill it with warm water. He climbs right in and stretches his legs out like he's in a hot tub!

jlyoncc1 Wrote:Congrats on your new guy! I have one of my males that cannot wait until I clean his water bowl each day and fill it with warm water. He climbs right in and stretches his legs out like he's in a hot tub!

That's sounds so cute!

He's pretty, okay so handsome...lol. Congrats!

Thanks!! Hm, seems my tortoise is the only one that doesn't seem to like water. He tried to climb out the whole time and was not enjoying it. We had the water lukewarm. Any tips?

my torts like to try and run away too. i think i need a bigger water dish for my guys. they do self soak sometimes

Not all of my russians like it. They get used to the soaks after a while. It is just my one guy that loves it.