Bonding with my Russian tortoise

marissab

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Hi!
I have a few month old Russian tortoise from Petco named Luigi Stanley. I adopted him July 24, but I believed he had respiratory issues so he was under the care of the vets at petco for 10 days, and he was just released to me yesterday
I know people online who have had their Russians sit with them, hand feed them, and have them chill with them on the couch-
I soaked my tortoise yesterday and took him for a walk outside, and he even crawled on me!
But whenever I try to pick him up or hold him, he seems scared and poops everywhere!
He seems to like it when I pet his head because he stretches out his neck, but other than that, I'm worried that he'll never like me. He's never bitten me so I think that might be a good sign...
Any suggestions on bonding with a tortoise? I want to be a loving pet owner, but this is my first tortoise and I'm just beginning.
Any help?
 

Jodie

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It takes them a long time to adjust. Can we see pics of your tortoise. I think petco may have misled you on are.
Bonding might not be an apt word, but they do learn you bring food, and will not hurt them.
 

marissab

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It takes them a long time to adjust. Can we see pics of your tortoise. I think petco may have misled you on are.
Bonding might not be an apt word, but they do learn you bring food, and will not hurt them.
. Yes, I agree they misled me- I believe he might be 5-8 years old, maybe older.but here are some pictures of the little guy. He holds his tail to the side. They also told me they wouldn't know his gender til he's older. If he's actually a girl, I'll have to change his name from Luigi to Lucy!
 

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dmmj

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get a clear picture of the vent on the tail for sexing. I think your tortoise is older than what they told you.
 

Jodie

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Yes he is an adult. Probably wild caught, so it will take him a while to adjust. Looks good though. Love their sweet little faces. We can probably tell you sex with good tail pics.
 

marissab

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Yes he is an adult. Probably wild caught, so it will take him a while to adjust. Looks good though. Love their sweet little faces. We can probably tell you sex with good tail pics.

Here is the tail . I might call them and ask for the breeder name and phone number or email. It's not right to mislead new pet owners. How long do you think he will live since he's an adult?
 

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Jodie

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I definitely think male. Mature male at that. He will live A long time. It sucks that they are so horrible. He is a good looking tortoise though.
 

marissab

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I definitely think male. Mature male at that. He will live A long time. It sucks that they are so horrible. He is a good looking tortoise though.

I am definitely against taking animals from their homes, but I hope he likes his new home! He's definitely a cutie. Very photogenic. Thanks for your help
 

dmmj

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Here is his tail
he definitely looks like a mail to me as well. A nice mature male could be decades old could be 10 years old. if they're trying to sell wild caught as captive-born that's dishonest do you mind me asking how much you paid for it?
 

marissab

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he definitely looks like a mail to me as well. A nice mature male could be decades old could be 10 years old. if they're trying to sell wild caught as captive-born that's dishonest do you mind me asking how much you paid for it?
I paid $200 for him, maybe more. I want to call them and ask about their "breeder" because they're either uninformed or very dishonest
 

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