Concerned new Russian tortoise owner

Shelly1

New Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2017
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3
Location (City and/or State)
Ohio
I'm a new owner of a Russian tortoise. I am concerned about the shell forming his underside. I noticed almost like splitting and a piece of the actual shell came off near his arm. Any idea what is causing this and should I be concerned?
 

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Tom

The Dog Trainer
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Shelly1

New Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2017
Messages
3
Location (City and/or State)
Ohio
Hello and welcome.

Did you buy him at Petco or Petsmart? Those guys sell imported wild caught tortoises. Looks like you are seeing the effects of something that happened long ago.

Pet stores tend to give out the wrong info and sell the wrong products. Here is the right info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
Thank you, we actually bought him from someone else so we're not sure where he came from originally. Is he gonna be ok?
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
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Thank you, we actually bought him from someone else so we're not sure where he came from originally. Is he gonna be ok?

That shell issue should not be a big problem, but there is no way to predict what else might be going on inside a wild caught tortoise. Many of them survive and thrive for decades.
 

Maitaimommy

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Jul 26, 2017
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229
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Hi Shelly,
First off, i think your russian is gorgeous!
I agree with Tom but I'm also curious about how much you feed him and does he have regular access to multivitamin supplements and sunshine
 

Shelly1

New Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2017
Messages
3
Location (City and/or State)
Ohio
Hi Shelly,
First off, i think your russian is gorgeous!
I agree with Tom but I'm also curious about how much you feed him and does he have regular access to multivitamin supplements and sunshine

Hi! I feed him mostly kale for about 20 minutes every other day. I did treat him with some carrot this morning. I don't have any supplements but I would love any recommendations. As far as sunlight, he has a light in his crate but has been sleeping a lot in his hut most days.
 

Maitaimommy

Active Member
Joined
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Messages
229
Location (City and/or State)
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Ok. My russian loves radiccio, chicory/endive and organic clover sprouts. I also treat him with carrots or organic spring mix minus the spinach. I keep trying to give him new things to keep it interesting. He's so easy and truly the best pet I've ever had:)
I also try to take my tort outside as much as possible to soak up the sun and play in the grass. As for vitamins, I use a powdered multi suppliment that I purchased online. It's Rep- Cal. Not sure if that's the best brand but he seems to like it and he is doing very well:)
Hope this helps!
 

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