not moving but not in his shell

moorealanna1

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Hi, my russian tortoise that i got yesterday has been in the same spot for a couple hours but he’s not tucked in his shell should i be worried?
 

Tom

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Hi, my russian tortoise that i got yesterday has been in the same spot for a couple hours but he’s not tucked in his shell should i be worried?
They only tuck into their shells when they feel threatened or attacked. As long as he is alive, I would not worry.
 

moorealanna1

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They only tuck into their shells when they feel threatened or attacked. As long as he is alive, I would not worry.
Okay he’s just pressed against the front of the glass so i’m just worried that he’s stressed out
 

SinLA

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can you share pics? Of him and the enclosure.

They don't like change. Can take a LONG TIME like days or more before they feel comfortable to even move around
 

moorealanna1

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can you share pics? Of him and the enclosure.

They don't like change. Can take a LONG TIME like days or more before they feel comfortable to even move around
 

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wellington

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The enclosure is too small, needs to be minimum of a 4x8 foot for an adult russian.
Also your gauges need to be at tortoise height and should be the digital kind. Those disc are not accurate.
 

moorealanna1

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The enclosure is too small, needs to be minimum of a 4x8 foot for an adult russian.
Also your gauges need to be at tortoise height and should be the digital kind. Those disc are not accurate.
At the store this was the one they told me to get and unfortunately I won’t be able to a get new for a little while but he’s a baby so i’ll definetly be getting a bigger one when he gets bigger. And yes those thermometers have not moved once! I have some new ones coming in the mail today!
 

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Yeah pet stores are the worst. I would invest in a digital thermometer gun though. There’s a lot of good advice here on this thread. Hopefully you can get him/her more room soon…
 

moorealanna1

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Yeah pet stores are the worst. I would invest in a digital thermometer gun though. There’s a lot of good advice here on this thread. Hopefully you can get him/her more room soon…
I’m gonna hopefully get him to 55 gallons around january that tank took a big chunk out of budget but i’m gonna add a thermometer gun to my cart rn!
 

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Hi and welcome,
We've all been given bad advice from breeders, online, social media and even some non specialist vets when we started out and had to make changes to make sure our torts stay happy and healthy. Pet stores are there to make profit and rarely know about tort care so they will often sell unsuitable and even unsafe equipment with no thought for how it will affect the animal.
This is the most up to date caresheet that will help you put things right and help your tort thrive -
Read that through but ask as many questions as you like, you'll always get help.
If you want to post some pics of his enclosure and the lamps you are using members can help you make sure your tort has everything he needs.
 

moorealanna1

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Hi and welcome,
We've all been given bad advice from breeders, online, social media and even some non specialist vets when we started out and had to make changes to make sure our torts stay happy and healthy. Pet stores are there to make profit and rarely know about tort care so they will often sell unsuitable and even unsafe equipment with no thought for how it will affect the animal.
This is the most up to date caresheet that will help you put things right and help your tort thrive -
Read that through but ask as many questions as you like, you'll always get help.
If you want to post some pics of his enclosure and the lamps you are using members can help you make sure your tort has everything he needs.
Thanks so much :)
 

SinLA

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Before you spend too much money on a 55 gallon tank, maybe look ahead long term, you're going to need bigger than that. Look into a 4' x 8' tortoise table (or DIY one yourself from a thrift-store bookshelf) or something that you won't need to replace again before you know it.
 

moorealanna1

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Before you spend too much money on a 55 gallon tank, maybe look ahead long term, you're going to need bigger than that. Look into a 4' x 8' tortoise table (or DIY one yourself from a thrift-store bookshelf) or something that you won't need to replace again before you know it.
My plan is to get him 55 gallons or 70 gallons (that’s all my aquarium stand fits) then when i move out go up to 100 gallons within the next couple years!
 

wellington

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My plan is to get him 55 gallons or 70 gallons (that’s all my aquarium stand fits) then when i move out go up to 100 gallons within the next couple years!

He does not look like a baby by the look of his shell and most pet stores do not sell babies.
Do not waste your money on an aquarium. Unless you pay big bucks to have one custom made you are not going to have a proper sized enclosure. If you cant give him that then maybe its not the pet for you.
If you build one you can at least make it a two level enclosure and give the roaming room he needs. Let's not forget they roam many miles in the wild, the least we can do is try to give them the minimum.
The needs of the tortoise needs to be met not the size of the aquarium stand.
 

moorealanna1

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He does not look like a baby by the look of his shell and most pet stores do not sell babies.
Do not waste your money on an aquarium. Unless you pay big bucks to have one custom made you are not going to have a proper sized enclosure. If you cant give him that then maybe its not the pet for you.
If you build one you can at least make it a two level enclosure and give the roaming room he needs. Let's not forget they roam many miles in the wild, the least we can do is try to give them the minimum.
The needs of the tortoise needs to be met not the size of the aquarium stand.
They told me he was less than one years old but i’ve seen enclosures smaller than that i’m not saying that makes it okay but i’m doing what i can with what I have to give him a good life!
 

moorealanna1

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I’ll take any advice i can get within the realm of what i can provide him he’s got lots of fresh veggies and water and some enrichment “toys” on the way with better lamps and better thermometer on the way as well and even a vet so i’m doing my best if i don’t think he’s happy i’ll find him another home but until then i’m going to try and give him a good life, thanks!
 

wellington

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I’ll take any advice i can get within the realm of what i can provide him he’s got lots of fresh veggies and water and some enrichment “toys” on the way with better lamps and better thermometer on the way as well and even a vet so i’m doing my best if i don’t think he’s happy i’ll find him another home but until then i’m going to try and give him a good life, thanks!
I'm not saying you aren't trying but stop thinking what the pet store told you is golden, its not. What you will learn on here is you listen and read the caresheets is what is needed. You want him to flourish and live a long life, not just exist.
Again he is likely older then 1 and is an adult. The shell looks ruff for a one year old and they don't usually get babies.
What kind of veggies are you feeding?
They need broad leaf weeds and greens, not what I would call veggies, but would call weeds and greens/salad greens. He doesn't need toys, he needs the space to roam, toys will just take up the little space he has.
 
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