Setting up for a Russian Tortoise - Constructive comments welcome

[Tom]

@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT @Daffodil

Couple of questions.

1. Right after soaking Sandy always goes to this rock. Is this normal where Sandy hides her/his head? Any concerns? Temps at this point is overall temperature is 75 degrees or higher and basking is 95 to 100 degrees. Sandy stays there for a hour or so than is very active during the day. Walks around entire enclosure. See picture.

View attachment 383337

2. I currently mix both of these into a mash and mix with Escarole and other grocery leaf bought from grocery story. What would be a good mix. I am thinking a ratio of as follows. Place in hot water then mash it into something like baby food.

• 5 pellets - Mazuri Original 5M21 Tortoise Food
• 10 pellets - Zoo Med Natural Grassland Tortoise Food

Also add a very small amount of Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 Reptile Supplement in the mix also

Pile of food is equal to Sandy's shell and I always end up throwing 1/2 away so Sandy does not eat all the food. Sandy does eat both leaves and mashed pellets equally as far as I can see when I notice Sandy eating. Six time yesterday!

3. Side note Have Seed Mix: Broadleaf testudo mix planted and Dandelions but not yet ready to harvest yet as a leaf food source. Still have not got a indoor green thumb yet but I keep trying.

1. Not concered about that.

2. For a single Russian, a half of one or one ZooMed pellet mixed with greens is plenty. Maybe 3 or 4 Mazuri pellets.

Calcium should not be used in conjunction with balanced foods like Mazuri or ZooMed. It will upset the balance. Feed calcium only twice a week on other days.

Are you adding in dried leave from Kapidolo Farms, or Food Fixer or Herbal Hay or from tortoise supply?

3. It's hard to grow things indoors. The sun's power is difficult to duplicate with electrical lights.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

For number one, my Russian does hide like that sometimes. I would say she is just sleeping and hiding after the soak. No cause of concern there

 

[David Steere]

@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT @Daffodil

Please let know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

December 2024
Monthly Checking: Sandy gained 39 grams and grew 1/4 inch this month!
Weight: 324.5 grams
Length: 4 1/2 inches +/-

 

[_The_Beast_]

Sandy looks amazing thank you for the update

 

[EppsDynasty]

Amazing Job!

 

[Anastasia 22]

Sandy looks great !!!

 

[wellington]

Okay, you can't keep scraping the brownish color off to keep her this beautiful color lol. Yes,I'm kidding. She is gorgeous!

 

[SinLA]

she's beautiful!

 

[David Steere]

@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT @Daffodil

Just noticed something new and want to make sure it is nothing serious.

The last week or so I noticed while soaking Sandy something coming out from where Sandy goes to the bathroom.

Comes out maybe a 1/4", looks tongue shaped and appears I thing when Sandy urates but not positive. Whatever it is it retracts back inside Sandy so the area looks normal.

Everything else is normal from what I can see. Sandy feels heavy for the tortoises size. Eats off an on all day. Poops, pees and urates fine each morning during soaks.

Moves around the entire enclose the whole day. Caught Sandy in water dish and Sandy actually slept in the humid hide once.

I will try to take a picture next time it happens but just wanted to ask in meantime.

 

[wellington]

I'm thinking Sandy is a boy. Look up tortoise flashing/penis. If that's what it looks like, congrats it's a boy.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I'm thinking Sandy is a boy. Look up tortoise flashing/penis. If that's what it looks like, congrats it's a boy.

I am thinking the same. I have seen mine flash when peeing.

 

[_The_Beast_]

@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT @Daffodil

Just noticed something new and want to make sure it is nothing serious.

The last week or so I noticed while soaking Sandy something coming out from where Sandy goes to the bathroom.

Comes out maybe a 1/4", looks tongue shaped and appears I thing when Sandy urates but not positive. Whatever it is it retracts back inside Sandy so the area looks normal.

Everything else is normal from what I can see. Sandy feels heavy for the tortoises size. Eats off an on all day. Poops, pees and urates fine each morning during soaks.

Moves around the entire enclose the whole day. Caught Sandy in water dish and Sandy actually slept in the humid hide once.

I will try to take a picture next time it happens but just wanted to ask in meantime.

My 14 month old Russian did this yesterday and... It's a boy If you are able to get a pic, folks on the forum can confirm.

 

[David Steere]

I'm thinking Sandy is a boy. Look up tortoise flashing/penis. If that's what it looks like, congrats it's a boy.

Sandy is only 16 months old. Do tortoises display that at such an early age?

 

[David Steere]

My 14 month old Russian did this yesterday and... It's a boy If you are able to get a pic, folks on the forum can confirm.

Okay I will have my camera ready each soak. I was very worried that Sandy was pushing her intestines out while having to go to the bathroom or something.

 

[_The_Beast_]

Okay I will have my camera ready each soak. I was very worried that Sandy was pushing her intestines out while having to go to the bathroom or something.

Oh goodness, no it's almost certainly not that. I posted a pic in this thread yesterday. What does Sandy's vent (tail opening) look like? That might be easier to get a picture of and can help confirm as well.

 

[David Steere]

Oh goodness, no it's almost certainly not that. I posted a pic in this thread yesterday. What does Sandy's vent (tail opening) look like? That might be easier to get a picture of and can help confirm as well.

I'm feeling better each post!

Not as large as your photo yet. Looks sort of like a little tail coming out. I need to have my camera ready. Every time I go to grab camera and come back it gone.

Sandy is not being very cooperative this morning. Tail tucked in tight. Will try to get a better picture as soon as I can.

 

[Tom]

Oh yeah. We can already see that that is a male tail...

16 months is certainly old enough to start flashing, and Sandy is also larger than most of them are at this age due to your excellent care, housing, diet, and hydration routine. Most baby Russians are housed way too dry, not fed properly, not well hydrated, and they tend to grow very slowly because of this. Their conditions could best be described as "survivable", where your conditions could best be described as "optimal".

 

[EppsDynasty]

Start picking 'Boy' Colors for the Babies Room.

 

[David Steere]

Oh yeah. We can already see that that is a male tail...

16 months is certainly old enough to start flashing, and Sandy is also larger than most of them are at this age due to your excellent care, housing, diet, and hydration routine. Most baby Russians are housed way too dry, not fed properly, not well hydrated, and they tend to grow very slowly because of this. Their conditions could best be described as "survivable", where your conditions could best be described as "optimal".

Great news. I was hoping Sandy was a boy since I did not want to deal with impacted eggs that I hear nightmares about and glad it is one less thing to worry about!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I'm feeling better each post!

Not as large as your photo yet. Looks sort of like a little tail coming out. I need to have my camera ready. Every time I go to grab camera and come back it gone.

Sandy is not being very cooperative this morning. Tail tucked in tight. Will try to get a better picture as soon as I can.

View attachment 384286

It is a male trait to carry the tail to the side like this. Flashing is alright as long as it still goes back in. If it doesn't you would be dealing with prolapse.