I'm not sure how relevant this is for Russian Tortoises, but my two always-hungry Red-footed Tortoises happily consume their own "poo" (to use the vernacular term). If I didn't occasionally catch them in "the act," I'd worry that they are "backed up" (to use another vernacular term). Waste not...
Looking at the turtle and the way the skin is stretched, I would say that the people who think this turtle is sick are correct. It certainly looks bloated, not fat, and I suspect edema or even a pneumothorax. Could be an infection or other cause, it would take a veterinary workup to be sure...
As others have said, the general statement is true, but there's a big "if." It assumes that the turtle has dug into the leaf litter and surface soil in fall, and has gradually cooled down, going into hibernation (or brumation) mode. Under these conditions, they can tolerate subfreezing...
Knowing what was most familiar to a European artist helps— I think the top (left hand) tortoise is a European species, probably Testudo hermanni. The other (right) is different though, with the carapacial rays... it does look something like a pancake tortoise, but wondering what might most...
Mark is correct, they are cooters. Basically very aquatic, but like to bask. Diet is more herbivorous than sliders. But mainly, they get very big, and will need a very large water-holding habitat
in just a few years, so not the best choice for long-term pets (and turtles are always long-term)...
That's definitely a Yellow-bellied Slider; the lengthwise grooves on the carapace are diagnostic. Does look somewhat melanistic, though the head pattern is hidden. Needs to be released near water (pond, marsh, etc.)
Yes, it is possible to "do it yourself" if trained and are careful not to crack the beak. But if an experienced person such as yourself is not available. I'd still recommend going to a "herp-trained" vet.
A couple of comments... there is no evidence that box turtles purposely return to the spot where they hatched (via the stars or GPS or anything else), but it is possible that generations of box turtles living in a certain habitat might end up nesting in the same general area, if the open, sunny...
Keep in mind that although many turtles will nest in a sand substrate, this is not a dry sand— it has to have sufficient moisture to hold together when the female digs her nest cavity, and retain sufficient moisture throughout incubation to prevent the eggs from dessicating.
Just to follow up on all the previous good advice... this is indeed an Elongated Tortoise with severe metabolic bone disease, and agree that a vet will be of limited value unless it develops an obvious infection. You do need to set this animal up in a large controlled environment where you can...
Agree with Rachels, some soaked Mazuri tortoise diet once or twice a month is fine. While redfoots can tolerate more protein than most other torts, new owners worry too much about it; while a wild redfoot might scavence a dead animal carcass, they are by no means predators or carnivores, and do...
Mazuri tortoise chow is fine as a base diet, I've used it on red-foots and elongateds successfully. But agree that getting the tortoise to eat a variety of greens and chopped fruits/veggies is ideal. The idea of mixing the Mazuri with the other foods is good, even grinding it to a powder is...