Tips on Russian tortoises

Hello my name is Rachel! I have a Russian tortoise who is about 9 years old. I got him at a very young age and now that I am an adult I’ve done lots and lots of research on russian tortoises. I of course want to make sure I’m doing anything I can for my baby! He is my world, so if anyone has tips or recommendations that would be wonderful! I currently have him in a children’s play pen with his special coconut infused dirt spread through out and a big walk in water dish and his food bowls of course. I have his little hide out i even made him. with his heat lamp too.

Welcome to the forum! We need some pictures

Be sure to give these a read, and keep in mind that this tortoise requires a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet.
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Hi Rachel

Welcome. I’d love to see pictures.

Hello and welcome.

this is his tank! A little dirty, he’s a messy eater

this is my little guy!

rachelmason said:

this is my little guy!

Click to expand...

He is adorable!!!!

Alright, there is definitely some stuff that needs to be changed.

- red lights should not be used for any reptile. The tortoise can see both the color and the light, and along with keeping them up at night, can cause them to eat their substrate. You should be using a flood bulb during the day, and unless your night temps are below 60, you don’t need night heat.

-this tortoise needs 4-6 inches of substrate.

-those damp bowls are not suitable for tortoises, and are huge flipping hazards. You should be using a terra cotta saucer for both food and water.

-like I said in my above comment, this tortoise requires a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet.

- those do not appear to be high quality pellets. If you want to use pellets I would recommend mazuri or zoo med’s grass land tortoise food, but this tortoise should be getting mostly a variety of weeds.

Please be sure to read the links I left above if you haven’t already

Hello and welcome! I just wanted to add that your tort is very good looking but is developing an overgrown beak. In a natural setting their beaks get ground down by pulling and ripping tough desert plants but in captivity we either have to trim them with tools or feed them on a rough surface like a stone or rough tile. You might want to look into having an exotics vet trim it, or get a rough stone and hope it starts filing it down.
Trimming it yourself is an option if you are ready for a challenge. If so I can walk you through it. Not that difficult but there are things you'd need to know.

Glad you are looking for updated information on caring for your tort. Keepers have learned a lot over the years and you are smart to keep up with that!

Hello and welcome. This is a wonderful forum with very good information.

TriciaStringer said:

He is adorable!!!!

Click to expand...

Thank you!!

LaLaP said:

Hello and welcome! I just wanted to add that your tort is very good looking but is developing an overgrown beak. In a natural setting their beaks get ground down by pulling and ripping tough desert plants but in captivity we either have to trim them with tools or feed them on a rough surface like a stone or rough tile. You might want to look into having an exotics vet trim it, or get a rough stone and hope it starts filing it down.
Trimming it yourself is an option if you are ready for a challenge. If so I can walk you through it. Not that difficult but there are things you'd need to know.

Glad you are looking for updated information on caring for your tort. Keepers have learned a lot over the years and you are smart to keep up with that!

Click to expand...

I have a calcium block for trimming his beak but he doesn’t bother with it! If you could explain how to do it myself that would be wonderful! Maybe I will start putting his food on a slate as well

rachelmason said:

I have a calcium block for trimming his beak but he doesn’t bother with it! If you could explain how to do it myself that would be wonderful! Maybe I will start putting his food on a slate as well

Click to expand...

So tortoise beaks are a bit like dogs nails in that if you cut too much they will bleed so just don't over do it.
So get a good quality pair of cuticle trimmers. I have someone help me by holding the tortoise. You can try to tightly wrap his body in a towel to keep his arms from fighting you. You'll need to gently but firmly grasp his head on either side behind his jaw to steady his head. Use the clippers to clip a bit off his beak. Don't try to trim a straight line across just use the trimmers to clip a little bit completely off in one snip. This chipping away at the beak will ensure that it doesn't crack. Just keep chipping away until it looks even and as short as possible with his mouth closed.
Some people cut off more by propping the tortoises mouth open but I haven't done that and I think if you get it short with his mouth closed you can have him wear the rest down by feeding on a stone or tile.
If it looks rough or sharp you can use an emery board to smooth it but remember that friction causes heat so do a little at a time so it doesn't get too hot.
If your having trouble getting his head to come out tilt his head toward the ground and it will come out.
Good luck!!