Ya, My Leopard, Seymour gets cuts on his legs occasionally from the crease/separation between two scutes on the edge, I just file em down a lil bit and put a dab of ointment on the cut.
Setting up for a Russian Tortoise - Constructive comments welcome
- Thread starter David Steere
- Start date
David Steere
Well-Known Member
@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 @Myrna the RES @er9m @zolasmum @Sarah2020
Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.
January 2026
Monthly Checking: Sandy lost 13 grams and grew 0 inch this month!
Age: 28 months old
Weight: 527 grams
Length: 6 inches +/-
Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.
January 2026
Monthly Checking: Sandy lost 13 grams and grew 0 inch this month!
Age: 28 months old
Weight: 527 grams
Length: 6 inches +/-
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- Nov 17, 2013
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- 5,077
I'm not on the list, but the tortoise looks fine to me. Keep up the good work!
David, all looks good. Weight loss is normal and expected this time of year. Your tortoise should really be brumating right now. You don't ever "have" to brumate Sandy, but it is best for the tortoise and I believe it keeps them healthier in the long run. I brumate all of my species that would brumate in the wild, every year. Something to consider for next year...
David Steere
Well-Known Member
@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 @Myrna the RES @er9m @zolasmum @Sarah2020
Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.
February 2026
Monthly Checking: Sandy gained 22 grams and grew 0 inch this month!
Age: 29 months old
Weight: 549 grams
Length: 6 inches +/-
Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.
February 2026
Monthly Checking: Sandy gained 22 grams and grew 0 inch this month!
Age: 29 months old
Weight: 549 grams
Length: 6 inches +/-
Looks good! Are you sure the scales are right it took me for ever to get speedy over 500g and nearly 8 years on he bounces around 520 to 550g. Nice growth on the shell and like my tort the pigment may remain in patches. Did you brumate this winter?
Sandy's adorable. And an inch or so longer than my little Sapphire already. 
He's a little 5x5. Sapphire's around maybe 24 or so years old. I got him when he was around 4 to 5 years. It'll be interesting to see how Sandy keeps growing.
He's a little 5x5. Sapphire's around maybe 24 or so years old. I got him when he was around 4 to 5 years. It'll be interesting to see how Sandy keeps growing.David Steere
Well-Known Member
Pretty sure the scale is accurate.
Sandra feels really heavy for his size when I pick him up. Not a single day goes by when I do not soak him really good in warm water and his dish is not full of food. His pen is always clean. He does all his business when I soak him for 30 or 45 minutes.
Noticed he does sleep a lot more in winter and is not as active.
Sandy is a replacement for my wife who pasted away before I got him. I enjoy spending an hour each morning and talk to him and watch him all day.
I do not have the heart to put him in the frig. He means more to me than myself so I hope I am not being cruel. I am very selfish. I need him to be there when I wake up. Just like my wife was.
David Steere
Well-Known Member
Not sure why he is so large.Sandy's adorable. And an inch or so longer than my little Sapphire already.
Not sure if it just suppose to happen or if I have something to do with him growing so big.
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Our little Zola (a Hermanns tortoise) has never been hibernated, and he is very healthy and happy - I do understand why you don't want to hibernate Sandy - we are the same - we couldn't bear to be without Zola
even for a short time -unless there was a medical reason for it - Zola is our family, and a major part of our lives. I don't think you are being cruel or selfish - Sandy is obviously flourishing in your care, after all.
All best wishes to you and Sandy from Angie x
I second what Angie said . . . most my kids do not brumate, with the exception of PeeWee My Sulcata. He is in a pen with my chickens, and can be in a corner for a month at a time. The weather has warmed up a bit and I actually saw him up and out, sunning himself the last few Days. But my Leopard, Russian, Redfoot and Boxies are all moving around during the day.
The Leopard and Redfoot were My partners, who passed a year ago last Thanks giving...when I see them . . . I think of her....
Sorry for your loss and lovely that your looking after the tort. Enjoy the pleasure they give you.
No most are bigger than my little guy. He's a wild caught at around the age of 4 or 5 maybe. 6" is a nice size. I've read they can grow to 8". You have the ability to help your little one to grow better since you've had him since a baby.
Also I don't completely brumate Sapphire but I do let him slow down in the winter or not. I leave it up to him unless he sleeps to long. He wasn't healthy when I got him and I don't feel comfortable doing it. I've read both opinions for a Russian which is one of the reasons I chose a Russian in the first place. Some say you don't have to some say it's good for them but it's not imperative. So don't feel like you have to. At least until you completely understand the process and then only if you want to.
David Steere
Well-Known Member
Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.
March 2026
Monthly Checking: Sandy lost 12 grams and grew 0 inch this month!
Age: 30 months old
Weight: 537 grams
Length: 6 inches +/-
March 2026
Monthly Checking: Sandy lost 12 grams and grew 0 inch this month!
Age: 30 months old
Weight: 537 grams
Length: 6 inches +/-
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2013
- Messages
- 5,077
Sandy looks fine to me.
David Steere
Well-Known Member
Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.
April 2026
Monthly Checking: Sandy lost 12 grams and grew 0 inch this month!
Age: 31 months old
Weight: 526 grams
Length: 6 inches +/-
April 2026
Monthly Checking: Sandy lost 12 grams and grew 0 inch this month!
Age: 31 months old
Weight: 526 grams
Length: 6 inches +/-
David Steere
Well-Known Member
Please let me know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.
May 2026
Monthly Checking: Sandy gained 32 grams and grew 0 inch this month!
Age: 32 months old
Weight: 558 grams
Length: 6 inches +/-
May 2026
Monthly Checking: Sandy gained 32 grams and grew 0 inch this month!
Age: 32 months old
Weight: 558 grams
Length: 6 inches +/-
He's looking great! And it seems he's in the growing phase again 
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2013
- Messages
- 5,077
I agree. A spring/summer growth spurt is most likely starting now. The tortoise looks quite healthy and happy.He's looking great! And it seems he's in the growing phase again
