russian tortoise

Hi all, I am new the world of exotic pets, but we have recently found ourselves the adopted parents of a 5(ish) year old Russian Tortoise named Dave. He is the cutest little guy and has such personality, we love him dearly! So from what I can tell he came from a less than ideal environment...

Hello all! Recently I found a Russian Tortoise that was abandoned alongside a boat launch in my home town in Central New York. I instantly fell in love with the little guy and scrambled to house him (Monty) properly. And thanks to the plethora of excellent advice I found on this formula, the...

Hi all, I lost my buddy Darwin (Russian/male) two days ago, 8/25, in my backyard around 1 pm. I take him out most days for some exercise and sunshine since I usually keep him inside (I live in Mass, which gets pretty cold during the winter months) I must've looked away for no more than a...

it looks better to me, but should i still be concerned? is there anything i can do to help it heal? should i try to find a vet to take a look? (the first photo is from two weeks ago, the second photo is from today) thank you!

Hey there. I recently got a Russian Tortoise from a co worker whose kids weren't paying her any attention anymore. My husband and I think the world of her. But today while giving her a soak I touched the bottom part of her shell and she appeared to "twitch".Her head and right leg moved in...

hi everyone! i was soaking Terry and i noticed this mark on his neck. it looks like a cut and i'm thinking maybe it happened while he was going into his shell? does anyone else think it looks like something else? and what should i do? i'm scared :(

Hello All, I hope everyone and their buddies are doing well :)! I'm a first time tortoise owner (decided on a russian tortoise) and I was wondering if I could get some feedback from experienced owners? I would greatly appreciate it! Below is my tortoise and set-up: I got my tortoise from...

Hi, My name is Lindsay, I am brand new to this forum! I discovered it because I am saving up to buy a baby Russian Tortoise, and needed to get an idea of what I was going to need to keep it as healthy and happy as possible! This forum is amazing, and thanks already for all the information you...

I noticed this morning, when I went to go feed my Russian tortoise, what appears to be diarrhea. I have had Humphrey for about 7 years now and never seen him have diarrhea. He is about 12 years old. Should I change his diet? I plan to clean out his enclosure this weekend. And will soak him...

My girlfriend and I just got our boy Iroh 4-5 days ago. I already made another post about him not adjusting well/not eating at all. We got help on that and we are soaking him in warm water daily and changed up his diet to a store bought spring mix and we are going to start collecting natural...

I might be moving to Charloettesville within the year. I know it's colder in Virginia than it is in Florida, and they actually have seasons, but what would I need to change? Is it less humid there? Is there anything I need to do (more feeding, misting, etc) different each season? Even though...

I recently adopted this adult male Russian Tortoise and I noticed that his eyes were looking bubbly and possibly swollen?? I've heard him sniffing a few times and rubbing at his head with his front legs. I attached some pictures of his eyes for reference. I use Zoo Med Forest Floor Bedding as...

Hello everyone, my name is April. I live in Portland, Oregon. I just purchased a baby/juvenile Russian tortoise yesterday. He’s my first turtle/tortoise. His name is Boris. Boris the Tortoise. He’s about 4 inches long and the pet store said he’s roughly 1.5-2 years old, so basically just a...

I know it is now spring but I need to plan ahead if I need to construct something indoors or out. Does anyone have experience with Russian tortoises and outdoor hibernation. I am wondering if they would naturally hibernate without any assistance from me. Their enclosure is large and well drained...

The romaine lettuce outbreak I think is still happening and I just realized we've been feeding my Russian Tortoise romaine lettuce. Can he get E-Coli? Should we be worried? Please help.

I've heard that Russian torts can climb gates, edges, etc.? (I'm new to turtle owning) Is climbing a natural thing? or are they just adventurous? is it a sign that they need a bigger enclosure? ( it doesn't have to be just Russians, just any turtle/tortoise in general :) )

My Russian tends to have varying periods of inactivity and sleeping all day to vigilantly patrolling and pacing his enclosure, without any noticeable difference in his environment. At the moment, he seems to spend 95% of his day occupying one-third of his enclosure, where he has a half-log hide...

I have a 4-year old male Russian Tortoise named Borgie. He is very healthy and active. I am starting to travel a lot with my husband and just don’t have much time. I love him and want him to go to a good home. I am asking $200.00 for him, which also includes the Tortoise Palace Enclosure, which...

I am considering a Russian tortoise and gathering ideas for an indoor enclosure. One idea is to resurrect the storage cube/coroplast structure that housed guinea pigs for several years. The base and 6" walls are made of a very easily cleaned single sheet of folded coroplast (with the back wall...

Recently received 2 Russian tortoise and have never owned a tortoise. I would like to let them live outdoors and wanted some input on what I have built so far. Any recommendations would be appreciated. It measures roughly 10ft x 15ft. Still working on the top of the wall and corners to deter...