Franklin

[smarch]

Franklin


my brand new russian tortoise Franklin (uncreative name so if anyone has suggestions?)

also yes i do know putting him with my cat can be dangerous for him, but i do watch them very closely, and semore (the kitty) is generally very tolerent.

 

[drgnfly2265]

Very cute!

 

[l0velesly]

Cute!
Cats are definitely safer than dogs.

 

[chase thorn]

If he is brand new, maybe you should let him settle to his new enclosure for a couple days just putting that out there! cats are ok... My cat likse to sneak in and sleep with my torts!

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi smarch:

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

What would you like us to call you?

...and may we know appx. where in the world you are?

 

[smarch]

My new Russian tortoise! Got him from petco, he's a friendly little guy and very silly
And my kitty seems to be ok with him (as long as its not outside) and yes I completely supervise when they're together so no worries there

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

 

[ascott]

What a pretty little tort...and kitty

That is ALOT ALOT ALOT of sand in the enclosure, I am sorta freaking out....but I am not a big fan of sand in an indoor enclosure...did the pet store tell you that was the preferred substrate?

Another caution....in pic 1 and 4, I spotted the often elusive five toe...you must be special to have such an elusive creature in your presence.....

 

[smarch]

What a pretty little tort...and kitty

That is ALOT ALOT ALOT of sand in the enclosure, I am sorta freaking out....but I am not a big fan of sand in an indoor enclosure...did the pet store tell you that was the preferred substrate?

Another caution....in pic 1 and 4, I spotted the often elusive five toe...you must be special to have such an elusive creature in your presence.....

I'm not a big fan of the sand and neither is Franklin. I got it cuz I read it in a book and since he was a dessert tortoise it made the most sense, but he can't burrow in it even with 2 bags of it, my plan is to get some snake bedding and putting that in so he can burrow, then switching to a more mulchy sort of substrate, any suggestions?

 

[chase thorn]

One more suggestion! Instead of those petstore water dishes for food and water, I would consider some Homedepot or Lowes Clay pot water saucers. They are cheap, easy to clean, and safe and easy to get to for the tortoise! Great looking little one! Also, Cypress mulch or coco coir is probably the safest of the substrates. They are both great and won't harm the tortoise. Some have their own opinion on which is better.

 

[smarch]

One more suggestion! Instead of those petstore water dishes for food and water, I would consider some Homedepot or Lowes Clay pot water saucers. They are cheap, easy to clean, and safe and easy to get to for the tortoise! Great looking little one! Also, Cypress mulch or coco coir is probably the safest of the substrates. They are both great and won't harm the tortoise. Some have their own opinion on which is better.

Would you say to put the new substrate on top of the sand or just dump it and start over ... Because that was expensive sand being the calcium rich one and I do t want to just throw away all that money, but I also don't want to get him sick.

 

[smarch]

I also have another question, I dont think any of these pictures show it but the back of his shell is somewhat dented in, it's not soft or anything, but has anyone experienced that before? Is it ok for him? (I can try to get a picture if that helps)

 

[Talka]

I've heard snake bedding isn't good either. Not sure why. Coco coir and cypress mulch are good.

 

[smarch]

so i'm just reading the comments up top now, apperently since this was my first post and i wasnt activated when i first sent it and then it posted both.
and you can call me sarah, i live in western massachusetts.