Frozen vegetables???

[Anastasia 22]

I stopped by Petco today and surprisingly they have a Russian tortoise for sale. I noticed that the dish is filled with frozen vegetables. Is it a good idea to feed the tortoise like that? I also noticed that the baby's legs are really really thin.
Well...my first thought was to rescue that baby from the store and feed him/her a good food.

 

[jaizei]

are you sure they were frozen? The greens don't look like they've been frozen. idk about the broccoli. Most of it looks like Rep-cal tortoise pellets.

 

[wellington]

Frozen veggies isn't the best diet for a Russian that eats broad leafy weeds. If that's not the only thing they feed, once in a while wouldn't hurt but they could do better, but then again pet stores need to do better all the way around.

 

[wellington]

There is way too much calcium powder on the food which will likely make him not eat.

 

[Anastasia 22]

are you sure they were frozen? The greens don't look like they've been frozen. idk about the broccoli. Most of it looks like Rep-cal tortoise pellets.

Yeah. It's from the plastic bag.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Looks questionable, so much powder
Not surprising from a chain pet store though unfortunately

 

[Anastasia 22]

Frozen veggies isn't the best diet for a Russian that eats broad leafy weeds. If that's not the only thing they feed, once in a while wouldn't hurt but they could do better, but then again pet stores need to do better all the way around.

What about his legs? Is it because of poor diet or lack of movements? Will he be better in a better environment?

 

[wellington]

What about his legs? Is it because of poor diet or lack of movements? Will he be better in a better environment?

To hard for me to see his legs. They will always be better in a proper better environment.
Just be sure you know, he is years old, likely wild caught and needs a minimum of a 4x8 foot enclosure and to be a single tortoise, no living in a pair.

 

[Anastasia 22]

To hard for me to see his legs. They will always be better in a proper better environment.
Just be sure you know, he is years old, likely wild caught and needs a minimum of a 4x8 foot enclosure and to be a single tortoise, no living in a pair.

I learned that from this forum! Russians don't like friends
I just built an extra outside enclosure for my boy. Since my spoiled guy is not excited about it then I can use it for the new "baby"....

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

What about his legs? Is it because of poor diet or lack of movements? Will he be better in a better environment?

Could be a mix of both those reasons or something else likely he’s not receiving the best care right now, if he’s not been there long then it could be due to previous improper care, but yeah it’s hard to know if hes actually underweight from the pic as he’s not really in shot, bless his little heart though

 

[Anastasia 22]

Could be a mix of both those reasons or something else likely he’s not receiving the best care right now, if he’s not been there long then it could be due to previous improper care, but yeah it’s hard to know if hes actually underweight from the pic as he’s not really in shot, bless his little heart though

Underweight! That's what it is!!!! His head is too small also. Well... I will take him to make his life happier.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I wouldn't assume that PETCO ever fed any of their animals anything that was appropriate.

Thawed frozen food is OK for emergencies.

 

[RosemaryDW]

Thawed frozen food is OK for emergencies.

Agreed.

 

[RosemaryDW]

I wouldn't assume that PETCO ever fed any of their animals anything that was appropriate.

Agreed.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Underweight! That's what it is!!!! His head is too small also. Well... I will take him to make his life happier.

Keep us in the loop with him!

 

[Anastasia 22]

Keep us in the loop with him!

His shell is cracked also.... Poor baby. I didn't notice it the first time....I am taking him to the vet on Monday.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

His shell is cracked also.... Poor baby. I didn't notice it the first time....I am taking him to the vet on Monday.

Poor thing omg

 

[TammyJ]

Keep him quarantined. I hope you know a good tortoise vet who is experienced with them and can properly advise and prescribe for him. Please keep us updated! Good luck.

 

[Anastasia 22]

Could be a mix of both those reasons or something else likely he’s not receiving the best care right now, if he’s not been there long then it could be due to previous improper care, but yeah it’s hard to know if hes actually underweight from the pic as he’s not really in shot, bless his little heart though

He (or maybe she) is dragging her body
Do you think exercises will help to build up muscle?

 

[Anastasia 22]

Keep him quarantined. I hope you know a good tortoise vet who is experienced with them and can properly advise and prescribe for him. Please keep us updated! Good luck.

Thank you!