Gender, Age, Overall Health?

[Ts94]

Hello! I just adopted a Russian Tortoise off of FB yesterday who was in need of a new home. The person who I adopted her from says she is a 4 year old female that was captive bred. I have been doing some research and wonder if others agree with with her age and gender? Any input would be great! Thanks!

 

[Ts94]

First time owner, any advice appreciated.

 

[MichaelL]

That is a wild caught female that's probably around 10-20 years old.

 

[Ts94]

That is a wild caught female that's probably around 10-20 years old.

Wow, I’m shocked to hear that! How are you able to tell?

 

[MichaelL]

Wow, I’m shocked to hear that! How are you able to tell?

First off, you can tell by the shell that it's wild caught because it is roughed up a little and as you see more and more russian tortoises you begin to be able to just tell apart a wild caught vs a captive shell lol. Captive ones just look different ? hopefully someone can explain that better lol. And you can tell it is a girl because of the shorter tail. You can estimate the age because at that size they are usually around 10-20 years old- not full grown but almost. If you count the lines on one of the scutes it probably is around 10-20 lines. This isn't a very accurate way to tell age, because even though they usually grow one growth line per year, some years they can grow more. So it gives you just a rough estimate.

 

[Toddrickfl1]

Female - Yes
Captive bred - No

 

[Ts94]

First off, you can tell by the shell that it's wild caught because it is roughed up a little and as you see more and more russian tortoises you begin to be able to just tell apart a wild caught vs a captive shell lol. Captive ones just look different ? hopefully someone can explain that better lol. And you can tell it is a girl because of the shorter tail. You can estimate the age because at that size they are usually around 10-20 years old- not full grown but almost. If you count the lines on one of the scutes it probably is around 10-20 lines. This isn't a very accurate way to tell age, because even though they usually grow one growth line per year, some years they can grow more. So it gives you just a rough estimate.

Thanks for your reply and the info! I learned so much from your explanation!

Being that I just got her yesterday and haven't had the chance to take her to the vet yet, does she appear healthy from what you can see in the pictures I originally posted? She hasn't eaten since I have gotten her and isn't very active. I have offered her a mix of dark green lettuces, kale, chard, radicchio, and spinach. I am not sure what she was being fed with the person I rescued her from. I soaked her in a warm water bath 2 times now and she has access to a heated portion of her enclosure as well as a cooler side. She seems to mostly go into her shelter and bury herself under the substrate all day. When I take her out, she goes right back to same position. Is this normal behavior?

 

[Toddrickfl1]

Thanks for your reply and the info! I learned so much from your explanation!

Being that I just got her yesterday and haven't had the chance to take her to the vet yet, does she appear healthy from what you can see in the pictures I originally posted? She hasn't eaten since I have gotten her and isn't very active. I have offered her a mix of dark green lettuces, kale, chard, radicchio, and spinach. I am not sure what she was being fed with the person I rescued her from. I soaked her in a warm water bath 2 times now and she has access to a heated portion of her enclosure as well as a cooler side. She seems to mostly go into her shelter and bury herself under the substrate all day. When I take her out, she goes right back to same position. Is this normal behavior?

Yes, normal behavior. Torts don't like change. It'll most likely take a few weeks before your new girl will settle in and develop a routine. If the tort is eating and going to the bathroom, no need for a VET visit.

 

[MichaelL]

Thanks for your reply and the info! I learned so much from your explanation!

Being that I just got her yesterday and haven't had the chance to take her to the vet yet, does she appear healthy from what you can see in the pictures I originally posted? She hasn't eaten since I have gotten her and isn't very active. I have offered her a mix of dark green lettuces, kale, chard, radicchio, and spinach. I am not sure what she was being fed with the person I rescued her from. I soaked her in a warm water bath 2 times now and she has access to a heated portion of her enclosure as well as a cooler side. She seems to mostly go into her shelter and bury herself under the substrate all day. When I take her out, she goes right back to same position. Is this normal behavior?

What Toddrick said