Hi All, I've recently gotten the ability to help improve this tortoises life, I'm pretty sure it's a Russian, I started with soaking it today and was wondering if the lovely people here could help me identify weather this little guy is a male or female. (I started today and didn't want to stress him out too much by starting doing too much with him today, I will be doing another soak and start trimming his nails tmrw. TIA
Gender Identification
- Thread starter Z&C
- Start date
-
- Tags
- gender determination
Sure, like I said I wasn't entirely sure but that is what I was told, if it's a different species that will be super helpful to know for the research part of helping her
Attachments
Thank you so much, her beak seems definitely too long so I'll need to trim it, do you have any tips to trimming a beak? I plan to use a nail file to slowly file her beak down over many sessions as to not stress her out too much
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2013
- Messages
- 5,059
You can also do it with nail clippers, doing about 1/8" or so at a clip as you go around the edge of the beak from one side to the other. Trimming the beak requires a good bit of patience and may need to be done over a period of several days or even a couple of weeks.
Or you can take her to a vet and have the vet and the staff do it, possibly even by anesthetizing the tortoise.
Post a photo of the beak and I will give you my opinion of the best way to proceed.
Here's the best picture of the beak I can get of her for right now, I don't know if I will be able to get her to a vet due to lack of reptile vets in my area.
Attachments
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2013
- Messages
- 5,059
Yes, the ones used on humans. You could probably use the bigger size used for toenails on that beak for a start, then as it gets shorter, go to the fingernail size for the finer trimming. Some people use Dremels with a grinding wheel.
That beak needs a LOT taken off of the front. It should be only a hair longer than the part right under the eye. It could stand to have about three eighths an inch or so trimmed off. You will probably need to do that in stages to get it correctly shaped.
Where are you in NY? I lived in the NW corner of CT right on the CT NY border for 30 years. Very close to Millbrook and Poughkeepsie, NY. Also owned property in Copake and Pine Plains, NY. I do still know some vets up there in NY; depending upon where you are, I might be able to suggest one or know someone who can.
I'll try my hand at trimming a little off at a time with nail clippers to start, I'm in upstate NY. Other than clipping passed where it's supposed to sit which I would not do, I can tell where it's meant to be, can you cut to far at once? Like how you have to cut a dogs nails then wait a few days for the quick to retreat in order to cut more is the beak similar?
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2013
- Messages
- 5,059
Yes, the beak is like the nails on a dog. You need to do it gradually over time so you don't hit the bone under the beak, just like the quick in a nail. Just FYI, the tortoise nails are just like dog nails. You can see the quick in most nails and should cut just a bit short of hitting it. If you get a dark nail, just estimate where the quick would be from looking at the other nails and cut accordingly.
My daughter lives in Selkirk and my in-laws lived in Charlotteville. I have friends all over NY if you name your town, I might be able to find you a good vet recommendation.
Thank you for all the help, ill post an update photo tomorrow after I cut the nails and start on the beak. I live up near Syracuse.
Russian tortoises do seem to have long nails. It's normal for the species.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Female Russian tortoises tend to have shorter claws than males. Also, when housed correctly the nails tend to be somewhat dull. You might find photos of other Russians helpful when trimming, you don't need to cut much especially from the front legs.
Thank you for the info, I think the back legs are the worst as the nails currently cross over each other, her front nails aren't quite that bad yet, I was planning to just clip up just before the quick in did go and find some pictures on here of a Russians nails though I am unsure if that one is male or female, I figured if I get close enough it should be able to wear down on its own from there.
Welcome, embarking on a nail trim is not easy. Have a go but they wriggle and pull inside the shell.
I use dog clippers for claws, shone a light under to see the blood vein. Beak you can v your fingers on the neck to prevent retreat and see if you can manage. Personally I would get a local reptile shop or vet to help as this major and very much needed. Less is best !
I use dog clippers for claws, shone a light under to see the blood vein. Beak you can v your fingers on the neck to prevent retreat and see if you can manage. Personally I would get a local reptile shop or vet to help as this major and very much needed. Less is best !
Here was today's progress, I was unable to do her beak today as she doesnt yet trust me enough to even stick her head out while im working with her. I hope this will change during my daily visits. I probably should have mentioned this prior but it slipped my mind, she is not mine and is a class pet the teacher was given her years ago and didnt buy her so she wasnt an impulse buy or anything. I am currently working to provide her enrichment, a better diet, and a better enclosure before i graduate. If i am unable to do so before graduation then I will work over the summer to create a better home for her, I may even offer to take ownership of her myself if i aquire the ability to. I dont have much money or the facilities to take care of a 3rd tortoise right now however i plan to go to the store to atleast get her some new substrate. Thanks all for the help so far.
Once you have it under control: My tort is a Red Foot, so a bit different, but - I keep a couple paving stones that have the texture of sandstone (but aren't really) in my tort's enclosure. It helps wear the nails down. And I feed off of terracotta dishes which helps a bit also. It doesn't solve it completely, but helps.
Similar threads
