General question 'beginner' need advice!

[James aldridge]

Hello thanks for taking the time!

Does he look healthy?
How old do you think he is?
Do you think he's male or female?
The basking spot is 100 and cool side is 70F and hygrometer is 55 is this ok?
I've been feeding ( kale, watercress, Spring greens, parsley, carrots rocket, mixed leaves) also kodomo pellets he seems to ignore or only nibble on the other food should I take the pellets out?
What other things to feed him?
Is his substrate ok?
He sleeps a lot? Is this normal?
Also he makes a very quiet tic noise?

Thank you so much for any advice you can give me xxx

 

[JoesMum]

Some essential reading for you that will give you detailed answers to the questions you ask

Beginner mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Hermann's care Guide
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

Hello thanks for taking the time!

How old do you think he is?

No idea. they all grow at different rates. You can only be certain if you have a hatch date.

Do you think he's male or female?

Too small to tell

Ive been feeding ( kale, watercress, Spring greens, parsley, carrots rocket, mixed leaves) also kodomo pelletes he seems to ignore or only nibble on the other food should I take the pellets out?
What other things to feed him?

His diet should be leafy greens. Ideally broadleaf weeds. I'll post a list of ideas separately.
He can't digest sugars properly, so fruit, tomato, bell pepper and carrot should only be fed very sparingly and very occasionally.
Your reptile food bowls are not suitable for tortoises. They're a tipping hazard and torts find them very difficult to drink from. Use a piece of flat slate or rock for food - eating off it helps to keep the beak from overgrowing. Use a terracotta plant saucer for water.

Is his substrate ok?

No. It's far to dry. You need orchid bark or coco coir
Your enclosure is too small - minimum size is be 4' x 8'.

He sleeps a lot? Is this normal?

Usually an indication that the temperatures are not what you think they are. How do you measure them? A temperature gun thermometer is the most accurate way to measure these.
What bulb(s) are you using for basking and UVB?
Your basking lamp must point straight down vertically,you have it at an angle, for the basking spot to be effective. Your tort has to bask to be active and to digest food.
What temperature do you have minimum at night?

Also he makes a very quiet tic noise?

Not uncommon. As long as he's eating, active and there' no sign of nasal discharge then it's usually fine

 

[JoesMum]

Suitable greens. Look them up on The Tortoise Table Plant Database if you don't know what they look like http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/plant_database_14.asp

That website is also useful for checking store bought greens for suitability

Mulberry leaves
Grape vine leaves
Hibiscus leaves
African hibiscus leaves
Blue hibiscus leaves
Rose of Sharon leaves
Rose leaves
Geraniums
Gazanias
Lavatera
Pansies
Petunias
Hostas
Honeysuckle
Cape honeysuckle
Leaves and blooms from any squash plant, like pumpkin, cucumber, summer squash, etc...
Young spineless opuntia cactus pads

Weeds:
There are soooooooo many...
Dandelion
Mallow
Filaree
Smooth Sow thistle
Prickly Sow thistle
Milk thistle
Goat head weed
Cats ear
Nettles
Trefoil
Wild onion
Wild mustard
Wild Garlic
Clovers
Broadleaf plantain
Narrow leaf plantain
Chick weed
Hawksbit
Hensbit
Hawksbeard

 

[Tom]

This one might help too:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Your enclosure is a good one, but those bowls need to be replaced. They are a flipping hazard.

What are you using for heating and lighting? UV? What type?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

Your new baby Russian tortoise (Agrionemys horsefieldii) is still too young to know the sex. It looks female right now, but that could change as it grows.

In my opinion, the substrate should be changed to something you can moisten. The baby looks awfully dry, and it would help if he had something moist to burrow down into. I like fir bark. I'm guessing (because you said you feed 'rocket') that you're in the UK? Here in the States we can buy a product for growing orchids in, referred to as "orchid bark" - different brand names. It is clean fir bark. Another good product would be coco coir. It comes in a compressed brick that you soak in water to get it hydrated and falling apart.

 

[Gillian M]

A cute little tort! GOD bless.

Please give your tort daily soaks to avoid pyramiding as well as dehydration.

And a very warm welcome to the forum!