Hi guys! Recently I have gained the ability to help out and improve the life of a Russian Tortoise I have already been posting about her on a different thread however I decided that her journey should have its own space I can post updates. To sum up what I posted on the other thread the tortoise isn't mine but is a class pet, I am able to visit her during the day and have been giving her daily soaks, we trimmed her nails as they were well overgrown, and now we are working on trust in order to get her to stick her head out long enough for me to get access to her beak which is very overgrown. She ate out of my hand today so that gives me hope that she will eventually and hopefully soon trust me enough to trim her beak.
Healing Journey
- Thread starter Z&C
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- russain tortoise
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Could you post a side profile picture of her? To me it looks like there might be a slight depression in the shell.
Be careful re hand feeding for transition of disease and a mistaken bite! Please add a cuttlebone into the enclosure once the beak is shorter it will enjoy eating it to get calcium for strong beak, shell, claws and bones. The beak is very long poor thing.
I added two to her enclosure already. I'll be sure to watch out for bites and we always wash our hands right after handling her. Her beak is extremely long so I'm hoping hand feeding her will make her more comfortable with our hands right infront of her face so she'll put her head out long enough for me to get access to it. Thanks for the tips
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The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
I think there might be some MBD (metabolic bone disease), let's see what @wellington @zovick and @Yvonne G think.
I just did a quick read up on MBD to look at the causes and it's seems very likely. Her enclosure right now is awful and I am currently planning the build for a new one that is the appropriate size, new substrate, better UV and heat lamps. I am also working on improving her diet, I just got a new bag ov Mazuri pellets for my tortoises that I own so I'll introduce them to her aswell next week, and probably add some calcium powder to the mix of food I bring in for her.
It's possible but I don't really see a big concern for MBD.
A beak trim and better digs and diet will improve a lot.
A beak trim and better digs and diet will improve a lot.
What would you recommend for digs? Just deeper substrate or is there something I can set up for her?
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The tortoise does appear to have a slight depression in its backbone, so it probably does have MBD to some degree. I have seen much worse looking depressed backbones in other tortoises, however, so I would classify this as a rather mild case.
Big enclosure. A minimum size for an adult Russian is 4x8. Go bigger if you can and have an outdoor area for the warm months. If MBD is present, I wouldn't do too deep a substrate as it could make it harder to walk. You could have one end be deeper for digging into.
I was out on Friday so we're back starting Monday off strong with a daily soak, she's already starting to show a bit of trust in me and was up and awake when I came in at the normal time to soak her today. She does appear to have some stuck shed under her front legs, I'm hoping the daily soak will help with.
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Today's bath felt like good progress, she used the bathroom in the bath which to me shows that she's getting enough water for her body to have extra that's needs disposing of, last Thursday I gave her mazuri pellets and she ate most of them. I am currently working on her new enclosure and due to material constraints, and space constraints it's much smaller than I'd like 
unfortunately it is a little bigger than 4 feet by 3 feet. I will restate that i do not own her and she is not living with me, she is a class pet so I can only do so much at the present moment. I know the new enclosure is not as big as it should be but it is better than her current enclosure and the absolute best I can do at the moment. I plan to use a mix of coco coir and orchid bark for the substrate in the new enclosure, is that a good mix? And how deep should the substrate be for her species?
unfortunately it is a little bigger than 4 feet by 3 feet. I will restate that i do not own her and she is not living with me, she is a class pet so I can only do so much at the present moment. I know the new enclosure is not as big as it should be but it is better than her current enclosure and the absolute best I can do at the moment. I plan to use a mix of coco coir and orchid bark for the substrate in the new enclosure, is that a good mix? And how deep should the substrate be for her species?
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You are doing your absolute best and trying very hard to help this tortoise. No one could possibly ask or expect more of you. Keep up the good work!Today's bath felt like good progress, she used the bathroom in the bath which to me shows that she's getting enough water for her body to have extra that's needs disposing of, last Thursday I gave her mazuri pellets and she ate most of them. I am currently working on her new enclosure and due to material constraints, and space constraints it's much smaller than I'd like
Substrate sounds good and I would use about 4" to 6" personally.
Megatron's Mom
Well-Known Member
Since space is limited you can look into making her a two story enclosure. Check out the forum for ideas.
Unfortunately i don't think that is possible either, I did actually look into that however I have 2 weeks to start and finish the enclosure.
Megatron's Mom
Well-Known Member
Bummer. Maybe you can plan it as an addition for later.
I will be graduating in a bit over 2 weeks, so I can plan to add it as an addition when I go and build new enclosures for my two tortoises however to implement it will take some time, but anything bigger than what she has right now will hopefully be good. I have someone hopefully lined up to continue soaking her and checking in on her next school year.
Is there anything else you would add to the substrate? As I'm struggling to find a large amount of the two main ingredients without breaking the bank, I've heard play sand can be good from some people, and from others I've heard it can be dangerous. Any suggestions?
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
The third safe substrate is cypress mulch. Coco coir is cheaper when bought in compressed bricks meant for plants.
