Hello from Cheeseburger!

[Cheeseburger]

Hello - Kara and Kenn here from Arkansas. We just purchased our new Russian Tortoise yesterday! His name is Cheeseburger.

We have a decent set up for Cheeseburger in a large tank with a cave, food and water dishes, UVB and a heat lamp for now. The ultimate goal is to build him an outdoor enclosure once we move.

The pet store where Cheeseburger was purchased said that they moisturized and waxed his shell every few days. I cannot find any information on this online. Does anyone have any insight - good or bad, do it or don't do it, or what to use?

Thanks!

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome , "soaking" in warm water will help keep Cheeseburger hydrated . Don't know about "waxing" should I say it ? Maybe you could use Turtle wax ?

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello Kara and Kenn

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome!

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Welcome. This is a great place for all the info you may need. May exsperienced people to help.

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

Check these out:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

No need to put anything on the shell. They were probably using a product called "VitaShell". Its not necessary, but as best we can tell, its not harmful either.

 

[Cheeseburger]

Hello and welcome.

Check these out:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

No need to put anything on the shell. They were probably using a product called "VitaShell". Its not necessary, but as best we can tell, its not harmful either.

Thanks, Tom! I will look into this. Cheeseburger's shell is very nice looking and I want to do our best to keep it that way!

 

[Tom]

Thanks, Tom! I will look into this. Cheeseburger's shell is very nice looking and I want to do our best to keep it that way!

I have a female South African Leopard tortoise that I named Hamburger due to shell shape.

Just thought you might find that amusing...

 

[Cheeseburger]

I have a female South African Leopard tortoise that I named Hamburger due to shell shape.

Just thought you might find that amusing...

Oh that's too funny! We dubbed our tort Cheeseburger since you hold them like a... well cheeseburger. It just stuck and now we love it!

 

[HappyHermanns]

Oh that's too funny! We dubbed our tort Cheeseburger since you hold them like a... well cheeseburger. It just stuck and now we love it!

Welcome!!
That is a very cute name for him!

I read that tortoises don't like when all of their feet aren't touching the ground.. Which makes sense, I guess, since they can't fly.. lol
Anyway.. Cheeseburger might like to know gravity hasn't forsaken him..If your carrying him around
Of course, I have hatchlings and they are easy to keep a hand under.. your guy is bigger, so maybe that doesn't apply so much..lol

 

[Jodie]

Hello, and welcome to the forum.

 

[Cheeseburger]

Welcome!!
That is a very cute name for him!

I read that tortoises don't like when all of their feet aren't touching the ground.. Which makes sense, I guess, since they can't fly.. lol
Anyway.. Cheeseburger might like to know gravity hasn't forsaken him..If your carrying him around
Of course, I have hatchlings and they are easy to keep a hand under.. your guy is bigger, so maybe that doesn't apply so much..lol

Good to know! We don't carry him around too much, but do you suggest another way to carry him? Since you can't really "cuddle" them lol.

Thanks!

 

[HappyHermanns]

Good to know! We don't carry him around too much, but do you suggest another way to carry him? Since you can't really "cuddle" them lol.

Thanks!

We have a few years before we have to figure that part out.. lol.. our guys are pretty small. lol
I DID see a Handi-capable Tort on Lego wheels, that just cracked me up! haha
How big is he? he looks pretty big but pictures can be so deceiving..

On a side note, I didn't think they cuddled either but I have a funny store in the Hermann's tab under species that you might like and I think it proves that there ARE indeed mama Torts.. (like a mama's boy but with less whining.. lol!!).

 

[Cheeseburger]

Yes, I LOVED the picture of the tortoises with Lego wheels!

I'll try to actually measures Cheeseburger tonight. We've been trying to figure out (roughly) how old he is. We are guestimating about 2-3 years.

And I will definitely find your story about a mama's tort! We have two Westies as well, so we haven't let Cheeseburger roam or get near the dogs just yet.

 

[HappyHermanns]

Yes, I LOVED the picture of the tortoises with Lego wheels!

I'll try to actually measures Cheeseburger tonight. We've been trying to figure out (roughly) how old he is. We are guestimating about 2-3 years.

And I will definitely find your story about a mama's tort! We have two Westies as well, so we haven't let Cheeseburger roam or get near the dogs just yet.

lol.. I even seen a pic of 2 little Torts on skate boards.. I really want to get a few of those now and try it out- Skater Torts..!! hahaha

Good luck measuring! I hope that gives you an idea on age.. I know they each grow differently (like kids, everyone has their own pace) so it can be pretty tough to figure that out.
Maybe if you can see how big he will eventually get, that would help? Ours max out at 6-8" generally, I guess..

Thanks! It's a silly story, but I feel like a new mom telling everyone about my babies. haha
(My mama's boy) Oggi really interacts with us so it's so much cooler! lol

 

[HappyHermanns]

Yes, I LOVED the picture of the tortoises with Lego wheels!

I'll try to actually measures Cheeseburger tonight. We've been trying to figure out (roughly) how old he is. We are guestimating about 2-3 years.

And I will definitely find your story about a mama's tort! We have two Westies as well, so we haven't let Cheeseburger roam or get near the dogs just yet.

Oh.. I guess I named that thread; Funny story about our outgoing Tort.. I think mama's tort sounds better but oh well. haha