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MollyNMM

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Just introducing myself.. brand new to this forum. Hi everyone! I have a russian tort that we've had a few years now.. and are in the process of building her an outdoor pen/moving her to the outside. Found this site when doing my homework for this transition and have really enjoyed reading everyone's feedback. Looking forward to participating!
 

Tom

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Welcome. Lots of good, experienced Russian keepers here.
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Molly:

37246yrunbmn3g8.gif
to the forum!
 

Stephanie Logan

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Welcome to the forum, Mollie. :D

What made you decide on a tortoise for a pet? How do you like keeping Russians? There are lots of Russian keepers on this forum--they seem to be one of the most personable, relatively low-maintenance species. ;)

Please post some photos so we can admire your baby: http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-5245.html
 

MollyNMM

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oh my gosh!! to say I'm a "newbie" is an understatement!! I've spent countless hours here the last couple of days.. but didn't think to go back to my into to see if anyone replied. ~ sorry!

Thanks so much everyone for your warm and exciting welcomes. I've posted a few questions.. but tomorrow I will post pics of my in-progress projects and my baby... and would love your feedback anytime!!
 

MollyNMM

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Hi all again ~

As promised, here is a little more about us..

After having done some homework, we got our tort several years ago (from a pet store - ugh! now I know better). This was to be my son's pet - but as most of us moms out there know.. I've done all of the caretaking, gladly :) We selected a Russian (at least what we were told) due to its sturdy and personable nature. I'll admit to not knowing nearly what I do now at that time. :shy: Here he is!

View attachment 4386

So - he has always been indoor ~ and has been great! Amazing personality.. We've made sure he has had everything he needs/requires and then some but we've recently decided it would be much better for our dear tort family member to be moved outdoors. We live in the Silicon Valley, CA - and have been informed that the weather should serve him just fine - year round. So, we began digging a BIG'OL hole to escape proof his area. We've drawn up plans for the enclosure to be made of brick and lumber. This part has not been fun ~

View attachment 4387

And we've started building a hide...

View attachment 4388

And we've started transitioning him to the outside by bringing him out more often on great weather days - in preparation of a full time move. He's always had "outside" time but this has become now daily and longer for sure.

So ~ since finding this site... I've learned that (even though we were told he was a she) ("Molly" is/was actually her name...) thanks to all of the past questions/answers and pics - that he is in fact a he. <trying to think of a new name.....>

We're also contimplating since we're in the middle of all of this big construction.. maybe he needs a gal pal or two sometime in the future here.. who wouldn't like that?!? so building things accordingly.

Where I am today you ask... I'm even more in love than ever.. likely building him a home that will out-do my own, and seriously 95% sure we'll expand our tort family in the coming months! I can't wait until his house is done, my muscles no longer ache, and he's in his new home.

So there you have it! A bit (or a bit more than a bit) about my tortoise "Molly" and our adventure together...

Heather
 
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Yvonne G

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Hi Heather:

From the picture, I'm thinking some sort of Greek tortoise, not a Russian. Can we see more of him?
 

Stephanie Logan

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Hmmm, so let's see...not "Molly"..."Maley"?...Muley?...Moley?...Meley?...Miley? No! Definitely not Miley, too overused. :rolleyes:

Maybe a whole different name? :p
 

MollyNMM

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Seriously?!?! Not a girl... not a russian....?????? Oh my goodness... talk about identity issues!! and Oh my gosh - what have I been doing wrong thinking I had something different.

Ok- I need to think about this <sigh>

RTM - I like some of your suggestions - :) I was trying to think of a boy/two girl combo names... any thoughts there?

Yvonne - What specifically should I photograph to give you a better feel??

Love him/her whatever it is!! but for goodness sakes. Does this group serve as a support group for bewildered moms as well??

Thanks for all of your help!

-Heather
 

Yvonne G

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Give us a straight down shot from overhead, then turn him over and give us a straight down shot of the underside.
 

Yvonne G

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Yup! Not a Russian. I'll send this thread's link to Danny, our resident I.D. expert.
 

MollyNMM

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Wow - thanks so much.. I'll look forward to hearing from the expert.

btw - what is it that tells you not a Russian?? They look so alike (to the less informed :)
 

Yvonne G

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Your tortoise is longer as opposed to round, and has a different, shiny pattern to his carapace.
 

egyptiandan

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You have a female Caspian Greek tortoise, Testudo graeca buxtoni :D

Danny
 

MollyNMM

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wow - ok - thanks for your help! Why female??.. (you can't see it in the pic I don't think) It looks like a long tail tucked against the back leg to me..
 
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