Help! Found a tortoise...

[Merlin M]

He looks male to me...
I would suggest top soil, they don't like it too wet really, I just keep my top soil damp.
Given he is male he will need more space, they are great climbers so maybe add a rock or two to climb on... it should do fine as is for a few days though but you will need to add heat, a 60W bulb should be fine in that space, long term he would need uv too...

 

[lynnedit]

I agree about the 60w bulb in that size enclosure.

He is probably just happy to get hydrated at this point.

Food wise, he might respond more to weeds plucked from your yard and surrounding area.

 

[Alan RF]

Selby,Nr York.North Yorkshire

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He looks male to me...
I would suggest top soil, they don't like it too wet really, I just keep my top soil damp.
Given he is male he will need more space, they are great climbers so maybe add a rock or two to climb on... it should do fine as is for a few days though but you will need to add heat, a 60W bulb should be fine in that space, long term he would need uv too...

Cheers for this. I'm just going to give it a few days as its red hot here and he'll certainly be getting natural light and heat ..::if not claimed then I'll buy him the full tortoise table,uv and heat stuff

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He's fast asleep after his traumatic day lets see what tomorrow brings!

 

[Alan RF]

All went well last night. Im concerned about his urine though!? I lifted him up just now but underneath was some white watery mucus ? Any advice?

 

[Levi the Leopard]

This male Russian just passed some urates (the white stuff) is all.

Heather
Sent from my Android TFO app

 

[RussTort]

I'm guessing this is a male who is around five years old.

I'd get a bulb that's atleast 100 watt. This is so that you can place it in a height that has no chance of burning the tortoise or anything that the tortoise may drag along. If that results in too much heat in the cold end you can try adding some form of a barrier.

 

[lynnedit]

All went well last night. Im concerned about his urine though!? I lifted him up just now but underneath was some white watery mucus ? Any advice?

Yes, just urates. He finally is getting some fluids and is able to expel them. That's a good thing!

 

[FLINTUS]

I have put up a found ad but we will see if we get any replies.

 

[Alan RF]

I have put up a found ad but we will see if we get any replies.

Cheers Flintus (Ben!) I've walked about in a radius of about a quarter of a mile asking if anyone owns a tortoise but got nowhere!

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I'm guessing this is a male who is around five years old.

I'd get a bulb that's atleast 100 watt. This is so that you can place it in a height that has no chance of burning the tortoise or anything that the tortoise may drag along. If that results in too much heat in the cold end you can try adding some form of a barrier.

Thanks for this!

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All went well last night. Im concerned about his urine though!? I lifted him up just now but underneath was some white watery mucus ? Any advice?

Yes, just urates. He finally is getting some fluids and is able to expel them. That's a good thing!

So glad to read this! He is becoming a real character and is settling into our tortoise routine well. I'm going to scan online and in local papers before I go and purchase anything!

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Okay if no one claims this lovely tortoise what type of housing would you suggest? A tortoise table or viv?

 

[RussTort]

Definitely a table. You can make a vivarium work but it is a lot of trouble and is probably more expensive than making a table. I'm making one at the moment, I'm using an old closet.

Please read this if you do decide to keep him. And please ask questions! This forum is full of knowing people who are eager to help!

 

[Alan RF]

Definitely a table. You can make a vivarium work but it is a lot of trouble and is probably more expensive than making a table. I'm making one at the moment, I'm using an old closet.

Please read this if you do decide to keep him. And please ask questions! This forum is full of knowing people who are eager to help!

A closet! Photos of your end product would be great to see! My husband is willing to make something! We are in the process of looking at outside pens for my RF and now this little one! Obviously separate ones!

 

[rocky1998]

He needs a basking light ... It needs to be between 100-105 degrees during the day and it needs a good UVB light to help the tortoise make vitaman d3 which is needed for calcium and it needs a good diet ... It looks like you got a male Russian tort


Sandy then Russian tort <3

 

[RussTort]

A closet! Photos of your end product would be great to see! My husband is willing to make something! We are in the process of looking at outside pens for my RF and now this little one! Obviously separate ones!

I will post some photos of the end product on the forum, just to get some second opinions and friendly tips.
Sounds like you have a great plan yourself! I wish I could add some tortoises and keep them outside but that isn't really an option for now... Maybe in a decade!

 

[lynnedit]

Furniture can be converted to a tortoise enclosure: entertainment center, bookcase, wardrobe, etc.
Or you can build your own.
It's great that you can set him up outside. You'll watch him thrive. Consider a cold frame in it to extend the season Spring and Autumn.

 

[Alan RF]

I'm still in a dilemma I'm not so bothered about creating a pen/outside environment as myRF needs it. Inside it sounds like a tortoise table but I'm worried to buy it now in case the owners just turn up!
The outside one will have to be big because he's like Usain Bolt !

 

[Merlin M]

Hmm that is a problem... you got an old book case or something you are not using as you could convert that cheap... then if the owners show up you haven't really spent much...

 

[Vickie]

I would say to use a storage tub or a concrete mixing tray. Both can be bought pretty cheaply and that way if the owner shows up you can use it other places. Then if the owner doesn't come forward you can always keep him and set up a more expensive enclosure if you wish.

 

[Alan RF]

He's in a plastic rectangle under the bed storage container on a night and out every opportunity as my children take him out in the garden they are both over 16 and responsible. At the minute his main light is natural hot sunshine! Yes in the UK we are getting hot weather! On a night I put a table lamp over his tub which he will sit for a little while then goes to sleep!
I'm thinking about heat and light now-what is recommended? I can clip a light onto the lamp but not sure about the heat. Does he need it at night because its warm on an evening? If I buy anything I want to be able to transfer it to a tortoise table! If the owners don't get in contact. Also, how high should the sides be?

 

[jjsull33]

adult russians don't need a night time heat source as long the temp isn't going below mid 50s you will be fine. It is good for a russian to get a night time lull in heat too.

 

[Alan RF]

adult russians don't need a night time heat source as long the temp isn't going below mid 50s you will be fine. It is good for a russian to get a night time lull in heat too.

Room temp tonight is 80F -approx 27C ? Does a light need to be on all the time or just 12 hours a day like my RF?