Help :) ( what is it?)

[Penny_x]

Hello Eveyone!

I'm new to the tortoise thing! I took him to the vets couple months back & they said he was a 'boy' and was about '9 years old' so only a baby really...

I have no idea what type he is.. Could anyone help me please would love to know!

Thanks

 

[Laurie]

RE: Help

Hi Penny, I haven't had my coffee yet this morning , but your tortoise looks like a Russian (steppe) tortoise to me. It is important to know what kind of tort you have because the care is different. If you can tell me some more about your setup and what you are feeding, I will be happy to help you get your little guy setup correctly.

 

[wellington]

RE: Help

Ditto with Laurie, and I had my coffee already

 

[Tom]

RE: Help

Yep. Russian. Looks like you might need some diet info. May we help you and your tortoise?

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

[CLMoss]

RE: Help

Welcome! I am on my first cup of coffee..~C

 

[Masin]

RE: Help

Heating the kettle for the french press and contemplating heating up the espresso maker for a Café con leche. One of those days! You guys aren't making it any easier to resist!

 

[Yvonne G]

RE: Help

Welcome, Penny!

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

RE: Help

Welcome!

 

[tortoiselover+breeder1234]

RE: Help

Welcome to the forums!!!

 

[dmmj]

RE: Help

I can say it is russian, and I didn't need coffee. Russians are great tortoises.

 

[JoesMum]

RE: Help

Hi Penny

A good clear shot of the plastron and tail will help with identity and gender.

Unfortunately age cannot be guessed. All torts grow at different rates depending on diet and environment. Unless you have a hatching date, age is unknown.

How long is your tort?

 

[TortoiseBoy1999]

RE: Help

RUSSIAN!!!!! And I don't drink coffee ;D

 

[Penny_x]

RE: Help

I feed him cucumber, broccolie, apple ect..

I don't change what he eats because I worry that it can be bad for him..

He has a UV light & I keep the temp above 32

Thank you for the help

---

Also what do I put on the floor for him at the moment I use wood chippings from pets at home.. Is that the right thing to do?

 

[dmmj]

RE: Help

You are gonna want to change his diet, from fruits and vegetables, to weeds, leaves and flowers.

 

[TortoiseBoy1999]

RE: Help

I feed him cucumber, broccolie, apple ect..

I don't change what he eats because I worry that it can be bad for him..

He has a UV light & I keep the temp above 32

Thank you for the help

---

Also what do I put on the floor for him at the moment I use wood chippings from pets at home.. Is that the right thing to do?

---

32° C? Or 32° F. This is very important. And I love Russian's I have 2 of my own And I would use Coco coir coconut fiber from Petsmart/Petco

 

[Yvonne G]

RE: Help

I feed him cucumber, broccolie, apple ect..

I don't change what he eats because I worry that it can be bad for him..

Actually, what you are feeding him could be bad for him. Go with what dmmj told you.

 

[Penny_x]

Thank u for the help, he's really fussy on what he eats, I no that sounds silly but if you put new things in there he won't eat for days, do I just need to stand my ground till he eats the new food?

 

[dmmj]

If he is a healthy adult tough love is usually the best way to go, a healthy tortoise won't starve itself.

 

[jtrux]

Good luck with him!

 

[Laura]

tough love.. what you are feeding him is not good.. needs better and variety.
you can stop cold turkey and only feed the right stuff, or mix the other things he is used to eating in with the other stuff until he learns.