Hello everybody, my name is Cody and for my 28th birthday my super-awesome girlfriend surprised me with one of the best birthday gifts I've ever received: a Russian Tortoise whom I named Leroy.
I have owned and kept several turtles indigenous to my area (SE Wisconsin), but am very new to tortoises. My girlfriend purchased Leroy from a very highly regarded and reputable locally owned pet store that specializes in reptiles and tropical fish. The owners of this pet store breed Redfoot tortoises, and owned Sulcata tortoises in the past. They informed me that Leroy is a male, and that he is not quite an adult yet. Upon bringing him home I measured and weighed him. He's 5 inches (measured according to the pinned thread on this forum) and he weighed in at 377g. Does that seem like a healthy size/weight ratio?
Leroy's health is my #1 priority, and I have scheduled a fecal test, as well as a general examination at a local herp vet. He is very bright-eyed and seems to be in good health, but being new to tortoises I can not be certain. I've lurked on this forum for about a week, reading recommendations for substrate, lighting, temperature...etc.
My girlfriend and I immediately went to work building an outdoor, as well as an indoor enclosure. The outdoor enclosure is approximately 7' x 3' and the indoor enclosure is 2' x 4'. So far Leroy seems to be enjoying his new home, and I am greatly enjoying his company.
Like I said, I've been lurking around here for about a week and have found TFO to be a great source of knowledge and information and I look forward to being a contributing member of this community!
I have owned and kept several turtles indigenous to my area (SE Wisconsin), but am very new to tortoises. My girlfriend purchased Leroy from a very highly regarded and reputable locally owned pet store that specializes in reptiles and tropical fish. The owners of this pet store breed Redfoot tortoises, and owned Sulcata tortoises in the past. They informed me that Leroy is a male, and that he is not quite an adult yet. Upon bringing him home I measured and weighed him. He's 5 inches (measured according to the pinned thread on this forum) and he weighed in at 377g. Does that seem like a healthy size/weight ratio?
Leroy's health is my #1 priority, and I have scheduled a fecal test, as well as a general examination at a local herp vet. He is very bright-eyed and seems to be in good health, but being new to tortoises I can not be certain. I've lurked on this forum for about a week, reading recommendations for substrate, lighting, temperature...etc.
My girlfriend and I immediately went to work building an outdoor, as well as an indoor enclosure. The outdoor enclosure is approximately 7' x 3' and the indoor enclosure is 2' x 4'. So far Leroy seems to be enjoying his new home, and I am greatly enjoying his company.
Like I said, I've been lurking around here for about a week and have found TFO to be a great source of knowledge and information and I look forward to being a contributing member of this community!
