I Adopted a Russian Tortoise!

[Impervious Carapace]

His name is Calcifer. I don't know how old he is, Reddit Tortoise says over 20, former owners say 4. He came in an aquarium, I replaced the substrate (formerly 1/4" of dry bark) and am building him a table that's 24"x48" with a tunnel going to another section that is 24"x24". I've been taking him outside to eat and wander around when it is warm enough and bathing and feeding him lots of healthy things. I'm building an outdoor pen that is an octagon with 8' sides, I think it will be big enough.

Instead of feeding him a blend of the recommended plants, I've been giving him a different kind every day, let me know if there is a reason not to do that (he doesn't seem to mind).

My only other concern with him is that his shell might be curling a bit more than usual over his hind legs on the edge. I don't have a great photo of this right now though.

 

[hingeback]

Welcome to the forum. Letting a dog with a tortoise is very dangerous. Calcifer might get serious injuries. Just to be safe.

 

[bryson white]

nice looking tortoise do you know anything else about his past

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

I think thats normal if its a slight curl. My russian tortoise has that curl in the back too i dont know if you can see that.

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Welcome to the forum. Nice little Russan tort.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello

 

[Rue]

Congrats! He is very handsome! Do you have pics of your octagonal pen? I am idea-shopping for our outdoor pen build....

 

[chondroaddict]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

I really like it when new members start out by showing us pictures.

 

[Pearly]

Hi and welcome from Texas! Calcifer is very handsome. I keep the Redfooted love them!

 

[popeye tortoise]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome , nice pics !