I got a Russian!

[AnimalLady]

Hello all!

I was recently in contact with a Redfoot breeder, but that fell thru and I ended up just going to a pet store. What they had available was a Woodland Turtle? and a Russian.. since my first tort was a Russian, this was my choice.

There were 5 of the little guys. I ended up getting the largest and most active one. He's a beaut! I haven't named him yet, I will eventually, but I like to name based on personality.

I don't know his age though, I asked and the clerk took a guess at 2-3 years. I would say his shell size is between 5.5 - 6" in length. I haven't had any time, but I will take pix and share with you all, probably tomorrow.

The one question I have right now is, can I feed him cactus pads? I have a cactus tree in my yard and was wondering if it would be okay. Does it have to be a specific type of cactus?

TIA

~Maria

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Congrats!
Since you got the biggest one, you may have also got the healthiest "bully" of the bunch.
I'm glad you didn't buy a RF from that mystery breeder.
I feed my RF cactus. I think a Russian can, too.

 

[AnimalLady]

I have him outdoors right now (as of Saturday) and he looks to be doing GREAT. I didn't get to build the fancy enclosure (like yours ) YET. I used what I had handy at the time (cinder blocks) and well, it isn't appealing to the eye, but its working pretty well right now. He has a large shady area, and one of those HUGE log hide things. I also have a card board box thing for a hide (until I get my hands on some terra cotta planters) I also bought him the pond looking soak thing from the pet store. I figured he's already use to that thing since it was in his cage at the store, so might as well. The only issue I see that I'm having with him is, he goes to the corner of the enclosure and kind of burrows a bit. I think he's doing this because thats how he "hid" in the pet store. He has NO interest what so ever in any of the hides I have in there.

I noticed during the day he is CRAZY active, walking all around, I saw him soak a couple times but around 6-6:30pm he kinda just shuts down. He goes to the corner of the enclosure, burrows in the dirt a bit and lights out till the next day! I have been picking him up and placing him under the huge log with the hopes that this eventually sticks. Should I be doing this? OR should I just leave him be?

TIA

~Maria

 

[Jodie]

Cactus is good. They feel more secure in the corner. Pictures of your enclosure will help us give suggestions to keep him happy. They take a while to adjust and feel secure in a new enclosure.

 

[boxraddict]

RT's are amazing, congrats I just got mine too.

 

[AnimalLady]

As soon as I get some time I will take pix of the enclosure and post. Most likely on the weekend, because normally it's dark out when I get home.
Thanks Jodie!!

 

[AnimalLady]

RT's are amazing, congrats I just got mine too.

Thank you! You too!

 

[Tom]

Those ramped water bowls are tortoise death traps. You need to remove it ASAP. We've had members come home to find their tortoise drowned in those. Use a terra cotta plant saucer sunk into the substrate.

Some cactus are toxic. You need spineless opuntia. There are many varieties.

There is no way to know the tortoises age. It is certainly older than 2-3 years at that size.

What size is the enclosure?

 

[AnimalLady]

Those ramped water bowls are tortoise death traps. You need to remove it ASAP. We've had members come home to find their tortoise drowned in those. Use a terra cotta plant saucer sunk into the substrate.

Some cactus are toxic. You need spineless opuntia. There are many varieties.

There is no way to know the tortoises age. It is certainly older than 2-3 years at that size.

What size is the enclosure?

I googled the type I have, it is indeed some kind of opuntia, prickly pear? Hardly has any pinchy things on it. He was not at all interested though.... so I guess its a no for my guy.

So no way to figure out the exact age? That kinda sucks. More than 2-3? Oh cool!!! Thank you!

I would say the enclosure is about 4ft W x 9ft L? Something like that.

Death trap you say? Oh man! I'll take it out as soon as I get home. I really need to go to Home Depot....

 

[AnimalLady]

Here's my little buddy. Sorry for the crappy pix, I was in a rush to get the boys to practice!

 

[boxraddict]

Handsome fella! Is his name Torty?

 

[AnimalLady]

Thanks!
I'm definitely leaning towards that name! Thats all I have been calling him! But it seems so, I dont know, common I guess.
I want to do some googling for Russian names today.. see if i come up with something.

 

[boxraddict]

Good luck. Mine just got his name, which is Ivan... since he's a russian tort and I like the Rocky movies lol (Ivan Drago).

 

[AnimalLady]

Ivan is a good one! Good job

 

[AnimalLady]

So far, i'm not really liking Russian names LOL!

I'm thinking King Tut. Yea, I like that.

 

[Tom]

I googled the type I have, it is indeed some kind of opuntia, prickly pear? Hardly has any pinchy things on it. He was not at all interested though.... so I guess its a no for my guy.

Few tortoises will eat a new food the first time they see it. Give it some time. Try slicing up some very thin strips of the opuntia and mix it in with his favorite other greens. Start with just a tiny amount of cactus and gradually work up to more over time. He may need to see it 15 times before he takes a bite. Tortoises can be very stubborn creatures of habit. Don't give up.

 

[AnimalLady]

OK, in that case, i'll just keep trying.

He wasnt interested in Hibiscus flower either. Loves Romaine lettuce though.

Thanks Tom!