My name is Dev and I learned of your group through a google search for information about the care of Russian Tortoises My Russian Tortoise, Tank, has lived with me for three years. I believe he is 5 or 6 years old now. I got him when my friend's son moved out of state.
On March 22nd Tank escaped from his outdoor pen. We searched and searched, and did not expect to ever see him again. We live in rural farm country in upstate New York and you know how fast they can move. He was out there for 6 days when, by some miracle, my granddaughter found him 1/4 of a mile away while she was driving down the dirt road. That was a week with cold temperatures, especially at night, and a lot of rain. Poor Tank now has a respiratory infection (not to mention that he lost a toe nail on a back foot and has a slight chip in his shell).
We went to the vets yesterday and they gave him fluids and an antibiotic injection. I will give him an injection every three days for 21 days. While at the vets, I learned several things. Among them are: (1) his diet of romaine with an occasional tomato is not sufficient, (2) the sprinkling of calcium on his food now and then is not sufficient either, and (3) the UV light bulb is effective for only 6 moths. This was a very worthwhile vet visit.
Tank lives in a 55 gal. aquarium, however, we are planning to build him a better habitat. I am looking for advice for the best lighting and heating. The vet also showed me that the side edges of Tank's shell are beginning to curve up. Any advice on better nutrition will be greatly appreciated.
I raise canaries, have chickens and an eclectus parrot named Rocky. The Eclectus Parrot Group has been so supportive, especially when I was a newbie. I am looking forward to any advice on how to keep Tank healthy and happy. Thank you.
On March 22nd Tank escaped from his outdoor pen. We searched and searched, and did not expect to ever see him again. We live in rural farm country in upstate New York and you know how fast they can move. He was out there for 6 days when, by some miracle, my granddaughter found him 1/4 of a mile away while she was driving down the dirt road. That was a week with cold temperatures, especially at night, and a lot of rain. Poor Tank now has a respiratory infection (not to mention that he lost a toe nail on a back foot and has a slight chip in his shell).
We went to the vets yesterday and they gave him fluids and an antibiotic injection. I will give him an injection every three days for 21 days. While at the vets, I learned several things. Among them are: (1) his diet of romaine with an occasional tomato is not sufficient, (2) the sprinkling of calcium on his food now and then is not sufficient either, and (3) the UV light bulb is effective for only 6 moths. This was a very worthwhile vet visit.
Tank lives in a 55 gal. aquarium, however, we are planning to build him a better habitat. I am looking for advice for the best lighting and heating. The vet also showed me that the side edges of Tank's shell are beginning to curve up. Any advice on better nutrition will be greatly appreciated.
I raise canaries, have chickens and an eclectus parrot named Rocky. The Eclectus Parrot Group has been so supportive, especially when I was a newbie. I am looking forward to any advice on how to keep Tank healthy and happy. Thank you.
If you can get him outside for some natural sunlight that would be really good for him. Also, the flourescent UVB last six months, the mercury vapor bulbs are more expensive, but last closer to a year, and also gives off light and heat along with uv. I do believe the calcium, a pinch a couple times a week is enough. Too much isn't good either.
