Marty

[superjon86]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd introduce you all to our new six month old tortoise Marty!

He's such a character and we're loving looking after him!

 

[tortdad]

Welcome to TFO Marty

 

[pam]

Welcome Russians are awesome

 

[lismar79]

Awww, hi marty!

 

[superjon86]

Does everyone think he looks ok? Shell shape and such like?

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Do you want us to scare you or reassure you?

That pellet substrate is the wrong stuff. He needs coconut coir or soil or a combination to hold moisture. He needs to be able to burrow in to find moisture. The proper substrate helps the legs and feet, & prevents them from deforming.

Does he have UVB light?

His shell is not perfectly smooth. It's not bad, but it's not perfect. Improve his habitat and keep it from getting worse.

 

[mchong9606]

Do you want us to scare you or reassure you?

That pellet substrate is the wrong stuff. He needs coconut coir or soil or a combination to hold moisture. He needs to be able to burrow in to find moisture. The proper substrate helps the legs and feet, & prevents them from deforming.

Does he have UVB light?

His shell is not perfectly smooth. It's not bad, but it's not perfect. Improve his habitat and keep it from getting worse.

I don't keep Russians, but absolutely please change out the substrate. Way too drying!

 

[tortdad]

He looks pretty good but he won't be for long if you don't put him in a better habitat. Take a look at the care sheets in the Russian tortoise section and ask any questions you want, we're only wanting to help you take the the best care of him.

 

[superjon86]

Thanks for all your advice everyone - duly noted and changing his substrate this week!

He's very lively, has definitely settled too He's become more confident already.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

 

[Abdulla6169]

Hello, feel free to read out forum care/diet sheets

 

[superjon86]

Thanks all! I'll keep you up to date with Marty's progress!
We're bathing him regularly and only feeding him the recommended food on the care sheet. He enjoys sleeping but when he's awake is lively and loves climbing up and down his logs...walking through them, digging, burrowing, exploring
We're keeping his UV and heat lamps on for around 12 hours and he's started to get into a routine that when we switch them off, that's his bed time

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Hi MartyCoco coir. You can also mist daily, to keep it humid. His shell looks good though, but your soaks should make it great

 

[Reptilelove]

Welcome to the forum! Marty is looking great

 

[superjon86]

Thanks Reptilelove! He's a huge character!

We've got a log and some rocks in his table which he loves climbing up and on. He can only just about manage to climb up the log but looks like he enjoys himself when he does.

He enjoys a bath and always seems lively he has had one! He also knows that when we switch his lights off that's his bedtime haha.

 

[Reptilelove]

Thanks Reptilelove! He's a huge character!

We've got a log and some rocks in his table which he loves climbing up and on. He can only just about manage to climb up the log but looks like he enjoys himself when he does.

He enjoys a bath and always seems lively he has had one! He also knows that when we switch his lights off that's his bedtime haha.

Aha, lively torts are always the best, mine love bath time also!

 

[superjon86]

Another pic, hope everyone likes

 

[superjon86]

I'm absolutely fascinated by Marty and tortoises! He's such a real character, don't care if people think they're boring pets - they most definitely aren't!

 

[mikeh]

Welcome. Martys prior husbandry was not the most ideal. Most of what you may have been told by the seller is most likely incorrect and development of Marty's shell is starting to show it.
Marty needs good quality UVB light (NOT spiral UVB bulb) positioned at specific height. He would greatly benefit from natural sun light as much as possible.
Diet rich in fiber, not protein. Broad leaf weeds are best, not store bought greens. He would also benefit from calcium supplement.
Rabbit pellets need to go. Coconut coir is a good option.
Down the road Marty would also like to be in a larger habitat.

 

[superjon86]

hi mikeh, he's got a good quality UVB light and his shell is actually in good condition! We sprinkle calcium supplement on his food and only give him food from the recommended list.
We've also got rid of the rabbit pellets and replaced with coconut coir.