Misled about age?

[SinLA]

I definately will get tail and underside pics. Today I've only spoken to a newer employee that wasnt there yesterday and seems to be set on "DENY DENY DENY" Protocol. I will give them a better shot at defending themselves before putting them on blast online. I can understand an employee or even the manager being wrong about the age of just one species of animal but if they cant admit that he's older or not from a breeder, that's extremely uncool.

No worries. What part of CA are you in?

 

[Kevboosh]

No worries. What part of CA are you in?

Central coast. My home is on the outskirts in the warmer, drier, more tortoise friendly part.

 

[TammyJ]

I think this little tortoise had had a big stroke of good luck finding you! All the best.

 

[Tom]

This is what I'm using for the heat. Anything wrong with using this? I knew this didn't seem right. The light setup I had for my sulcata was much brighter. Dont remember exactly what everything was, but he definately had a flood bulb of some sort.

Those are not recommended. The way they make heat is not good for tortoise shells. Overly desiccating.

You probably don't need ambient heat living in CA. Your heat lamp can warm things up during the day, and room temp is fine for night.

It would be best to move this guy to a safe secure outdoor enclosure with a temperature controlled shelter. This is explained further in the care sheet in the link from SinLA.

 

[Cathie G]

I'll get some pictures with reference when he wakes up and so I can get your opinion on the gender. The substrate I got him in is much deeper than what he had, maybe he's just too snuggly. Thanks for all the help.

Hello and welcome. I have a Russian also that I got somewhat in the same way. Sapphire was around 5 maybe, give or take in 2007. Yours looks older than that in 2023. And is the usual little beat up wild Russian. I'm so glad I didn't send Sapphire back and TFO was surely a blessing to find in my journey with him I could be wrong about the following statement. There's a rule about trying to find out the gender of a tortoise. They have a slot - or an *.... - means a boy * means a girl. Just show us.

 

[Cathie G]

Hello and welcome. I have a Russian also that I got somewhat in the same way. Sapphire was around 5 maybe, give or take in 2007. Yours looks older than that in 2023. And is the usual little beat up wild Russian. I'm so glad I didn't send Sapphire back and TFO was surely a blessing to find in my journey with him I could be wrong about the following statement. There's a rule about trying to find out the gender of a tortoise. They have a slot - or an *.... - means a boy * means a girl. Just show us.

It's interesting to me that the photos are still showing blue scutes.

 

[Kevboosh]

It's interesting to me that the photos are still showing blue scutes.

Is that a sign of age?

 

[Kevboosh]

Dime for size reference.

 

[SinLA]

PLEASE get rid of the bowl immediately. its a flip/drowning hazard for tortoises...

How many inches is he front to back / left to right?

 

[Cathie G]

Dime for size reference.

I read that they are also called Russian Blues .as a baby supposedly, in the darker parts of the scutes, the color is blue.I don't know if the camera and lights are showing blue. Or the age is. I've never seen that color in an older Russians shell through a picture though. I'm not an expert though so it will be interesting . Thanks

 

[Kevboosh]

PLEASE get rid of the bowl immediately. its a flip/drowning hazard for tortoises...

How many inches is he front to back / left to right?

Even if I'm careful to not fill it up much? The water was only that high for the soak and I only did it in his water dish hoping it would help build good associations with his new environment (same for the little piece of apple, I know that's just a rare treat). I guess I'll just make it his food dish.

 

[Tom]

Even if I'm careful to not fill it up much? The water was only that high for the soak and I only did it in his water dish hoping it would help build good associations with his new environment (same for the little piece of apple, I know that's just a rare treat). I guess I'll just make it his food dish.

Tortoises flip upside down in those bowls. Its not safe to use for tortoises, even with no water. Those bowls are great for lizards and snakes, but unsafe for a rigid shelled animal. Use terra cotta plant saucers sunk into the substrate for food and water. Keep a couple of extras on hand for if one gets dirty or broken. These saucers are cheap and can be found at any hardware store or garden center.

I know it is upsetting to find out the pet store gave you all the wrong info and products after you spent all that money and worked so hard to do everything right. This happens to soooo many people. It would be even more upsetting if you were to come home and find your tortoise upside down, covered with its own feces, and dead in that ramped bowl.

We don't want to upset and frustrate you. We want to help you have a healthy tortoise and a happy tortoise keeping experience. Once you get through all this and have the right set up, you'll be able to go about the process of enjoying your new tortoise. Sorry man. I wish I could push a magic button and fix this problem, but so far I have not been able to find a magical solution.

 

[Kevboosh]

PLEASE get rid of the bowl immediately. its a flip/drowning hazard for tortoises...

How many inches is he front to back / left to right?

Dimes are just under a half inch in diameter I think? Trying to disturb him as little as possible and he just wants to be buried right now. Will get more precise measurements after he settles on more.

 

[Kevboosh]

Tortoises flip upside down in those bowls. Its not safe to use for tortoises, even with no water. Those bowls are great for lizards and snakes, but unsafe for a rigid shelled animal. Use terra cotta plant saucers sunk into the substrate for food and water. Keep a couple of extras on hand for if one gets dirty or broken. These saucers are cheap and can be found at any hardware store or garden center.

Alright, thanks. So far, we're up to about 150$+ worth of supplies the pet store employees said were the correct type but can't be used lol. I'll find a friend that can use them.

 

[Cathie G]

I think this little tortoise had had a big stroke of good luck finding you! All the best.

I do too. Yes.

 

[Tom]

Alright, thanks. So far, we're up to about 150$+ worth of supplies the pet store employees said were the correct type but can't be used lol. I'll find a friend that can use them.

Kev, I edited and added more to my post after you replied. You have my sympathy man. We've helped many a new person through this process. I'm always thrilled when a prospective tortoise owner finds us BEFORE they buy from a pet store and we can save them from this madness. But most of the time we get the people in your position. I feel your pain. I wish pet stores were not so bad at tortoise care.

 

[Cathie G]

Alright, thanks. So far, we're up to about 150$+ worth of supplies the pet store employees said were the correct type but can't be used lol. I'll find a friend that can use them.

Or return them. Most pet shops will refund you. I've been there also and it wasn't a problem even if I tried them and they weren't the right thing.

 

[Cathie G]

Or return them. Most pet shops will refund you. I've been there also and it wasn't a problem even if I tried them and they weren't the right thing.

I ate the cost for my tortoise that might not make it but did, because I wanted him. I wasn't about to send send him back to certain death. But I absolutely won't eat the cost for wrong supplies from a pet shop. Reputable pet shops have a guarantee even if you've used the product. Even food you've opened. My opinion is if it's not right take it back. Best hopes and prayers to you

 

[Kevboosh]

Kev, I edited and added more to my post after you replied. You have my sympathy man. We've helped many a new person through this process. I'm always thrilled when a prospective tortoise owner finds us BEFORE they buy from a pet store and we can save them from this madness. But most of the time we get the people in your position. I feel your pain. I wish pet stores were not so bad at tortoise care.

I've been here reading over the past couple months, preparing. Just did a bad job at it lol. Found out which species I thought I could give a great home too and what they needed(shouldve looked up brand names and models for the lights). Been on waiting lists for a russian but I knew they wouldnt be captive bred and was scared to order one through the mail. When I, on a whim, called a pet store a little further away and they said they had one who was captive bred, I jumped on it. They impressed me so I deferred supply selection to them. I still think they meant well for the most part. Thanks for all the help!

 

[Kevboosh]

Or return them. Most pet shops will refund you. I've been there also and it wasn't a problem even if I tried them and they weren't the right thing.

The problem is, it would take 40-50$ of gas if I were to make a trip just to return the items. Maybe if I find a good reason to be in the area again.