My Russian!

[ehopkins12]

Hello, just wanted to post a thread with some pictures of my RT, her name is clover. Part of the reason i'm posting this is because I don't know how old she is. I got her at Petsmart and they said she was a baby, but judging by pictures of babies and adults she looks more like an adult. So I was wondering how old she is exactly and If she will grow anymore. I also just wanted to post some pics (and video link) of her so you guys can make sure she looks to be in good health! So take a look please! and thank you!

heres a short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZBrsikTPZo

 

[GBtortoises]

Your Russian tortoise is a young adult. Based on where you got it, most likely a wild caught import. For them to be legally imported they must be at least 4" SCL (straightline carapace length). There is no way of telling exactly how old your tortoise is unless you positively know the birthdate as would be possible with a captive born animal. But based on size your tortoise may be anywhere from 4-8 years old, probably closer to the younger side.

"She" looks to be in good health but that's tough to tell from a few photos. Do you know that it is a female for certain? Female Russians will have a very small, almost button-like tail with a small pointed tip on the tail. Males will have an obviously larger tail that is longer and thicker overall. Males will tuck their tails to the side next to one of their legs to retract it. There is very little other differences in the gender of Russian tortoises of the size of yours except the tail. As a full grown adult, if a female it will be larger than it's male counterpart.

If you are unsure you can post a photo of "her" plastron showing a clear view of the tail area and I'm certain someone here can determine whether it's male or female.

 

[Jacqui]

Clover does appear to be a healthy adult tortoise. She is eating well for you correct and is active (which is how it looks)? I bet she thinks she is rolling in the clover now with somebody who is caring enough to give her the kind of life she deserves.

 

[ehopkins12]

wow...thats pretty crazy. Thought she was a baby this whole time! haha I really don't like that she may have been captured in the wild either :/ But anyway heres a picture of her tail. Hopefully she is in fact a she...

 

[Yvonne G]

Uh-uh...meet Mr. Clover!

 

[Isa]

What a cute little tortoise butt

 

[Stephanie Logan]

In order for the experts here to tell you for sure, you'll need a photo of the plastron (tummy) side, focusing on the tail section. Clover's tail looks male to me, but I am not even close to being an expert (but hey, I have a 50% chance of being right!).

I think (s)he looks very healthy considering the possibility of being wild caught. Even at the ripe young age of 4-8 years, Clover may still outlive you, now that (s)he's getting topnotch care from a loving keeper.

Show us Clover's set-up when you can; we are always looking for new ideas or creative details to copy!

 

[ehopkins12]

wow.... unbelievable they got the gender wrong! well heres a couple pics of the underside to be sure

and also, and I really don't mean this to be rude so please don't take it the wrong way. But I don't know a lot about this forum yet so I was wondering what qualifies the experts on this site? considering a vet made the gender distinction at petsmart. Are there vets on this site? or just people really experienced with tortoises?

 

[Yvonne G]

The vet probably wasn't really "up" on the different kinds of tortoise anatomy. The Russian males don't get a concave plastron and the vet thought female because the plastron is flat. I went by male because of the big fat tail. Females have little stubby tails.

Most of the experienced folks here on the forum have quite a bit of experience with the different kinds of tortoises. Far as I know, there are no vets here.

 

[GBtortoises]

It's definitely a male! As Yvonne stated, male Russians do not have concave plastron as do males of many other species. I'm sure that most vets that treat exotic animals may know tortoise nomenclature in general. But I doubt that few know the specifics of each species. While many are similar, each has specific traits, habits and in some cases, specialized care requirements. That's where this forum is valuable. There are members here that have kept or keep just about every species out there.

 

[ehopkins12]

well dang! a male! well thanks a lot guys! good to know also do you guys know any sites that have good pictures and descriptions of the differences? just so I can easily determine myself for my next tortoise.

 

[GBtortoises]

How to determine the gender of a tortoise can depend upon the species of the tortoise. Some aren't so clear cut as the size and shape of the tail. I don't know of a site that specifically shows the difference between male and female of each species but there probably is one or at least something close. I can say with confidence that if you ask here before purchasing a certain species you will get some good husbandry advice including how to determine the gender of the species that you're looking at. Most can provide you photos to tell the difference too.
I personally keep and breed all of the Northern Mediterranean species (Hermann's, Marginateds & Greek Ibera), Russians and Pancake tortoises. I would be glad to help however I can. There are many other people here that keep those and other species that have alot of experience with them also.

 

[ehopkins12]

awesome! this is a great forum! so...i'm thinking a name change now since hes a boy. any suggestions? I'm leaning toward Yoda

 

[Isa]

Clover is a nice male name Why don't you keep it. When I got Hermy, the pet shop told me it was a female, when I asked here, they told me he was a male lol and I kept the same name: Hermy

 

[ehopkins12]

i like clover but I just really wanted to get a male and name him Yoda! haha so now that hes a male I think i'm gonna go with Yoda. Partly because i'm a huge star wars fan as well. haha

 

[Yvonne G]

Here ya' go:

http://www.russiantortoise.net/male_female.htm

(interesting about the "asterisk" comment. I never noticed that before."

 

[Isa]

i like clover but I just really wanted to get a male and name him Yoda! haha so now that hes a male I think i'm gonna go with Yoda. Partly because i'm a huge star wars fan as well. haha

Yoda is a super cute name

 

[Weloveourtortoise]

Go YODA!!!!! Congrats on the addition to the family! Happy you got the boy you wanted all along!