Nails too long?

NeekoBe

New Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2019
Messages
29
Location (City and/or State)
Belgium
Hey guys,
I've had this tortoise for about 2 years now (i'm guessing she/he is around 3 years old).
For as long as i can remember he/she had long nails like this ( and the rear ones are curly), however every picture of russian tortoises online shows straight nails. Are the nails(esp the rear ones) too long and if so how do i go about cutting them without hitting blood vessels? the nails are almost always half black and shineing a light through them doesnt seem to reveal the blood vessels.

Bonus question: i know he/she is very young, but can anyone give me a general idea if this tortoise is female/male? I know he/she is VERY aggressive towards other tortoise and does the 'head bob' before charging in so i'm leaning towards male, but the tail suggests otherwise?

79519616_455216588752404_4987505672691122176_n.jpg 79599675_2680942335324262_6498103897565954048_n.jpg 79919695_442738173088296_4734819466628562944_n.jpg
 

Kapidolo Farms

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Messages
5,172
Location (City and/or State)
South of Southern California, but not Mexico
What substrate do you use? If you place some ceramic floor tiles, adhesive side up, as they walk around on them the nails will wear down some,

Yeah, they seem like they are a bit too long.
 

NeekoBe

New Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2019
Messages
29
Location (City and/or State)
Belgium
Hey, i use some regular top soil and recently placed some concrete blocks into the enclosure (like bricks you build houses with but concrete). will this help?

Also, any idea about female/male?

Thx for the reply ^^
 

Maro2Bear

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 29, 2014
Messages
14,712
Location (City and/or State)
Glenn Dale, Maryland, USA
Hey, i use some regular top soil and recently placed some concrete blocks into the enclosure (like bricks you build houses with but concrete). will this help?

Also, any idea about female/male?

Thx for the reply ^^

Are the blocks placed so your tort is walking about on them a few times per day? If so, yes, they are rough and will help grind nails down. (Upload a pix of the blocks in the enclosure).
 

New Posts

Top