New Member Penelope!

[AshleyS]

Hi everyone Penelope, my Russian tortoise and I are new to the forum. I was just curious how everyone thinks her health is and any suggestions to improve. I just made her a brand new home, as big as I could (4ft by 2.7ft) wish it was bigger. I used coconut coir substrate, made a rock bed (no rocks she could eat), she has her log, a cave, a Timothy Hay section (she just burrowed in, two live plants that are made into hide spaces and safe to eat based on the "Tortoise Table", and lastly her water dish. Oh and appropriate lighting (heat light, UVB, and red night light). Please let me know what you think and any help or advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[crimson_lotus]

You did a great job! One thing which I'm sure others will comment on is your water dish. Those are usually hard for tortoises to get into and cause them to flip easier. You should try a terracotta saucer instead, something shallow enough that your tortoise cannot drown in it if he or she flips over, and something buried at ground level.

I would also recommend getting rid of the red night light. If it emits heat, you could always exchange it for a ceramic heat emitter that emits no light at all. Tortoises are kind of like us and some may be bothered by the light.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

Here's a picture of what your tortoise's beak should look like:

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/cs-russian.htm

You need to trim Penelope's beak soon before it gets so out of shape that it makes it hard to get it back where it belongs.

I really love the hard work you put into making Penelope a good home. It looks great. Like Crimson_lotus said, though, change out the manufactured waterer for a plant saucer that the tortoise can fit inside of. Tortoises don't bend and in order to get a drink out of that kind of waterer they have to stretch their neck way out, then up, then over, then down. This puts them into a pretty vulnerable position, and many tortoises just don't drink in order to protect themselves. When you get the saucer, sink it down into the substrate so it's even with the ground and she just has to dip her head in to drink.

 

[AshleyS]

How do I trim her beak? Thank you guys for all your help! I'll get a terra cotta dish tomorrow!

 

[lismar79]

Beak trim for sure, but other than that she looks good! If you do not feel comfortable trimming beak take her to a good vet. Once its in shape it will be easy to keep up. Feed her on a pc of rock or give her a cuttlefish bone. She will be able to eat so much better!

 

[kathyth]

Looks good! Agree with the beak needing a good trim.
I see you have several water bowls. Looks like you also have a ramp bowl, which is good.
Welcome to the forum!
Great Russian!

 

[leigti]

It looks good. I have a couple suggestions. hey can be very drying to the tortoise, instead try a big mound of coconut coir that she can dig herself into. And I would replace all the water did dishes with just one terra-cotta dish for water and maybe a Nother one for food. That will help keep her beak trimmed also. The plants are great, she may destroy them so be ready to put some more in there

 

[leigti]

You probably do not need night heat at all. Russians do better if the temperature drops at night. So if your house stays over 65° she should be just fine.

 

[Yvonne G]

You should have the vet trim the beak. Someone who doesn't know what they're doing could cause a bit of harm. Then once you gotten it back to where it belongs, if you don't cut up the food, and feed on a rough piece of cement or something like that, it gets worn down naturally. But you need to have it trimmed first.

 

[AshleyS]

Thanks everyone! It's so great to have all the help to make Penelope the best home possible! She has been burrowed into one spot ever since she was introduced to her new enclosure. Can't wait for her to explore!

 

[katfinlou]

That is a fantastic enclosure you've built there, im hoping to be able to provide something similar when I get all of my torts wish list delivered from Amazon. I will certainly use your set up for inspiration!! My girl had an overgrown beak too and the vet trimmed it, it didnt cost much at all, although he was a bit too enthusiastic with the trimming she is great now and eating like a horse. Im sure not all vets are as bad as mine at beak trimming. Im now feeing my girl from a piece of slate that I got from fennstones on Amazon and hopefully that will help keep the beak trim. Penelope looks lovely and she's sure to have a wonderful future with you!! Good luck!!!

 

[Phenomenalhm]

Great job Ashley!

 

[gingerbee]

Really nice home!! Cute tort also!!!

 

[Kathy Coles]

We all live and LEARN. I also have the same water dish that was discarded after joining the forum. There is so much useful info here. And folks are friendly. Everyone just wants the best for our torts.

 

[AshleyS]

Started on the beak filing!

 

[leopard777]

self file ? using dremel ?

 

[AshleyS]

self file ? using dremel ?

I'm using a self file...we don't own a Dremel, I'm considering buying one but they kind of scare me.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

My vet uses a battery operated dremel tool. That's much easier to use than the plug in ones for this task. I have an electric one that I bought for making doll houses & never use. You'd also have to watch out for the heat that's produced so the beak doesn't heat up and hurt.

 

[AshleyS]

Hi everyone! I'm looking to sell Penelope and her habitat for $200. She is 9 years old, friendly, and active. Her habitat is 40" tall, and 26"x29". She has two large rocks, a wooden log cave, a clay dish for water, a live grass plant, and a big pebble bed. Also, she has some hay that can be placed in her tank. I live in St. Louis and can only sell her to someone willing to come get her and her habitat. Please let me know if you are interested.