New to the crew 🐢

[chelvan49]

Hello everyone! I just recently adopted a 10-12 year old male Russian Tortoise, Milo! I am in love already, he is in pretty poor condition his beak is over grown and he had a lot of feces stuck to shell, legs, neck. His enclosure is hand made and beautiful but could tell the flooring hadn’t been changed in quite sometime… anyway, got him home gave him a soak and a toothbrush rub down, had some hissing but overall he seemed to appreciate it. Gave him all new materials and have been trying to give him his space I’m afraid to stress him to much. I have installed a Tortoise cam so I can watch him from afar I have offered him everything from strawberries, spinach, spring mix,green beans,blueberries, and carrots he also has a cuddle bone but he hasn’t seem to touch anything. First time owner any suggestions? Also should I soak him again? Last soak was Thursday night when I brought him home! Open to anything again I am learning and want to give him an amazing life. Pictures of Milo posted! I even caught a yawn this morning after turning on his lights! 😍🐢🥱

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome!

 

[chelvan49]

Welcome!

Thank you! So happy to be here! Hope to learn from everyone!

 

[Maro2Bear]

Welcome. There’s a ton of “how to” under the Russian section, including size of enclosures, heating, lighting, substrate & food.

Don’t worry that it’s not eating (yet), it’s settling in.

And, yes! Give your guy a nice warm water soaking daily. It will really help it’s overall health. Add hydration. Etc.

➡️➡️ https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threa...ise-any-temperate-species-of-tortoise.183131/

 

[chelvan49]

Welcome. There’s a ton of “how to” under the Russian section, including size of enclosures, heating, lighting, substrate & food.

Don’t worry that it’s not eating (yet), it’s settling in.

And, yes! Give your guy a nice warm water soaking daily. It will really help it’s overall health. Add hydration. Etc.

Thank you for such a warm welcome! I will go check out the Russian section now! I would assume still offer a wide variety of food daily until I see him finally settle?

 

[Jacqui]

Hi! *waves*

 

[Maro2Bear]

And….upgrade your temp gauges when you get a chance…

✅ https://www.acurite.com/shop-all/we...meter-with-humidity-clock-silver-00891a2.html

 

[Maro2Bear]

Next….a better water/soaking dish. Bury it down level into the substrate..

➡️ https://www.lowes.com/pd/16-54-in-Terracotta-Clay-Plant-Saucer/1000712780

 

[MenagerieGrl]

Yes, keep the food available, when he gets hungry, he'll decide to eat . .

 

[chelvan49]

And….upgrade your temp gauges when you get a chance…

✅ https://www.acurite.com/shop-all/we...meter-with-humidity-clock-silver-00891a2.html

Oh yes! I know that one has been giving me problems, I have two the one works on the other side I ordered another it should be here today or tomorrow

 

[chelvan49]

Oh yes! I know that one has been giving me problems, I have two the one works on the other side I ordered another it should be here today or tomorrow

Oh I just clicked your link, that’s fancy!

 

[chelvan49]

Next….a better water/soaking dish. Bury it down level into the substrate..

➡️ https://www.lowes.com/pd/16-54-in-Terracotta-Clay-Plant-Saucer/1000712780

Thank you! I will run out and grab one today!

 

[TammyJ]

Hi, welcome, all the best!

 

[MenagerieGrl]

And….upgrade your temp gauges when you get a chance…

✅ https://www.acurite.com/shop-all/we...meter-with-humidity-clock-silver-00891a2.html

Just remember the Body of the unit is what reads the Humidity level. It needs to be in the enclosure to get a correct Humidity reading, the remote Temp Sensor can be located in another part of the enclosure . .

 

[zolasmum]

Thank you! I will run out and grab one today!

Since his beak is so overgrown, he may be having trouble eating - try cutting his food up quite small - this will also increase the scent of it - it may make it easier to cope with. Also he may have been fed a very limited diet, and may be suspicious of the nice things you are offering.
Poor little chap - when he gets over his anxiety, he will have a very much better life with you - thank you for taking him on.
Angie

 

[chelvan49]

Hi, welcome, all the best!

Thank you!

 

[chelvan49]

Since his beak is so overgrown, he may be having trouble eating - try cutting his food up quite small - this will also increase the scent of it - it may make it easier to cope with. Also he may have been fed a very limited diet, and may be suspicious of the nice things you are offering.
Poor little chap - when he gets over his anxiety, he will have a very much better life with you - thank you for taking him on.
Angie

Thank you for the kind words and help, I will make all of his food smaller in hopes to help him eat

 

[Sarah2020]

Welcome, thanks for taking it in and providing it a new home. Tortoise like to crawl onto / into their food and water so suggest you change the food and water dishes to flower pot bases that are big enough. Whilst sweet stuff is yummy for us they can not digest it govfor green leaves and flowers.

this is a handy database.

The Tortoise Table - Home

The Tortoise Table plant database and resource site for Tortoise owners

www.thetortoisetable.org.uk