Picking Up / Holding Russian Tortoise

[missjmg19]

I'm sure this is not the right place to post this, but I couldn't figure out where to go, so here I am! Well, after a couple weeks of soaking up knowledge from you all, we are finally picking up our rescued/adopted russian tortoise tomorrow. He is approximately 5 years old and I will post pictures once home.

One question I never thought to ask, and I can't seem to find anything about this posted..... what is best way to pick up our tortoise and/or carry/hold him?

Thanks for everything!!!

 

[Yvonne G]

I like to believe that they feel more secure when placed in something instead of being held in your hands. So when I have to pick up my tortoises I hold them on either side of the shell and then place them into a plastic tub or shoe box. If you want to hold it, he will feel more secure if you place one hand under his plastron.

 

[missjmg19]

I like to believe that they feel more secure when placed in something instead of being held in your hands. So when I have to pick up my tortoises I hold them on either side of the shell and then place them into a plastic tub or shoe box. If you want to hold it, he will feel more secure if you place one hand under his plastron.

Thanks....this is how I thought it should be done, but good to know. We don't have room to build outdoor enclosure so when we take him out is it best to put him in rubbermaid tub (if so, what size) for 30 - 60 minutes (with "hide" and "water dish") or can we let him crawl around on grass? Clearly, we will stay out with him either way.

 

[Yvonne G]

I've heard many, many, "...I only took my eyes off him for a few seconds (to tend the baby, to answer the phone, to swat a mosquito...) and when I looked back, he was nowhere to be seen" So it is always best to have some sort of containment. For temporary use, I like the dog fences:

I use these a lot when I have too many rescues and not enough space. But be sure to provide shade if the sun is hot.

 

[Rue]

If you do carry him by hand ...after picking him up ...carry him with support on top of the carapace and under the plastron (like a hamburger). Don't carry him by the sides if the shell.

Just be careful he doesn't manage to dislodge himself from your hands as he pushes with his feet.

Might not be an issue with a bigger animal (more room for your hands)...but I have to careful with my baby.

 

[dmmj]

imagine a thousand foot giant picking you up talking to you but you can't understand a word he's saying. now you know how tortoises feel like. do not like your tortoise outside without being in some type of container. Far too many tortoises have disappeared with "we just took our eyes off of them for a second." they move very fast when they want to.

 

[missjmg19]

I've heard many, many, "...I only took my eyes off him for a few seconds (to tend the baby, to answer the phone, to swat a mosquito...) and when I looked back, he was nowhere to be seen" So it is always best to have some sort of containment. For temporary use, I like the dog fences:

I use these a lot when I have too many rescues and not enough space. But be sure to provide shade if the sun is hot.

If we take him outside in rubbermaid container, we would put a "hide" in it, along with water dish. How big does container need to be if he'll only be in it for 30 minutes or so?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

I pick up a tortoise with both hands, four fingers underneath on each side and the two thumbs supporting on top.

 

[missjmg19]

I pick up a tortoise with both hands, four fingers underneath on each side and the two thumbs supporting on top.

Thank you....perfect and easy!

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

Ive lost my tortoise (and later found him) from taking him out & taking my eyes off him to tend to my sister.
How big of a container can you find? What kind of hide are we talking about? Some hides that are left out in the sun can overheat and be dangerous for your tortoise.

 

[missjmg19]

Ive lost my tortoise (and later found him) from taking him out & taking my eyes off him to tend to my sister.
How big of a container can you find? What kind of hide are we talking about? Some hides that are left out in the sun can overheat and be dangerous for your tortoise.

Not planning on "leaving" him outside at all since we won't have permanent safe enclosure. I just meant when we take him out for 30 minutes at a time. We would be out there with him....just so he gets natural sunlight. He will live inside otherwise. Since we won't have permanent enclosure outside, just trying to figure out the best/safest way to take him out a few times a week.

 

[missjmg19]

Thank you....perfect and easy!

What are your personal thoughts on best/safest way to take him outside a few times a week? We will NOT leave him alone. So many varying answers. Willing to get what is needed......or do we sit down on grass with him and just stay there for 20 minutes or so?

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

Not planning on "leaving" him outside at all since we won't have permanent safe enclosure. I just meant when we take him out for 30 minutes at a time. We would be out there with him....just so he gets natural sunlight. He will live inside otherwise. Since we won't have permanent enclosure outside, just trying to figure out the best/safest way to take him out a few times a week.

As long as you keep an eye on him, he should be fine in the open area. A container will work if you maybe put a piece of cardboard or wood on 1/3 or half of it to provide shade. And a water dish for him to drink if hes thirsty or gets hot

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

When I take my Tidgy out, I just sit down beside her or follow her around, usually for about an hour at a time.
She has several plants she can hide under and plastic and ceramic pots she can go in when the sun's too hot (which it usually is).
In the garden we also have trees and bushes that provide two layers of shade, so some cooler patches and i gently hose her down when it's very hot. She like this and will sometimes actually stand under the tap when she wants a soak.

 

[missjmg19]

When I take my Tidgy out, I just sit down beside her or follow her around, usually for about an hour at a time.
She has several plants she can hide under and plastic and ceramic pots she can go in when the sun's too hot (which it usually is).
In the garden we also have trees and bushes that provide two layers of shade, so some cooler patches and i gently hose her down when it's very hot. She like this and will sometimes actually stand under the tap when she wants a soak.

Oh....this sounds wonderful!!! Thank you! I would imagine it is much hotter where you are than here. We have some pots, boxes, and a couple more things that we will bring out with us when it's too hot.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Oh....this sounds wonderful!!! Thank you! I would imagine it is much hotter where you are than here. We have some pots, boxes, and a couple more things that we will bring out with us when it's too hot.

Just ensure the objects themselves don't get too hot.

 

[Gillian M]

Not planning on "leaving" him outside at all since we won't have permanent safe enclosure. I just meant when we take him out for 30 minutes at a time. We would be out there with him....just so he gets natural sunlight. He will live inside otherwise. Since we won't have permanent enclosure outside, just trying to figure out the best/safest way to take him out a few times a week.

An indoor enclosure would be much safer. As for the sunlight, well, I take Oli (my beloved Greek tort) out for "walks" when the weather permits. He seems to love it!

 

[Gillian M]

I'm sure this is not the right place to post this, but I couldn't figure out where to go, so here I am! Well, after a couple weeks of soaking up knowledge from you all, we are finally picking up our rescued/adopted russian tortoise tomorrow. He is approximately 5 years old and I will post pictures once home.

One question I never thought to ask, and I can't seem to find anything about this posted..... what is best way to pick up our tortoise and/or carry/hold him?

Thanks for everything!!!

I pick up Oli exactly the same way that Adam (@Tidgy's Dad ) mentioned.

 

[missjmg19]

I pick up Oli exactly the same way that Adam (@Tidgy's Dad ) mentioned.

Thanks......this is our plan! Wish us luck......later this afternoon.

 

[Gillian M]

Thanks......this is our plan! Wish us luck......later this afternoon.

Most welcome, and good luck.