Hello everyone, thank you for taking the time to read this.
Here is the story. I was given a tortoise, it's kind of a long story about all the circumstances, but I didn't really have time to prepare before she got here, it was kind of a surprise thing (not really in a good way). I love tortoises, and thought instead of taking her to the local sanctuary that specializes in exotic type animals (mostly reptiles, turtles and tortoises) that I would try and care for her. She is in pretty bad shape, she has a couple patches on her shell where it is white and looks like the top layer has flaked off a bit, and a gouge that looks like she was bitten by a dog. I don't know who the original caretakers were, but she was passed around from place to place for a while, so I don't really know much of her history.
Here is the problem I have, I was told before she got here that she was a Russian, and I figured I could accommodate a Russian and take care of her, however after seeing her, I think she might be a Desert Tortoise. Now, I live in Northern Nevada, and as long as a Desert Tortoise isn't captured in the wild, you can be given one, so I'm not worried about the legality of the situation. However, if she is a Desert, I do not have an adequate yard to house her, and I'm not allowed to make changes to the yard to build her an enclosure because I rent. So I am wondering if you fine people can help me identify her species, so I know if I need to take her to the sanctuary (who is authorized to take care of and adopt out desert tortoises). Or if I can take care of her myself, as I am pretty sure I could adequately house a Russian. So I am uploading a couple of pictures. Thank you for any help you can offer. It is appreciated.
Here is the story. I was given a tortoise, it's kind of a long story about all the circumstances, but I didn't really have time to prepare before she got here, it was kind of a surprise thing (not really in a good way). I love tortoises, and thought instead of taking her to the local sanctuary that specializes in exotic type animals (mostly reptiles, turtles and tortoises) that I would try and care for her. She is in pretty bad shape, she has a couple patches on her shell where it is white and looks like the top layer has flaked off a bit, and a gouge that looks like she was bitten by a dog. I don't know who the original caretakers were, but she was passed around from place to place for a while, so I don't really know much of her history.
Here is the problem I have, I was told before she got here that she was a Russian, and I figured I could accommodate a Russian and take care of her, however after seeing her, I think she might be a Desert Tortoise. Now, I live in Northern Nevada, and as long as a Desert Tortoise isn't captured in the wild, you can be given one, so I'm not worried about the legality of the situation. However, if she is a Desert, I do not have an adequate yard to house her, and I'm not allowed to make changes to the yard to build her an enclosure because I rent. So I am wondering if you fine people can help me identify her species, so I know if I need to take her to the sanctuary (who is authorized to take care of and adopt out desert tortoises). Or if I can take care of her myself, as I am pretty sure I could adequately house a Russian. So I am uploading a couple of pictures. Thank you for any help you can offer. It is appreciated.
. I would give her a nice warm soak for 20-30 minutes for the next few days to a week. Be sure you don't get the coil type uvb bulbs, they cause eye problems. This could actually be what might be causing the eyes to look swollen, if the owner before you was using this type bulb.
