Setting up for a Russian Tortoise - Constructive comments welcome

[Ink]

Paxton, my box turtle flashed me before he was 2 years old. Ink who is over 18 years old, never flashed me.

 

[David Steere]

It is a male trait to carry the tail to the side like this. Flashing is alright as long as it still goes back in. If it doesn't you would be dealing with prolapse.

Hope I never have to deal with a prolapse. Is that common to get. Anything I can do to prevent that from happening.

Sorry for all the questions but I am worrying like a mom with their first baby!

 

[Tom]

Hope I never have to deal with a prolapse. Is that common to get. Anything I can do to prevent that from happening.

Sorry for all the questions but I am worrying like a mom with their first baby!

Regular soaks, a good diet, and a large enclosure will help to prevent that.

Check, check, and check. You are all good David.

 

[_The_Beast_]

Regular soaks, a good diet, and a large enclosure will help to prevent that.

Check, check, and check. You are all good David.

This is helpful to know, I was also wondering how to reduce the chances of a prolapse.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Regular soaks, a good diet, and a large enclosure will help to prevent that.

Check, check, and check. You are all good David.

I thought this too but waited for someone more knowledgeable to answer. So basically you try to reduce constipation and bladderstones, both of which could cause straining which could lead to a prolapse am I right?

 

[Tom]

I thought this too but waited for someone more knowledgeable to answer. So basically you try to reduce constipation and bladderstones, both of which could cause straining which could lead to a prolapse am I right?

Right as rain my friend.

 

[David Steere]

@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT @Daffodil

Please let know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

Pretty sure only comes out when Sandy urates. Below is the picture I got during Sandy's soak this morning.


Some other pictures of tail. Sorry for the blurry one.



Top view of Sandy. Lots of new growth.

 

[wellington]

Sandy is indeed a boy, but in these pics the tail looks so much smaller.
Pics are so deceiving.
As long as it goes back in there is nothing to worry about. He is one beautiful tortoise.
Oh and once they discover their manhood, they like to expose it a lot for about a month or so. Then they finally stop exposing it as much. It's normal and a male thing lol.

 

[EppsDynasty]

Sorry for all the questions but I am worrying like a mom with their first baby!

Just a tip .... Never loose that "New Mom' concern. I have no problem being a Man and admitting "I worry like a new Mom." As long as you have it the well being of Sandy will always be in the forefront of your life. Once you loose that worry complacency takes it place and that's when it happens, something that you would of never let happen does. I commend you for your "CARE" of Sandy a Beautiful Creature no matter what gender, who deserves the best for his entire life.

 

[David Steere]

Just a tip .... Never loose that "New Mom' concern. I have no problem being a Man and admitting "I worry like a new Mom." As long as you have it the well being of Sandy will always be in the forefront of your life. Once you loose that worry complacency takes it place and that's when it happens, something that you would of never let happen does. I commend you for your "CARE" of Sandy a Beautiful Creature no matter what gender, who deserves the best for his entire life.

Sandy the tortoise is a replacement for my wife who passed away last year. So Sandy is very important to me and I will spoil and make sure Sandy is save FOREVER.

 

[David Steere]

@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT @Daffodil

Please let know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

Finally got my toppers. Never used before.

Question: New with topper type food. Do you mist the grocery food so toppers will stick?

For this winter Escarole will be main food plus one other type of grocery food ( See below for list ). Will supplement as follows each day.

Monday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• Herbal Tortoise Hay

Tuesday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• "Food Fixer" Tortoise Food Topper

Wednesday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• Repti Calcium

Thursday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• Zoo Med Grassland Tortoise Food

Friday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• Mazuri

Saturday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• Herbal Tortoise Hay

Sunday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• "Food Fixer" Tortoise Food Topper

Other Grocery Type

• Endive
• Spring Mix
• Arugula
• Cilantro
• Mustard Greens
• Turnip Greens
• Collard Greens
• Kale
• Romaine
• Butter Lettuce

ANY CONCERNS WITH THIS FOOD SCHEDULE?

During the summer have Grapes, Violets, Hosta, Spirea, Dandelions, Forthysia. Will add to this selection indoors and outdoors over the years so Sandy get a wide range of food.

 

[Ink]

Have you ever looked up Kapidolo farms? I feed different toppers to my tortoise and turtle

 

[Tom]

@Tom @SinLA @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Ink @Cathie G @Yvonne G @jaizei @Pippen's Pal @Kala @ecachuh @The_Four_Toed_Edward @TechnoCheese @_The_Beast_ @EppsDynasty @LanaJoy @Jillgp @Anastasia 22 @SocialD @ZEROPILOT @Daffodil

Please let know if you notice any concerns or questions concerning Sandy.

Finally got my toppers. Never used before.

Question: New with topper type food. Do you mist the grocery food so toppers will stick?

For this winter Escarole will be main food plus one other type of grocery food ( See below for list ). Will supplement as follows each day.

Monday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• Herbal Tortoise Hay

Tuesday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• "Food Fixer" Tortoise Food Topper

Wednesday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• Repti Calcium

Thursday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• Zoo Med Grassland Tortoise Food

Friday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• Mazuri

Saturday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• Herbal Tortoise Hay

Sunday:

• Escarole
• Other Grocery Type
• "Food Fixer" Tortoise Food Topper

Other Grocery Type

• Endive
• Spring Mix
• Arugula
• Cilantro
• Mustard Greens
• Turnip Greens
• Collard Greens
• Kale
• Romaine
• Butter Lettuce

ANY CONCERNS WITH THIS FOOD SCHEDULE?

During the summer have Grapes, Violets, Hosta, Spirea, Dandelions, Forthysia. Will add to this selection indoors and outdoors over the years so Sandy get a wide range of food.

I'd just make escarole one of the ones in that rotation of greens. I wouldn't feed it every day. I wouldn't feed anything every day.

Wetting the greens helps, but is not required.

Get more toppers from Kapidolofarms.com. I like the moringa, echinacea, dandelions, ginkgo, mulberry leaves, hibiscus, marshmallow, nettle, raspberry leaves, plantain, and more.

 

[Myrna the RES]

Hello as I am late to the party, but from other threads hibiscus and dandelions are good foods, as well as plantain

 

[Myrna the RES]

Oh, I didn't see @Tom's post

 

[Anastasia 22]

Sandy is so beautiful and healthy
My guys love prickly pears. I give it to them once a week. ... Maybe Sandy would like as well...

 

[David Steere]

I'd just make escarole one of the ones in that rotation of greens. I wouldn't feed it every day. I wouldn't feed anything every day.

Wetting the greens helps, but is not required.

Get more toppers from Kapidolofarms.com. I like the moringa, echinacea, dandelions, ginkgo, mulberry leaves, hibiscus, marshmallow, nettle, raspberry leaves, plantain, and more.

Hi @Tom

Hope I did not effect Sandy's health. Sandy really likes Escarole so figured it would be okay.

I will adjust. I was going off your care sheet.
If you must use grocery store foods I like to favor spring mix, endive and escarole heavily.
Will get more variety from Kapidolofarms.com. Moringa, echinacea, dandelions, ginkgo, mulberry leaves, hibiscus, marshmallow, nettle, raspberry leaves, plantain, and more. Plus other foods as people have suggested.

Money is a little rough due to the holidays. Got 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Plenty of people so when I pass Sandy will be in good hands. I hope. Been slowly having the children watch me in what is needed daily. Sometime Sandy get soaked twice a day since I soak Sandy at 6am each morning. Kids are still sleeping .

Stress it only takes an hour out of your day with the rest on autopilot.

 

[David Steere]

Sandy's Growth for year 2024
Hatch Date: 09-01-2023

Month	Age ( Months)	Weight ( Grams )	Length ( Inches )
April	07	45.5	2.375
May	08	54.5	2.375
June	09	86	3
July	10	121	3.25
August	11	160	3.5
September	12	211.5	4
October	13	246.5	4.25
November	14	285.5	4.375
December	15	324.5	4.5

 

[Tom]

Hi @Tom

Hope I did not effect Sandy's health. Sandy really likes Escarole so figured it would be okay.

I will adjust. I was going off your care sheet.
If you must use grocery store foods I like to favor spring mix, endive and escarole heavily.
Will get more variety from Kapidolofarms.com. Moringa, echinacea, dandelions, ginkgo, mulberry leaves, hibiscus, marshmallow, nettle, raspberry leaves, plantain, and more. Plus other foods as people have suggested.

Money is a little rough due to the holidays. Got 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Plenty of people so when I pass Sandy will be in good hands. I hope. Been slowly having the children watch me in what is needed daily. Sometime Sandy get soaked twice a day since I soak Sandy at 6am each morning. Kids are still sleeping .

Stress it only takes an hour out of your day with the rest on autopilot.

You definitely haven't harmed Sandy.

I try to word things carefully. I do like to favor those three items heavily when the better weeds and leaves are scarce, and add in the amendments, but I never said only feed one of these every day. I suppose "favor heavily" can be interpreted many ways. Luckily, any interpretation of that statement won't do any harm to a tortoise, as long as all the other tips are also followed, which you certainly have. Your routine is working well, as we can clearly see in your pictures and weight charts.

Money may be rough at the moment, but you are rich in family, and anyone getting on in the years knows how much more important than money that is. You may not be a billionaire, but you've won the family lottery. I envy your riches.

 

[David Steere]

You definitely haven't harmed Sandy.

I try to word things carefully. I do like to favor those three items heavily when the better weeds and leaves are scarce, and add in the amendments, but I never said only feed one of these every day. I suppose "favor heavily" can be interpreted many ways. Luckily, any interpretation of that statement won't do any harm to a tortoise, as long as all the other tips are also followed, which you certainly have. Your routine is working well, as we can clearly see in your pictures and weight charts.

Money may be rough at the moment, but you are rich in family, and anyone getting on in the years knows how much more important than money that is. You may not be a billionaire, but you've won the family lottery. I envy your riches.

You are so correct. I feel I am the luckiest person on the planet! Must of did something right since everyone still lives in same town and visit many times a week.

ALWAYS a full house.