You don't need to buy anything. Just use something around the house with a known weight. For example: Four quarters weigh 22.68 grams.
Setting up for a Russian Tortoise - Constructive comments welcome
- Thread starter David Steere
- Start date
A nickel weighs 5 grams and a 1 dollar bill weighs 1 gram........Easy as that, no need for special weights to calculate. Nickels and dollars differ minutely, get a nickel that you use always and that is how you'll know if it's accurate. Don't tip your scale upside down or toss it around and you'll have no issues with accuracy. You should as well "Zero" your scale after each use, just an extra step to ensure it's always right.
In weighing our Jo Jo i tried to weigh at the same time of day always, before any soaking or eating first thing in the morning. There would be a little variation (Pee) but it worked out quite well.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Active Member
Tortoises can get fat. A fat tortoise will have visible over hang on the back and front. Their limbs might be "puffy" and they will have trouble retracting in to the shell. Here is a link to a old thread with pictures of a overweight Russian tortoise: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/overweight-tort-what-to-look-for.5311/ I bet you will notice if yours is getting overweight, though I doubt it will in your care
I think you'd like a cell phone if you start simple with a halfway decent camera in it . It looks like you'll have grands to help you with it. The camera is my favorite thing on a cell phone. And maybe start simple with your plants too. First plant things you know your little Russian likes and add more as you get to know the darling. If you plant some of the suggestions just plant maybe a couple of each at first. My Russian is a picky little person. I have opuntias he doesn't like. Aloe he doesn't like. Rose of Sharon he doesn't like etc etc etc if you see what I mean. It won't hurt to have safe plants in the enclosure but if you want edibles you'll have to figure out what the little one likes. They do have their own favorites.
David Steere
Member
Finally got my grand daughter to take some pictures of Sandy! Sandy thanks you for helping make the enclosure so comfortable!
_The_Beast_
Active Member
Swoon! Sandy is such a cutie 😍 Thank you to you and your granddaughter for the pics 🥰
It is not common and many, if not most, cases of "fat" tortoises are actually edema, not adipose tissue. We see that frequently with young sulcatas here on the forum. "Is my tortoise fat?" is the question we get, while looking at a picture of a baby showing edema.Tortoises can get fat. A fat tortoise will have visible over hang on the back and front. Their limbs might be "puffy" and they will have trouble retracting in to the shell. Here is a link to a old thread with pictures of a overweight Russian tortoise: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/overweight-tort-what-to-look-for.5311/ I bet you will notice if yours is getting overweight, though I doubt it will in your care
Did you read the thread you linked? Looks like the tortoise's carapace failed to keep up with the rest of its body for some reason. It looked fat because its carapace was too small. That sort of thing can happen when people don't care for them correctly. That tortoise was a rescue, so no one knows what happened to it to make it look like that. That is one example from 2008. I don't recall seeing other examples in the 14 years I've been on the forum, and I've seen no examples in my travels around the world either. As I stated previously, it IS possible with incorrect diet, temperatures and housing to make one get fat, but it is exceedingly rare.
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The_Four_Toed_Edward
Active Member
Yes you are right, fat tortoises are extremely rare and usually come from rescue scenarios with improper growth and diet (like Russians being fed canned cat food or something bizarre, being overweight is not the only problem at that point). So I read the thread I linked, but I guess my English skills aren't always on point when I am trying to get my message across
I was just trying to say that I doubt OPs tortoise is fat. I also should have said that swollen limbs and inability to retrieve into the shell is usually caused by other health issues and it is a symptom every tortoise parent will probably notice...
David Steere
Member
Another question. Just want to get an idea from everyone's experience.
A question a day keeps the doctors away I guess.
With a current 48"x72" enclosure and with a 2 1/2" tortoise long how often would everyone think a COMPLETE enclosure change would be required?
A question a day keeps the doctors away I guess.
With a current 48"x72" enclosure and with a 2 1/2" tortoise long how often would everyone think a COMPLETE enclosure change would be required?
- Do you think 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months or even more?
- Currently Sandra usually pee's once, and pops like 3 or 4 times when soaking in the morning. Spot check enclosure and only notice pee and poop near food dish. But sure I could miss finding anything.
- Not sure how the got into enclosure but I have noticed Pillbugs are present. My understanding is that they are a natural "Cleanup The Enclosure" bug is that correct?
- I just want to make sure Sandy always has a nice place to live and I do not create a toxic environment by thinking things look great but under the surface they are not great but terrible for Sandy.
Alex and the Redfoot
Well-Known Member
1. It depends. But usually with timely spot cleaning it's a year or more. As Sandy grows you might want to switch coco coir for orchid bark, probably there is no need to do it earlier.
2. I doubt, you will miss any "landmines" - they smell strong enough not to be missed. Also, you may do a substrate "turnover" (once in 1-2 months), mixing bottom and top layers and handpacking again. During soaks maybe the most suitable time.
3. Yes, they are fine to have in substrate and springtails too. Some keepers put them on purpose, so you are lucky
4. That's what we all try to do - to do the best and avoid harm. There some definite reasons for substrate change - parasites and mold. With a good care both are unlikely.
2. I doubt, you will miss any "landmines" - they smell strong enough not to be missed. Also, you may do a substrate "turnover" (once in 1-2 months), mixing bottom and top layers and handpacking again. During soaks maybe the most suitable time.
3. Yes, they are fine to have in substrate and springtails too. Some keepers put them on purpose, so you are lucky
4. That's what we all try to do - to do the best and avoid harm. There some definite reasons for substrate change - parasites and mold. With a good care both are unlikely.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Active Member
Do you mean when your tortoise will be needing a bigger enclosure?
David Steere
Member
No I mean get the old substrate out, sterilize and replace with new.
The substrate will take months if not a year before needing to be changed. Spot cleaning and flipping it is all that needs to be done. This is just my way of doing it, there may be others with more expertise.
I don't change my substrate often because my Russian is outside in his enclosure during his active time of the year except at night.( You can just clean the substrate and keep it or use it for mulch) . During the winter I can spot clean.
David Steere
Member
Anyone ever use Vintage Tortoise Rescue & Boutique to buy seeds?
David Steere
Member
@Tom @Alex and the Redfoot @wellington @Yvonne G
I just noticed something today that I wanted your opinion about. This morning while I was soaking I noticed the front part of the shell did not looks like the other parts.
Looking back at old pictures I noticed it was always there. Not sure what made me notice today.
Question: Am I doing wrong? Thoughts?
I just noticed something today that I wanted your opinion about. This morning while I was soaking I noticed the front part of the shell did not looks like the other parts.
Looking back at old pictures I noticed it was always there. Not sure what made me notice today.
Question: Am I doing wrong? Thoughts?
Looks fine, nothing to worry about.
Totally normal.
David Steere
Member
@Tom @Alex and the Redfoot
Couple of more stupid questions.
1. Is this normal? Checking on Sandy I found her under basking light. Head/neck completely stretched out on ground with eyes shut. Reminded me of a dragon. Hated to do it but I had to pick her up to see if she was okay.
I think she was okay. Placed her on food tray and she stated to eat, later back under basking light.
2. Sandy digs completely under substrate for about 12 hours a days. She pops back up by 7am when it starts to heat up and lights are on. Walks back and forth at least 4 times to eat for the other 12 hours.
One time Sandy dug in a way I thought she would get stuck. It was in a area where basking rock and wall ran into each other. Backing rock is sitting on floor so Sandy can not dig under rock. Should I just leave Sandy to do what she wants? Usually by the time I check she is already buried. This time I caught her while still digging. Her back feet was way off the ground so I had to pick her out of the hole. Could not help myself. Should I just leave her alone?
Couple of more stupid questions.
1. Is this normal? Checking on Sandy I found her under basking light. Head/neck completely stretched out on ground with eyes shut. Reminded me of a dragon. Hated to do it but I had to pick her up to see if she was okay.
I think she was okay. Placed her on food tray and she stated to eat, later back under basking light.
2. Sandy digs completely under substrate for about 12 hours a days. She pops back up by 7am when it starts to heat up and lights are on. Walks back and forth at least 4 times to eat for the other 12 hours.
One time Sandy dug in a way I thought she would get stuck. It was in a area where basking rock and wall ran into each other. Backing rock is sitting on floor so Sandy can not dig under rock. Should I just leave Sandy to do what she wants? Usually by the time I check she is already buried. This time I caught her while still digging. Her back feet was way off the ground so I had to pick her out of the hole. Could not help myself. Should I just leave her alone?
