Hi, I found this website called "LLLreptiles" in an add on this website. I clicked into it and searched tortoise just for fun. It gave me a whole list of different tortoises you can buy from there, and it showed me one about a Male Russian tortoise, BUT MISSING A FOOT! My heart instantly went out for this little guy and in my mind I told my self "I HAD to get him." Now I'm thinking no one wants him, I need to get him.. Well he is only $30 and I found a nice tank, But I don't know if I should get him. Is it healthy? Or safe? Will it be even harder to raise? He is small right now maybe a little bit smaller then my Sulcata. I haven't seen pictures of it yet. I live in Florida.
Should I...?
- Thread starter Camryn
- Start date
This animal should show very little to any differences of one with 4 feet. I have a box turtle with 3 feet. Very difficult to know unless you pick him up and stare at it. Lots of people have soft spots for these kinds of animals, and he sure will find a home I'm sure.
Well, an animal impulse buy is never a good idea. Forget about the fact he is missing a foot, and think about YOU and if you can take care of a tortoise and provide him with a good OUTDOOR habitat, a place that's safe and secure, where he can live a good life. If you can provide all this, then get the tortoise. That's a great price, LLL is a good place to buy from and missing a foot won't cause the tortoise a problem.
if you can take on the task then buy the little guy, but dont do it out of remorse , but any ways does it say how he ended up with 3 feet ? i bet the tort will be just as good as a 4 legged tort, but do it for the right reasons!
kmartin
Member
Missing limbs can make mobility an issue, I have a rescue that was mauled by a dog that is a double amputee. He gets around rather slow and he is clumsy, but his care is the same as the others. He is perfectly healthy and likes to roam and dig just as much as the others that I have had since hatching. The damage seems to be cosmetic more than debilitating. The real issue is going to be whether you have space for him, Russians are very active, as well as a sulcata?
Well, an animal impulse buy is never a good idea. Forget about the fact he is missing a foot, and think about YOU and if you can take care of a tortoise and provide him with a good OUTDOOR habitat, a place that's safe and secure, where he can live a good life. If you can provide all this, then get the tortoise. That's a great price, LLL is a good place to buy from and missing a foot won't cause the tortoise a problem.
Missing limbs can make mobility an issue, I have a rescue that was mauled by a dog that is a double amputee. He gets around rather slow and he is clumsy, but his care is the same as the others. He is perfectly healthy and likes to roam and dig just as much as the others that I have had since hatching. The damage seems to be cosmetic more than debilitating. The real issue is going to be whether you have space for him, Russians are very active, as well as a sulcata?
Well, an animal impulse buy is never a good idea. Forget about the fact he is missing a foot, and think about YOU and if you can take care of a tortoise and provide him with a good OUTDOOR habitat, a place that's safe and secure, where he can live a good life. If you can provide all this, then get the tortoise. That's a great price, LLL is a good place to buy from and missing a foot won't cause the tortoise a problem.
Thank you all so much this is great advice! I would love another tortoise and I am learning lots about Russian tortoises. Im glad to know its a good site I was a bit worried. I don't know if im going to get him yet, but its totally worth a try!
As has been said, please don't impulse buy him out of remorse alone. If you want a second tortoise and have the space and resources to do it, then power to you. But I doubt this guy will have a hard time finding a home.. Many people have a soft spot for "special needs" babies!
I have a three legged Russian baby here, who I took in a year ago. S/he gets around very well. It doesn't affect his growth. Very little impact on mobility. I wish I had space for another permanent resident, or I'd be dreadfully tempted to adopt that LLL baby myself!
I have a three legged Russian baby here, who I took in a year ago. S/he gets around very well. It doesn't affect his growth. Very little impact on mobility. I wish I had space for another permanent resident, or I'd be dreadfully tempted to adopt that LLL baby myself!
Haha, good to know. Thanks, glad your tortoise is growing up fine!
Ah, I didn't even see your post before mine! Glad to hear you're taking the time to think it over instead of just jumping in. The site said he's a 4.5" LTC, yeah? He's not full grown yet, but he is an adult. He'll need a lot more space than a baby would need, so keep that in mind. Most tanks aren't going to be adequate at his size.
The site said he's a 4.5" LTC, yeah? He's not full grown yet, but he is an adult. He'll need a lot more space than a baby would need, so keep that in mind. Most tanks aren't going to be adequate at his size. 
A tank? You do realize that a tank is probably way too small for him? Just to be sure what size is it? Are you able to provide him with a large outdoor enclosure and also one for your sulcata once he gets big? (looking at the long run, not just the today type picture).
Ditto.
Be aware that older wild caught Russians are often asymptomatic disease carriers. This usually isn't a problem, just make sure to always keep the new tortoise separate from your old one. Have dedicated utensils and equipment for each species and be careful about any sort of cross contamination.
Good luck to you if you decide to go for it.
Good luck to you if you decide to go for it.
When I mean tank, I mean a 50 gallon plastic bin. Its actually a pretty good enclosure for a smaller tortoise. We are in the process of making an outdoor for my sulcata right now
He is pretty small too. I really wanted to know if it was healthy to buy a 3 legged tortoise. Thank you all for your help!Similar threads
- Locked
