the new russian

[Kali 55]

Okay so I finally got some pics of my new 1.5 yr old russian. He/ she definatly has a bit of pyramiding, probably from improper diet, but generally seems to be in good health. Nice hard shell, active, and good apetite. He/ she is about 3.5", anyone got a guess on it's sex? The anal scutes are definatly a prominent V shape and little short tail but is it still to young to tell? I also had a question about it's plastron. There seems to be two symmetrical "dents" in the center, I tried to capture it in the pictures but you can't see it too well. They arnt soft and squishy, they're hard like the rest of the shell. I havent seen this on any other russian before, any thoughts? I'm a little worried about it.

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

That's a really cute little tortie you have there! Judging by the short tail with a star-shaped cloaca and V-shaped anal scutes, I would say it's a female. I don't know if that will shift toward a male morphology over time, though.

As for those dents, I've never seen that before. However, based on what Kristina told me about my Russians, I'm wondering if it's a mark from being piled up in a crate for shipment here from the wild (See "Anal scute convergence"). Your tortoise doesn't seem to have shell rot, which is good of course, but those dimples are in a similar place on the plastron where my Russians did have shell rot, apparently from being shipped under poor conditions. Hopefully it's not from that, but simply from how the shell is growing instead.

 

[Kali 55]

I was wondering the same thing, I was told that it was CB, but was pretty doubtful of that all along and after looking at her shell Im pretty convinced that she is an import. Either that or she was kept in pretty bad conditions. I am going to get her into the vet this week and get her checked out and treated for parasites just in case.

 

[wrmitchell22]

She is adorable and I am sure you will take great care of her, whats her name?

 

[dmmj]

Actually since it is slightly pyramided I would say it is CB all WC imports I have ever seen and I have seen a lot. they are not pyramided. Looks pretty good tho nice looking tort. Even though it is a little small to sex I will lean toward female also, because of the short tail. but that could change as it grows up.

 

[Tortoise Hub]

I agree that it looks captive bred as well the top of the shell looks really clean and pyramided for a wc russian.

 

[Kali 55]

That's interesting and very true now that I think about it. I have never seen a WC with any pyramiding. Either way, I love the little tort to death. Poor girl went through one hell of a shipping experience because the IDIOT that sent her to me didn't pack her correctly at ALL. There was no styrofoam on the bottom of the box, barely any packing material around her container, AND he didn't even tape her container shut! So when I opened the box, she was out of her container, on the bottom of the cardboard box, nothing to protect her from being thrown around during shipping. I could'nt believe it, who knows how long she was like that. I'm pretty livid about it.

wrmitchell22- Assuming it's female I named her Savannah

 

[wrmitchell22]

That's interesting and very true now that I think about it. I have never seen a WC with any pyramiding. Either way, I love the little tort to death. Poor girl went through one hell of a shipping experience because the IDIOT that sent her to me didn't pack her correctly at ALL. There was no styrofoam on the bottom of the box, barely any packing material around her container, AND he didn't even tape her container shut! So when I opened the box, she was out of her container, on the bottom of the cardboard box, nothing to protect her from being thrown around during shipping. I could'nt believe it, who knows how long she was like that. I'm pretty livid about it.

wrmitchell22- Assuming it's female I named her Savannah

Poor girl/boy must have had quite a trip I love the name! So glad she can settle in now and relax

 

[Tortoise Hub]

That's interesting and very true now that I think about it. I have never seen a WC with any pyramiding. Either way, I love the little tort to death. Poor girl went through one hell of a shipping experience because the IDIOT that sent her to me didn't pack her correctly at ALL. There was no styrofoam on the bottom of the box, barely any packing material around her container, AND he didn't even tape her container shut! So when I opened the box, she was out of her container, on the bottom of the cardboard box, nothing to protect her from being thrown around during shipping. I could'nt believe it, who knows how long she was like that. I'm pretty livid about it.

wrmitchell22- Assuming it's female I named her Savannah

Wow thats terrible who knows what could have happened to her the whole time during the shipping process. I would definitely tell the shipper about it if you havent done so already.

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

Yeah, based on pyramiding I wouldn't think it's WC. Maybe those marks on the plastron are simply due to that bad shipping experience from the breeder then? Doesn't seem serious, though. Hope she's doing well. Looks like a real cutie.

 

[dmarcus]

Thats is a good looking tortoise..

 

[gmayor]

aww she is cute and little! Oh but yeah from the shortness of her tail i would say female as well. Hope you have fun with her good luck