turtle feeding?

[Lstrayer92]

i just got a russian tortoise 2 days ago from a petstore not entirely sure on age (hes still real small) or if wc or not but hes a shy little thing, and i had a few questions on feeding ive been reading other posts on this forum (which is why i signed up) and i was just wondering about how long til my little guy will actually eat? i know he its normal for them to be shy and everything while he is getting used to his new environment but it still scares me a tad that he hasnt eaten or went to the bathroom since i brought him home? i have been giving him a fresh supply of romain lettuce every morning with a small carrot and today i tried a small apple slice to see if a sweat treat would maybe interest him into eating but it hasnt worked? i was just wondering if this is normal for him to not eat while getting adjusted and if anyone knows of a rough estimate on how long it usually takes russian tortoises to adjust. i know russians are fairly quick at adjusting but its different with every turtle but not to ramble on lol. any suggestions or advise?

oh by the way i live in central pa so the climate right now is in the 50s, i have an indoor enclosure with plenty of room to roam around (although he mostly just lays in one spot haha!) at least until warmer weather is here. i have a substrate of bed a beast i believe its called.. kept at about 25-30% humidity. a basking area of ranging between 87-92 degrees and the rest of the enclosure is around 70-75 degrees. he has a hide box (half log type) and a fresh supply of water to soak/ drink at the cooler end of encloser. (just some info)

 

[Yvonne G]

If your russian (steppe) tortoise is the one pictured in your avatar, then he's almost full grown. I'd say he's mature, but has a little bit of growing to do. He won't get much bigger than that. Also, if he's in a guinea pig cage, it's not big enough. They need a lot of room to roam around.

Just put a glob of greens as big as he is. He should finish it all and ask for more.

 

[wellington]

Ditto and I would give him some plain dirt to burrow into. Little easier the wood chips. You could even mix the two.

 

[Lstrayer92]

Yes he is pictured above and he is in an over sized rabbit cage just until I can get him outside as its still a little chilly out. He has plenty I've room it's about the size of a 50 gallon Rubbermaid tub which I heard was good to use... But it's only temporary as stated before. I thought he was going to at least double in size but I guess that's good. But thank both of you for the advise I will be sure to take it on consideration to see what he prefers I can tell he's a picky one already! But anyway should I be worried and if no is there a point I should get worried at?

 

[saberfire06]

I just purchased a Russian tort about a week ago and he acted similar to yours. He did not eat at first but now he cant seem to get enough. I would just give him a little time and I bet he will come around.

 

[Lstrayer92]

I just purchased a Russian tort about a week ago and he acted similar to yours. He did not eat at first but now he cant seem to get enough. I would just give him a little time and I bet he will come around.

He finally ate this morning I guess all I had to do was give him time to adjust lol. Thank you though! Your first russian?

 

[saberfire06]

I just purchased a Russian tort about a week ago and he acted similar to yours. He did not eat at first but now he cant seem to get enough. I would just give him a little time and I bet he will come around.

He finally ate this morning I guess all I had to do was give him time to adjust lol. Thank you though! Your first russian?

Yep my first! I'm glad yours started eating I bet you are starting to replax a little now right? lol I was super nervous the first few days worring about mine.

 

[Lstrayer92]

I just purchased a Russian tort about a week ago and he acted similar to yours. He did not eat at first but now he cant seem to get enough. I would just give him a little time and I bet he will come around.

He finally ate this morning I guess all I had to do was give him time to adjust lol. Thank you though! Your first russian?

Yep my first! I'm glad yours started eating I bet you are starting to replax a little now right? lol I was super nervous the first few days worring about mine.

Yes! I have calmed down so much! He's a little fatty now all he does is eat haha! I guess making up for lost time... But congrats on your russian!