gia474
Member
Hi everyone! I’ve been on here for awhile now mostly for my box turtles and aquatics but am now officially a Russian tortoise Mama and we’re all already completely in love with the little guy!! 
Long story short— someone online was desperate to get rid of him. I sent a message saying I had other turtles and would be open to taking him in (he was very close-by) and he would be well cared for but I just couldn’t pay the asking price. He said there was plenty of other interest and so that was that. Well, about a week later he messaged me that he still had nobody that would take him and would like me to have him since he knew I was at least familiar with turtles. So off I went to scoop him up from a sad, small and empty cage with instructions to simply feed him a handful of spring mix daily. He said he had gotten him from someone else for his daughter who no longer wanted him. That’s all I know. I have (in the now two or three days since we’ve gotten him) spent over 9 hours researching (no exaggeration 
). I assume he was at some point wild caught for various reasons but he is just such a sweet, mellow guy with a voracious appetite! The previous owner said he paces a lot and “flips over a lot” but I have not witnessed anything like that. I’d love ANY input anyone has based off the pictures attached. He seems healthy— clear eyes, active, regular elimination, nails and beak seem good and has so far eaten everything I’ve offered (spring mix, escarole, dried flower mix for tortoises, a little fresh ground Timothy hay and topped with a multi one day and calcium the other. My only tiny concern / question is the top of his shell sort of looks like it has chips in it? Doesn’t seem deep or infected or anything but I’m just wondering why? It’s smooth and looks good otherwise. Also wondering if I could get a solid confirmation that he is indeed a “he”. Lol. Thanks so much everyone! And yes I’ve read every single thing I could find on here regarding Russian care and appreciate all the time and effort you’ve all put into making these great little guides! Thanks! 
Long story short— someone online was desperate to get rid of him. I sent a message saying I had other turtles and would be open to taking him in (he was very close-by) and he would be well cared for but I just couldn’t pay the asking price. He said there was plenty of other interest and so that was that. Well, about a week later he messaged me that he still had nobody that would take him and would like me to have him since he knew I was at least familiar with turtles. So off I went to scoop him up from a sad, small and empty cage with instructions to simply feed him a handful of spring mix daily. He said he had gotten him from someone else for his daughter who no longer wanted him. That’s all I know. I have (in the now two or three days since we’ve gotten him) spent over 9 hours researching (no exaggeration ). I assume he was at some point wild caught for various reasons but he is just such a sweet, mellow guy with a voracious appetite! The previous owner said he paces a lot and “flips over a lot” but I have not witnessed anything like that. I’d love ANY input anyone has based off the pictures attached. He seems healthy— clear eyes, active, regular elimination, nails and beak seem good and has so far eaten everything I’ve offered (spring mix, escarole, dried flower mix for tortoises, a little fresh ground Timothy hay and topped with a multi one day and calcium the other. My only tiny concern / question is the top of his shell sort of looks like it has chips in it? Doesn’t seem deep or infected or anything but I’m just wondering why? It’s smooth and looks good otherwise. Also wondering if I could get a solid confirmation that he is indeed a “he”. Lol. Thanks so much everyone! And yes I’ve read every single thing I could find on here regarding Russian care and appreciate all the time and effort you’ve all put into making these great little guides! Thanks! 
