What tortoise is this?

[Curious-cat]

Hi , I found a turtle out on the road (i'm in France Paris) and I don't know what species it is? I was thinking Hermann? (It probably escaped someones yard...)

 

[Curious-cat]

Actualy it might be a russian one...

 

[Lyn W]

HI and welcome,
I would say Greek or Russian but I'm not great at IDing torts so I could be completely wrong.
Have you asked around the area to see if anyone has lost one or maybe put up some signs?
He's very small to be lost though, maybe he was grabbed from someone's yard by a bird or fox etc and dropped.
Paris is very busy but wondering if he has hatched in some park. Keep your eye out for others nearby - they won't last long on the roads.
Meanwhile there are good caresheets here which will tell you about diet and temps etc he will need some warmth and they are great climbers so I would move that log or he'll be off again!
Well done for finding him and taking him in, even if you can't keep him or find his owners I'm sure you'll be able to find a safe home for him.

 

[SweetGreekTorts]

That's an adorable little Russian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii).

 

[Curious-cat]

HI and welcome,
I would say Greek or Russian but I'm not great at IDing torts so I could be completely wrong.
Have you asked around the area to see if anyone has lost one or maybe put up some signs?
He's very small to be lost though, maybe he was grabbed from someone's yard by a bird or fox etc and dropped.
Paris is very busy but wondering if he has hatched in some park. Keep your eye out for others nearby - they won't last long on the roads.
Meanwhile there are good caresheets here which will tell you about diet and temps etc he will need some warmth and they are great climbers so I would move that log or he'll be off again!
Well done for finding him and taking him in, even if you can't keep him or find his owners I'm sure you'll be able to find a safe home for him.

Thank you vert much for your reply I'll go look at these care sheets you mentioned.
There is something I noticed though, it would seem its shell has an inwards dip along the top? As If it was slightly deformed?
(I will also look around tout see if anyone lost one... Just in case. We do have a few birds of prey not to far away and foxes too, so that might be how it got there, as you say.)

 

[Curious-cat]

That's an adorable little Russian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii).

Thank you (and it is adorable )

 

[Lyn W]

Thinking about it it's probably too cold in Paris for any stray torts to lay and hatch out successfully, so he probably either is lost or been kidnapped by a bird, dog or fox etc. Good luck with your search for an owner - or with your new pet???

 

[Curious-cat]

Thinking about it it's probably too cold in Paris for any stray torts to lay and hatch out successfully, so he probably either is lost or been kidnapped by a bird, dog or fox etc. Good luck with your search for an owner - or with your new pet???

Hopefully a new pet? Just have to convince my father. And I want to be sure I'm not keeping someones tortoise if they are missing it.
Thanks again

 

[Lyn W]

Hopefully a new pet? Just have to convince my father. And I want to be sure I'm not keeping someones tortoise if they are missing it.
Thanks again

They are not cheap to set up but once you have everything in place it's easier.
Have a look at the Enclosures thread for ideas.
It would be great if you can keep him and you'll get plenty of help here.
My tort was found and I had a very steep learning curve to climb to find out all about torts but this forum has helped me all the way!
If you can keep him don't go spending a fortune in pet stores until you've checked what you need here it could save you a lot of money!! Pet stores are out to make profit and will often sell unsuitable or unsafe equipment.

 

[Curious-cat]

They are not cheap to set up but once you have everything in place it's easier.
Have a look at the Enclosures thread for ideas.
It would be great if you can keep him and you'll get plenty of help here.
My tort was found and I had a very steep learning curve to climb to find out all about torts but this forum has helped me all the way!
If you can keep him don't go spending a fortune in pet stores until you've checked what you need here it could save you a lot of money!! Pet stores are out to make profit and will often sell unsuitable or unsafe equipment.

Ok! I just found out about this Forum but I can already see people are quite reactive so that is nice just need to figure out how to use it. I certainly hope to look after it correctly if I can keep it.
Thank you for the advice, I was wondering if I should go ask a pet store what I needed to look after it but it is probably best to look it up here first. I kind of know what I'm getting into as I have always loved reptiles and often look up how to care for them but better safe then sorry.
I'll try to update you on the situation if you like? (If I don't forget)

 

[Lyn W]

Ok! I just found out about this Forum but I can already see people are quite reactive so that is nice just need to figure out how to use it. I certainly hope to look after it correctly if I can keep it.
Thank you for the advice, I was wondering if I should go ask a pet store what I needed to look after it but it is probably best to look it up here first. I kind of know what I'm getting into as I have always loved reptiles and often look up how to care for them but better safe than sorry.
I'll try to update you on the situation if you like? (If I don't forget)

You won't find a better forum for up to date information and advice so look no further and ask as many questions as you want.There is always someone to help'
It's still very early for the US members but there'll be plenty of others along later.
Yes please do let us know. I would love to see a happy ending for this tort!!

 

[TechnoCheese]

Please give this a read-
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Definitely don’t go to a pet store, lol. They often don’t have much of an idea of what they’re talking about.

Keep in mind that this tortoise will require an enclosure at least close to 8x4 feet as an adult.

 

[Curious-cat]

Please give this a read-
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Definitely don’t go to a pet store, lol. They often don’t have much of an idea of what they’re talking about.

Keep in mind that this tortoise will require an enclosure at least close to 8x4 feet as an adult.

Thank you And I know x) I'm currently trying to find a good home for it and I am aware of the large enclosure needs. For the moment my biggest worry is the tortoises temperature needs as it is still cold at night and not sunny everyday, luckily last to days I was able to have it in the sun (with shade) and it has been eating correctly so I'm guessing that's a good sign . (I bring it in at night as it goes down to 7C° outside)
Hopefully it eating properly means it is not to stressed?

 

[Ray--Opo]

Welcome, someone correct me if I am wrong. Should the little guy be soaked in warm water daily for 1/2 hour?

 

[Lyn W]

So Dad said no to keeping him?
That's a shame but at least you saved him from certain death on the road.
Maybe a local vet can advise on finding him a home, or an animal sanctuary may take him.
Yes he will need some warmth as he is a baby....use the caresheet as a guide for temps.
I'll try to find out the best thing for you to use without having to buy specialist lamps, but if your house is warm day and night he may be OK.
When he is outside if you have something like a wire mesh cover to put on top of his box to stop him getting out and predators getting in the that would keep him safe.
Also if you have any dogs or cats please keep them away for the tort because they could kill him if they think he is a toy.
If you can, give him a soak in shallow luke warm water in a bowl so he can't climb out.
He may wee and poop in the water if he does give him fresh water and let him soak for a little while longer about 10 mins maybe, but don't let the water get cold - keep taking some out and adding in warm.
It is a good sign that he is eating, well done so far!!

 

[Lyn W]

Welcome, someone correct me if I am wrong. Should the little guy be soaked in warm water daily for 1/2 hour?

You read my mind Ray!

 

[Lyn W]

@Yvonne G is a very experienced tortoise rescuer in the US.
I'm calling on her to advise you.

 

[Lyn W]

PS I was just looking at your pics again and I may be wrong but think I spotted that the little box you are using as a hide for him has had chemicals in it.
If so then it may be better for him if you could swap it with another that hasn't.

 

[Curious-cat]

PS I was just looking at your pics again and I may be wrong but think I spotted that the little box you are using as a hide for him has had chemicals in it.
If so then it may be better for him if you could swap it with another that hasn't.

Hey, I actualy checked before hand if the box was dangerous and the products inside were chemical free so it should be okay (but I can still change it if I have to.) As for the soaking I did this when I found it, I'll ask my mother to do it while I'm at school
And I have good news! I found someone that would be willing to look after it and they are already buying everything they need to look after it. They also have a friend that has tortoises so they can get advice, (i will also give them the Care sheets I have found here) they have a large garden so when It gets older they will have room for it

 

[Lyn W]

Hey, I actualy checked before hand if the box was dangerous and the products inside were chemical free so it should be okay (but I can still change it if I have to.) As for the soaking I did this when I found it, I'll ask my mother to do it while I'm at school
And I have good news! I found someone that would be willing to look after it and they are already buying everything they need to look after it. They also have a friend that has tortoises so they can get advice, (i will also give them the Care sheets I have found here) they have a large garden so when It gets older they will have room for it

The box should be Ok then if no chemicals have been in it.
Great that you found what will hopefully be a forever home for the tort.
Don't forget to tell them about this forum and get them to become a member so they can get all up to date advice and help they need as well as great ideas for enclosures etc. and save some money in pet stores. Especially tell them not to buy any coiled or loop type bulbs as these can damage tort eyes and red bulbs confuse them (makes them eat things they shouldn't) it will be a waste of their money and unsafe for the tort.
There's a lot of old information out there that is still being used by some people to rear their torts, but much more is known about them and their needs now so instead of just surviving torts can thrive and live much longer, healthier lives.
I hope this little one you saved goes on to have a long and happy life too!