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Help with ID and advice please.

curt May 27, 2006 02:47 PM

Hi All,

Found this turtle in a California housing division (so obviously not a native). I'm thinking he's an Eastern box, but I'm a snake guy so I could use some help and advice please. I've got him running free in my backyard which is approx. 15'X20', (Backyard has a small sand area/half dirt/half concrete). No cats or anyhting like that, and there is plenty of shade in the dirt areas. I've also dug him out a little burrow. I've got him eating mostly mixed greens/carrots/peas. I haven't had any luck with insects or worms. I've tried meal worms/red worms/earth worms, and he's totally disinterested in snails. I also haven't had any luck with fruit. I've tried blackberries/bananas/strawberries. I mix in rep-cal box turtle food with the greens so I'm assuming he's (or she) is getting some protein. What do I do about winter? I love having him in the backyard but I'm not necesarily wanting a pet inside. Also, what do you think about his shell? It's hard, but looks quite rough. Any other advice would be appreciated. I've had him for a couple of weeks and he's a great eater and seems content. Here's a top view And heres a bottom view (the purple on his belly is from walking over a blackberry). any help or advice is greatly appreciated! Curt

Replies (6)

StephF May 27, 2006 03:34 PM

That is NOT a box turtle.

Post the photos on the tortoise forum: they'll ID it for you. It may well be native to the area.

Curt May 27, 2006 04:22 PM

Thanks, I will. It isn't native though, the only native tortoise to CA is the Desert Tortoise and I'm near San Francisco, which is nowhere near their range. Cheers, Curt

bradtort May 27, 2006 04:36 PM

go to www.russiantortoise.net for info.

And that explains why it ate greens and no bugs. They are herbivores.

Good luck. They aren't hard to keep. I've been keeping them for about 8 years and had hatchlings the last 4.

lizardheadmike May 27, 2006 04:36 PM

That is a russian tortoise. Strictly leafy green feeder, grass, dandelions etc. It will overwinter fine if it has dug a burrow...

StephF May 27, 2006 05:10 PM

I don't know from tortoises...

Rouen May 30, 2006 07:27 AM

huh, thats the 2nd russian I've heard of being found this month, first one was in ohio.
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