Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I was thinking about getting a Sulcata, then an Egyptian, but I saw some Russians at the petstore, and I was hooked. I read somewhere that they're the easiest tortoise to keep, is that true? What are they're care requirements? I want to know from another owners point of view. Thanks!!!

J.L.

This topic has been discussed previously on this forum on many occassions. Just scroll down the list and I'm sure that you will find the information that you are looking for.

MAnga!

-----
"i wasn't born with enough middle fingers"

1.0 ball python- Azazel
1.0 columbian boa- Brooklyn
1.0 red blood python-Hiss
1.0 peach phase thayeri-Sancho
0.1 creamsicle corn- Pandora
0.1 partial stripe ghost corn- Raven
1.1 hognose- Pricilla and Odd
0.1 russian tortoise- Manja
0.1.1 leos- Boji and Kodama
0.1 beardie- Indie
1.0 BTS- Griffon
0.1 Iggy- Sunny
0.0.2 Red american toadlets with 0.0.7 legs total (er, i have one w/3....)
0.0.1 gray tree frog toadlet
0.0.6 land snails
0.0.2 millipedes of unknown species from TN
0.0.1 spotted slug
5.3 bettas
0.1 pacific parrolet- Mishka
1.1 cats- Cairo and Oberon
2.3 ratties Rizzo, Bounce, Bree, Blitzkreig, and Zelda

Why are you feeding your RT peas and fruit? If you really love'em don't feed them peas and fruit. Trust me, you won't like the vet bills AND what they do to your RT.....

Ernie

What is the matter with peas and fruit? She also gets dark leafies all the time. I was brought to believe that russians were more fruit eaters than grass land grazers,
-----
"i wasn't born with enough middle fingers"

1.0 ball python- Azazel
1.0 columbian boa- Brooklyn
1.0 red blood python-Hiss
1.0 peach phase thayeri-Sancho
0.1 creamsicle corn- Pandora
0.1 partial stripe ghost corn- Raven
1.1 hognose- Pricilla and Odd
0.1 russian tortoise- Manja
0.1.1 leos- Boji and Kodama
0.1 beardie- Indie
1.0 BTS- Griffon
0.1 Iggy- Sunny
0.0.2 Red american toadlets with 0.0.7 legs total (er, i have one w/3....)
0.0.1 gray tree frog toadlet
0.0.6 land snails
0.0.2 millipedes of unknown species from TN
0.0.1 spotted slug
5.3 bettas
0.1 pacific parrolet- Mishka
1.1 cats- Cairo and Oberon
2.3 ratties Rizzo, Bounce, Bree, Blitzkreig, and Zelda

Peas: Loaded with Phytic acid (10,000 PPM) which binds with minerals and severly retards there uptake and usage by your tort. Also high in protein. Bottom-line, bad stuff that does very bad things to every species of tort.

Fruit. Will cause internal parasite bloom, loose stool, and kills the good bacteria in your torts gut. Russian's are one the MOST suseptible to severe gastic problems due to fruit cosumption. Read $$$$$ to your vet.

Here's your benchmark. Drive through Wyoming or Utah (they have terrarin very similar to where RT's come from in the 'stan's). See how many naturally occuring fruits or vegtables you run across. That's how much you should feed your RT.

The only torts that should get fruit are forest dwelling torts, like Red and Yellowfoot's, and Forest hingebacks. Fruit occurs naturally in their environment and they have the ability to digest the high sugar content without problems.

Ernie

After i saw your post this morning i did quite a bit of research online. When i initially got manga about a year ago, I did research, and all of the answers pointed to a forest dwelling tort. I have always thought that manga was not considered a grassland tort, so i started giving her a 50/50 mix of fruits and dark leafies. I am VERY particular with how my animals are cared for, so when i found out that i have been doing htings wrong with my tort, i got really upset. Mangas diet will now be changed to more dark leafies and more oat grass, hay etc. I want to thank you for bringing that to my attention. Thanks again, Jen
-----
"i wasn't born with enough middle fingers"

1.0 ball python- Azazel
1.0 columbian boa- Brooklyn
1.0 red blood python-Hiss
1.0 peach phase thayeri-Sancho
0.1 creamsicle corn- Pandora
0.1 partial stripe ghost corn- Raven
1.1 hognose- Pricilla and Odd
0.1 russian tortoise- Manja
0.1.1 leos- Boji and Kodama
0.1 beardie- Indie
1.0 BTS- Griffon
0.1 Iggy- Sunny
0.0.2 Red american toadlets with 0.0.7 legs total (er, i have one w/3....)
0.0.1 gray tree frog toadlet
0.0.6 land snails
0.0.2 millipedes of unknown species from TN
0.0.1 spotted slug
5.3 bettas
0.1 pacific parrolet- Mishka
1.1 cats- Cairo and Oberon
2.3 ratties Rizzo, Bounce, Bree, Blitzkreig, and Zelda

With 33 years of arid tort keeping (Greek's, Russian's, and Berlandier's) I've learned what to and not to feed them so I can keep my vet working on dogs and cats.

Forget about a Sulcatta or Egyptian if this is TRULY your first tortoise. They are both for experienced keepers. The Sulcatta because of their size, not because they are challenging.

The best choice for a first tort is a captive bred Greek (Ibera), Russian, Herman's, or if you want a larger one Marginated.

All are very hardy and easy to raise in captivity in any number of environments.

Ernie

Keep in mind that the Russians you see in pet stores are most likely imported wild caught tortoises. If you have your heart set on a Russian, consider getting a captive born tortoise. They cost more than the imported one, but you're getting a healthier animal & will probably come out equal in the long run after factoring in vet visits & any treatments it might require.

The larger one is Boris, a 3 year old CB male. The tiny one is Natasha, about 2 months old & incubated to be female. She arrived here yesterday & I'm really hoping she'll turn out to be a friendlier tortoise than Boris, who is a real mean critter.

I have a 2 year old Egyptian that is easily my favorite.

Johlum, please don't give into the MYTH that egyptian torts are for experienced keepers only. I have a yearling egyptian that is my one and only tort and he is easier to care for than most of my reptiles. Whats so hard about getting a right temp., making salad every morning and giving the proper space? I love my Egyptian and would recommend them as a first tort anyday, not a first reptile, but a first tort. As for Egyptians I reccomend Dan Wolfe at dwherp.com!!!

Here's Tank:

-----
1.1.1 Blue tongue skinks- Sausage the IJ, Don the Indo, and Sebastian the Tanimbar
0.0.1 Green Tree Python- Verdi
0.1 Western Hognose- Piggy
0.0.1 Sonoran Gopher snake- Toro
0.0.1 Ornate Uro- Spike
0.0.1 Egyptian Tortoise- Tank
0.1 Albino Leo Gecko- Sasha