Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are Russians good beginning torts, if not what are better? My House can get below 50* in winter at night so i want one that doesn't get too large, and can hibernate. Also what should i ghouse it in, I heard a fifty galon plastic tupper-ware tub is great, is this true? Also please add any info on the torts you recommend

Russians are cool little torts, but I personally wouldn't recommend them to beginners because almost all of the Russians sold in the US are wild caught. Most of them are sick from stress and parasites, and besides that, you have no idea about their age, health record, or general history. Also, these torts are usually too sick and stressed to be hibernated during their first winter in captivity. Don't get me wrong, a lot of people have had great success with Russians.

Hibernation is another tricky subject and is probably best left to the more experienced tort keeper.

If you haven't already check out the link below. Good Luck!

Link

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YOUR LORD AND MASTER. . . . FOAMY
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russians make an excellent first tortoise. you'll want to track down a captive bred specimen. DON'T buy a wild caught one though as it will most likely die of stress after a while. Do your research before you get one and you will be fine. a tub is decent for housing small tortoises, you should try and find one that is long and wide. the depth of it doesn't really matter. a "tortoise table" is another way to go which is the best option. you can look up how to make those at several websites. also when looking up caresheets you might want to try horsfield's tortoise instead of russian tortoise this is the proper name for them. also i would recomend you look up other species and find the right one for you. some hardy small torts are hermans, greeks, and eygptian. hope this helps

Captive Bred Russians make awesome pets, my friend scot bought a captive bred from someone he met on Kingsnake actually. And she is awesome! That same guy breeds his torts every year and has excellent results, i will try and track down his name for ya
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1.0 green iguana-Deitrich
1.1 Common Boa-Un-Named, Ursula
1.0 Ball Python-Anabell (go figure!)
1.0 Red Tegu-Uteg
1.0 Albino Cal King-Pig
0.1 Mexican Black King-Morticia
1.1 Bearded Dragons-Unnamed, Hanabil
1.0 Albino San Diego Gopher-Unnamed
0.1 Hermans tort-Esio
1.1 JCP-Milton, Medusa
1.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn-Unnamed
0.1 Snow Corn-Unnamed
1.0 Hypo Okeetee Corn-Unnamed
0.1 Motley Okeetee-Unnamed
1.0 Western Hoggie-Wyrm
0.0.1 Rose Hair Taruntla-Unnamed
2.0 Leopard Geckos-Reptar, Pogo
4.1 cats-Tucker,Poe,Abhib,Emerald, Felicity
0.1 Bullmastiff-Asha

I think you're looking for Brad

He goes by Bradtort.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Brad might have sold out by now, but he did have some nice healthy babies. I bought 2 of them myself, and they're little tanks, nice and solid.
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Sohni

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
0.0.1 Marginated Tortoise
1.0 3 Toed Box Turtle (rescued)
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

glib glib