Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of the pet stores here has had a russian tortoise for 4 weeks. The first time I saw it, it had no food and a tee tiny water bowl. I of course started asking and the manager said it had just got there and they were getting food for it.
About two weeks later I go in and it has a bigger water dish but dusted crickets everywhere. When asked if I needed help I gave them the tortoise speech about diet and such. I even printed off a care sheet and gave it to them.
So today, I had to stop there and they still got the russian tort and feeding frozen spinach and this orange and green dried out jelly looking food. They also said he eats several grapes a day. It's in a maybe a 10 gallon tank with just a strip light and always trying it's best to hide.
It's a male about 5". I asked to see him today. His eyes are bright, his shell looks and feels great. He was alert and active when I picked him up. I was shocked at first how heavy he was compared to mine. Of course, the store employee goes into telling me he's not a WC and how to take care of him. They claimed he's been to a vet but didn't have any papers showing when he was checked, dewormed and etc. Well, ya'll know how pet store's are...they're idoits?

I'm really thinking about getting him. I already have a big & safe set-up in my side yard that would be great for him. We had made it for my 1st russian tort but we couldn't ever find her so we made her a smaller one.

Should I go get him? Do ya'll think his diet so far has caused any problems that can't be corrected?

I am a reptile keeper AND I used to work in a pet store many years ago....so I have been on both sides of the table. You have to remember that they are in the business of selling pets and not raising them. That being the case, they are going to do the bare minimum required to keep that animal alive and healthy so they can sell it.

In the long run, the diet you described will lead to health problems. However, they are hoping to move that tortoise out as soon as possible, and if they do (and it goes to a good home) it should be ok.

It sounds like you have a perfect set-up waiting for him...and you are obviously interested in purchasing him. Based on your description of him, he sounds healthy, and I seriously doubt that he has any irreversible damage to his health. I say you buy him.

But be careful, if you try to save every animal you feel is being less-than-well-cared-for in every pet store you go into, you will soon have more on your hands than you can handle.

In closing, I would not believe that the animal has had a vet check. It is also probably wild-caught and full of parasites. If you do buy him, a trip to your own vet might not be a bad idea (it will probably cost as much as the tortoise, but hey...better safe than sorry).

I agree with you about pet stores. Most of the ones around here take really good care of the critters except for this. I've never seen this store have a tortoise in all the years it's been there. I'm hoping buying him doesn't make them get more b/c of the people that buy and not research first. What he's living in and been eating is what they have on their caresheet.

I'll go get him tomorrow on my lunch break. I work in a clinic and will check for parasites right away. He'll be a very happy guy here!

Sounds good.

It is tough in the pet industry. By the time most of the employees figure out what the hell they are doing, they move on to bigger and better things.

Pet stores make like 90% of their money on dogs and cats and birds. Not only do the sell the animal, but the sell the supplies and continue to sell the food long after the sale.

Something like a russian tortoise, they make very little on. By the time they pay for labor to take care of it, electricity to heat and light it, and food for it, I doubt they make more than a few bucks. At least with lizards and snakes they can continue to make money by selling feeder mice and insects. The only people making any money off you on your tortoise after you own it is your local grocery store (well, maybe your electric company too).

When you buy the tortoise, tell the manager the only reason you are buying it is because you feel they are not taking good care of it. You might also point out how LITTLE money they make on tortoises because they get no continuing food sales after the initial sale. I dunno...might send a message.

Well...like I said...sounds like you are the perfect person to take the tortoise. Enjoy!

I went and got him during my lunch break and taking him to work when I go back to check for parasites, get a weight and measure him. He pooped on the way home and it's pretty yucky. It's chunky, slimy and the color of that jelly crap that were feeding him.
I didn't even feel like the speech after it took an hour for someone to get him out. They gave me their crappy care sheet....it said a 10 gal tank would do fine for an adult. I'm going to type of a letter explaining my concerns about it and how to properly take care of them incase they happen to get more in.
Talk about hungry!! I was a bit shocked when he jumped right into his salad. He gobbled a small handful down right away and then started checking out his new outside home and taste testing everything in it. I do have to make him a house big enough that he can fit in it. He can't fit through the door of the one my hubby made for my baby.

I'll have pics later today when my batteries charge up.

The employee's were asking if I had others and how I took care of them. They actually agreed that I should talk the owner about tortoise care. That suprised me!!

Of course, he's got parasites and had no problem with the dewormer. After I got home from work, I put him in his torty yard. He right away started walking around and eating stuff I've planted. He kept looking around for awhile then climbed up on a rock and laid there with his eyes closed. He looked like one happy tortoise.

a back view.....

This was taken at work and here's how long he is....any idea of age?

him again....

it's tough, knowing that "you can't save them all" as far as poorly kept pet store animals go... but it sounds like this little guy really hit the jackpot for a new owner. he's very cute, and his shell doesn't look at all bad or deformed. i suppose one benefit of him being wild-caught is that he at least got to start out life on a decent, normal diet instead of being fed that gel crud for his whole little life.

congrats!