Original post by gtphale — 2014-02-24 18:52:04 GMT
Well I have a Russian Tortoise that is sick. Looking for some input as to what it might be. Heading to the Vet today to get her checked out. She hasn't eaten in 5 days and won't open her mouth. She has a clear liquid that is coming from her mouth and now sleeps with her head and feet out of her shell,this is not normal for her. I leave for the vet in a couple hours but hoping someone might know what this is. So I can have a little inside information. Here is a video of her enclosure, I don't see anything wrong but I'm a noob and have only had her for two years.
Her water bowl is a terra cotta bowl now and no longer that green dog bowl. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuD0L-vvAwk
]]>Original post by animalguy — 2013-11-01 03:15:34 GMT
So, years ago I remember read on Bert Lang..etc site that Russian torts come from a similar range IN TEMPS as Minn St Paul. The big issue is to much water.
So, has anyone tried to come up with an area for these little guys up North with drainage, and maybe covered to keep it dry?
Not sure why this idea popped back in my head. But I know I was thinking about calling Bert to get his view on it. But sadly he has passed.
I was able to retrieve Bert post on his site from archive.org. I have land, as many. Seems like a neat idea if doable. I just don't know all the other aspects of this species?
https://web.archive.org/web/20080214163131/http://www.agamainternational.com/pages/russian_tortoise.htm
thanks
]]>Original post by Maizeysdad — 2012-11-29 22:20:08 GMT
My 11 year old son's 2012 Golden Greek died today. She has been active, a good eater, etc. Got her in July. Soaked her a few times a week (2-3). Dusted her salad with calcium most days. Spring mix and tortoise pellets for food. Basking area was about 94. Temp gradient from 94 all the way out to 68. Plenty of room to regulate temps. Cypress substrate. Hides available in warmth and shade.
When I found her, her belly had turned dark, and seemed soft.
Can anyone shed some light on what happened? Things to look out for before trying again?
I'm strictly a boa guy, so the tort help for my son is greatly appreciated.
]]>Original post by ajpeacockk — 2012-04-09 19:37:09 GMT
My husband found this little guy in a house that had been foreclosed. Apparently the owners had left him behind.
Can anyone tell me what type of tortoise this is?
http://i40.tinypic.com/35it178.jpg
Reply by db2010mvp — 2012-05-02 06:57:52 GMT
Russian
Original post by DrM — 2011-06-25 14:21:11 GMT
Wondering if anyone has safely fed Paulownia leaves to tortoises, specifically Hermann's. I have an abundance of young trees. Some third-world agriculture websites state that they are used as fodder and forage for livestock and are non-toxic.
Reply by pbrp — 2014-09-14 09:27:36 GMT
Wondering if you had any responses, or whether you have tried this? I am looking at it for both leopard tortoises and iguanas, and would love to find out if it is acceptable. I am "presuming" it should be, but would like to be safe not sorry!
Original post by jrmdds — 2011-05-01 01:08:38 GMT
I have incubated Russian Tortoise eggs without success for the past 4 years. I believe that the eggs have not been fertile in the past, but I'm beginning to wonder if it's the use of a fan in the incubator that is the problem. I have used a Hovabator with the turbofan and also an R-com Juragon which has an air circulator. I keep seeing the term "still air" being used. Should I disconnect the fan in my Hovabator? The temperature and humidity have always been strictly monitored.
]]>Original post by banjobert — 2011-04-06 00:20:29 GMT
i have a female russian who has been resless lately and i have noticed fragments of what might have been an egg shell, yes i know the urine crystals are white and dry out to be hard, but these fragments looked distinctly round and no substrate stuck to them like it would the urine crystals, also she expelled a white goo wth some cream colored chunks into her water dish, was that just the urine stuff that could not dry, or could this be infertile eggs, also it seems she has been pushing around with her back legs and not moving her front legs, but when she does that she is facing into a corner or anywhere in the enclosure also she has been kept with a male for some time before i seperated them. does anyone have advice or comments
]]>Original post by crocodilebob — 2011-03-13 13:57:36 GMT
Hi,have a female adult was hoping to get a male but not sure if they can live together or just during mating,Thanks
]]>Original post by ERWallace15 — 2010-12-20 00:50:16 GMT
I have found extremely mixed reviews about feeding collard greens to reptiles, specifically Russian Tortoises. Often on websites it will list collards as a good "staple" food, but then later in the website it will list collards in the anti-nutrient class with spinach.
Does anyone know more about collard greens affect on Russian digestion?
Reply by mightybd — 2011-02-22 00:29:40 GMT
I feed collards in a limited amount, only due to offering a variety.
Collards are my favorite green to get if I am going away for a weekend. I can drop in a head of collard greens, and they hold up decently well for 24-48 hours, where as normal greens and spring mix will rot or dry out well before that time.
I have not read any bad reviews on collards, however, moderation is key for all offerings...
Reply by KevinM — 2010-12-24 21:53:22 GMT
I feed collards to my pair and do not seem to have problems. However, I do not believe in making any particular green or food source a staple necessarily. I feed mine collards, turnip greens, mixed spring greens, mustard greens, and romaine lettuce. Every couple of weeks I give them Mazuri tort chow as well. I usually give them veggies if available, and may give them banana or apple very, very infrequently, like maybe once every other month or so.
Original post by VAReptileRescue — 2010-12-13 02:33:28 GMT
Hello,
I received a lovely tortoise into my rescue today, and it was ID'd as a Russian. But this critter is 8+", and roughly 2-3 lbs... I don't think so. I'm thinking it might be a Greek.
I have a Russian in rescue now, nice little male, and this newer tortoise is more than twice as long...
Can someone confirm for me that I'm correct in my ID of him as a Greek? Or is he something else? (I think male, due to slightly extended gular scales, but his tail is shorter than I'd expect.)
Thanks,
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Bonnie Keller
VA Reptile Rescue
www.vareptilerescue.org
Reply by KevinM — 2010-12-19 22:38:29 GMT
It it quite feasible it is a big female russian. The females get pretty big from what I heard. I have a pair now and the male is probably around six inches, the female around 7 and quite a bit more robust. The tail on my male is also MUCH larger and noticeable to the little stump of a tail the female has.
Original post by pdrobber — 2010-11-20 23:23:20 GMT
anyone use this forum? russian tortoise owner here. looks like there hasn't been a post in ahwile.
]]>Original post by dbreptiles — 2010-06-01 08:10:42 GMT
10 years ago I rescued an adult female Testudo graeca Iberia from a turtle soup shop here in Hong Kong; I have since been on the look out for a male, to no avail. I have been wondering whether it is possible to breed her with a male Testudo graeca terrestris as they are abundant here. Is this possible? Has it been successfully done?
]]>Original post by jscrick — 2010-05-23 23:27:23 GMT
JSC
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer
Original post by mythreetorts — 2010-05-17 00:43:09 GMT
hello folks, how can i tell if my greeks are succesful with copiulation? my male is about 5 inches and my female is about 7, she is a big girl compared to him, seems a bit awkward fro him whemn he is mounting her but,,,, try and try again he does, she doesnt seem to mind, how long, and how will i know if she has eggs? thanks for any input....
]]>Original post by banjobert — 2010-04-17 20:21:20 GMT
one of my russians hasn't been too active recently, all it has done recently is hide. i am not sure if it has eaten recently, if it has i have not seen it do so. my guess is it is temp. related so if it is, are temps too hot or too cold and if it is not temps then what?
Reply by banjobert — 2010-04-23 21:51:16 GMT
sorry about the not responding but i think it just didn't have the right motivation and my male probably chases her into hiding alot. i think she hasn't come out to eat very quickly may be partly temps and partly boredom of her food. but i threw some fruit in and they both went after it. also i have this cactus fruit i want to give to them, but should i leave the seeds in or take them out?
Reply by bradtort — 2010-04-19 14:46:33 GMT
Tell us more.
Are you keeping it outdoors or indoors?
If outdoors, what's the weather been like? Around here we had very warm weather for a couple weeks followed my more seasonal 60s/40s. Those cooler temps would probably slow down a tortoise.
If indoors, what temps are you providing, how long are the lights on, etc.
Are all of your tortoises slowing down, or just one?
Any signs of nasal discharge or other respiratory problems?
Original post by tortoiseluva — 2010-04-04 21:35:18 GMT
Hey, I hope everyone's had a good weekend.
I think my Russian tort, Ella, may be sick. Her behavior has been quite normal so far, she's been eating well and moves around quite a lot.
However, her top of her tongue is a dark red, almost spotted. It looks a little like its been burnt.
Can anyone diagnose the problem?
We've been keeping her outside for a while, perhaps she ate something poisiness?
thanks so much for your time!
Reply by mightybd — 2010-04-10 22:37:48 GMT
Pics?
Original post by simias — 2010-04-03 01:27:32 GMT
I just purchased this tortoise from a breeder as a subadult (6"
female marginated tortoise. I've been looking at her closely the past 2 days and am wondering if she may not in fact be a female ibera Greek, or maybe a hybrid marginated-Greek.
I'm a tortoise biologist but not a Testudo expert. Can someone who really knows these 2 species have a look and give me your opinion? I won't name the breeder; even if I'm correct I believe it was an honest mistake.
thanks
Reply by simias — 2010-04-03 04:51:35 GMT
about the post I made previously.....yes this is a true marginated tortoise....
Original post by GaryM — 2010-03-27 22:32:21 GMT
I have three 7 month old herman tortoises babies who are showing signs of pyramiding. I have on them on damp newspaper with rocks and large flat pieces of bark to walk and climb over. Their enclosure is a "under the bed" storage plastic bin. They outgrew their sweater box. I used to use a potting soil sand mix but it made them dirty and got smelly quick. They have a 75 watt bulb with a basking spot of 85 - 90 degrees.
I have been feeding them everyday with all types of greens - lettuce,(not iceberg)dandilion, plantian,clover,Kale,collard greens, spring mix. various weeds.
When the weather gets nicer they will go outside for good.
My question is how can i stop the pyramiding. Would feeding everyother day help?
Reply by jscrick — 2010-05-23 23:35:35 GMT
Keep them outside. Most people believe in raising young tortoises indoors. I've had good luck outdoors if done properly.
Young Marginated raised outdoors.
Immaculate shell this Russian female.
jsc
-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer
Reply by annaisagecko — 2010-03-31 16:30:39 GMT
http://www.reptilechannel.com/turtles-and-tortoises/tortoise-care/pyramiding-in-tortoises.aspx
Pretty interesting article.
-----
1. Leopard Gecko: Cort.
1. Crested Gecko: Fender.
1. African Dwarf Frog: no name yet.
3. Cats: Midnight, Tiger & Fluffy.
RIP.
Leo: Larry.
Crestie: Tuki.
Marbled Salamander: Ibanez.
I'd Rather Be Hated For Who I Am, Then Loved For Who I'm Not - Kurt Cobain.
Reply by GaryM — 2010-03-30 03:43:48 GMT
http://www.sulcata-station.org/pdf/pyramiding.pdf
Original post by jscrick — 2010-03-21 17:26:01 GMT
jsc
-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer
Original post by bradtort — 2010-03-10 15:55:45 GMT
Out of hibernation and strolling around in the sun. I hatched these guys back in July of 2006. Still not sure of the genders, but I'll call them Cletus and Brandine.
Cletus:
Brandine:
Reply by KevinM — 2010-03-13 20:18:44 GMT
Very nice Brad. We are having very nice weather here in South Louisiana, and I am debating putting mine back out in their pens today. I am afraid of the cool night temps and possiblity of them getting wet and cold though. Still, I cant wait to get them out in the sun again (and out of the house!!!)
Reply by bradtort — 2010-03-12 17:12:35 GMT
Brandine
