Yes, it takes them awhile to get used to things. Make sure you have the temps right - cool side of 80 or less (for the russians) and a hot spot of 90-100. They may also like a soak.

Are the bigger one's wildcaught? My wildcaught adults are sometimes shy. Especially the tough-acting male. He'll push the other torts around, and sometimes come charging at me, but when I pick him up he pulls in for awhile.

Be sure to keep the hingeback away from the others. It's probably a good idea to keep him separate even after a clean bill of health. He has very different needs anyway.

I've mixed my captive-bred and wildcaught russians, but only after the russians have been healthy for years. Anyway the little hatchling is too small to live with 4" tortoises.

Answer: give them a few days to settle in, then handle them a little bit. I keep my russians as "display" animals. I only pick them up to relocate them or give them a quick health exam. Torts don't seem to like being lifted in the air and they seem much happier on the ground.

[ Hide Replies ]

• when to handle a russian??? - cutesyturtle, Fri Feb 24 11:35:38 2006
• RE: when to handle a russian??? - bradtort, Fri Feb 24 12:03:03 2006
• RE: when to handle a russian??? - cutesyturtle, Fri Feb 24 12:19:40 2006