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Author Topic: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.  (Read 826 times)

jckurk

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Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« on: May 12, 2011, 04:18:17 AM »
Hey. I run an EOD team here in AFGHANISTAN working for the U.S. Army. The other day my LT was walking back from the latrines and found a little turtle. He's about 5 inches in length total, maybe. We call him Hagar. He's totally friendly and likes human interaction. Eats right out of your hand.

I took the advice I read on the the russiantortoise.org website and built him a crate out of an old explosive crate. It's like 2x2. He seems pretty happy. Just dirt and sand. Made him a little log lean too out of some afghan wood he seems to like.

I've been really impressed with him and the way he acts. Acts like a dog sometimes. We've been feeding him romaine from the chow hall. Soaked him down once all ready and got to see him drink a little which I heard was rare.

Anyways I'll get some pics posted up a little later if I can. Using some crappy satellite here that we bought and internet for upload isn't always the greatest.

Later,

SSG Kurk, Joshua
TM2 TM Leader
49th EOD
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shellietort

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2011, 05:28:11 AM »
welcome and thank you so very much for what you are doing.   I so appreciate our service men and women.    And thank you for being kind to our friends the tortoises.   Sounds like you are doing a good job.   I wonder if someone had the tort before you, since he/she is so friendly.  I know this tort will bring you lots of pleasure.

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Mary....Shelllie and Skippy's mama

karamire

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2011, 05:51:09 AM »
Congrats on the new pet, it's good for your stress reduction and we all know you guys could use that!  I'd be a bit careful not to get too attached though, I'm not sure if you'd legally be able to bring the tort back with you. I know there's weird laws about quarantine when moving dogs and cats from other countries into the USA.
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welovevader

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2011, 08:49:28 AM »
Thank you for your service! ;D We all apreciate what you're doing.  Both of my parents are retired Air Force and both grandfathers were retired Army, and several friends of mine are AF Captains all of whom did tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, so I definitely have a softspot for you guys. ;D We're not far from Kirtland AFB.

Like Karamire mentioned, check to see what the regs are for bringing him back if you plant to do so. Thank you for doing your research; not everyone takes the time to learn how to take care of these awesome little guys properly. And yeah, catching them drinking is somewhat rare.

Stay safe!


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Robbie
Mountains east of Albuquerque, NM
**Will be out of town until 6/09. Any emails/pm's will be responded to a.s.a.p.**
Carolina Pet Supply
Tortoise Yard

ginababy

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2011, 05:27:31 PM »
Welcome to the group!  Thank you for all you do for us!  We would love to see pics, so hopefully you can get them uploaded.
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Gina,  Fishkill, NY
1 Russian Tortoise - Miss Baxter
1 yellow lab - Shelby

jckurk

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2011, 11:33:46 PM »
Well I have pictures. My best bet is to email them to somone. Cause I can't upload to anywhere except email on this internet.

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jckurk

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2011, 11:50:49 PM »
I emailed them to a member who says they will upload them in the next few days. Thanks alot karamire.
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karamire

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2011, 11:57:47 PM »
Thanks to the beauty of working night shift I am up during Afgani waking hours!  There's a max file size for uploads so I had to crop/shrink them down. It's a problem we all run into when trying to post pics,



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welovevader

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2011, 08:31:43 AM »
Cute! :D
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Robbie
Mountains east of Albuquerque, NM
**Will be out of town until 6/09. Any emails/pm's will be responded to a.s.a.p.**
Carolina Pet Supply
Tortoise Yard

Didi

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #9 on: May 13, 2011, 03:06:05 PM »
Wow he looks so different from my torts.
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Tilly and Tess live with their mom in sunny Southern Oregon.  Hatched by Dan during the summer of 2008.

moeNlily

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #10 on: May 13, 2011, 03:31:49 PM »
He's so cute! I would suggest putting a little thing of water in there with him in case he's thirsty b/w soakings. Thanks for sharing your great story!
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Sarah
3 Russian Torts - Oscar, Shelby, and Ellie
North Reading, MA

jckurk

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #11 on: May 13, 2011, 09:41:52 PM »
Well I'm pretty sure that He's an RT cause he only has 4 toes/claws.

If you look in the picture he has water in the back left. And he'll get a soak down today again.
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shooter66

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #12 on: May 17, 2011, 12:11:43 PM »
That is a good looking tort. He looks a little different from ones that most people have, probably because the region your in isn't harvested for export. Keep us posted on things.
Thanks for your service. Keep in touch.
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Didi

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #13 on: May 18, 2011, 06:44:09 PM »
I love how his dark spots cover his entire shell.
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Tilly and Tess live with their mom in sunny Southern Oregon.  Hatched by Dan during the summer of 2008.

mctlong

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Re: Hello from Afghanistan, I think I found a Russian Tortoise here.
« Reply #14 on: June 27, 2011, 11:27:40 AM »
Wow, I wonder what subspecies he is. In addition to the shell color, the shape of his head looks a little different as well.
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Shelly Long
Encino, California
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My non-human family members:
'Indy', Male Russian, wild-caught, approx 11 years old
'Buddy' and 'Hedwig' - Budgie Pair, hatched in 2006 and 2007

Go here for pics of Indy and Jojo: http://www.russiantortoisepictures.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=15956
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