Found A Russian Tortoise... Now What?

[klmitch10]

I was outside doing yard work today and my dogs found a Russian Tortoise in my back yard.  None of the neighbors lost it so I am assuming some jerk let it go.  I live near Chicago so there is no other explination I can think of...  Either way, my nephew loaned me a turtle pond tub thing for it that I am keeping it in for now till my husband builds her a table and tomorrow I am going to go get it a heat lamp and all the stuff I need for substrate and all that stuff.  What I am wondering about is, her nails are pretty long and I am not sure of how short they should be.  I read that you can trim them but I have never had a pet without fur!  Also, she seemed really stressed after I brought her inside and she didn't eat anything yet.  I soaked her in warm water for about 15 min like I read and she seemed to relax after that but could that be just cause it's night time now?  I am a veterinary technician but we only treat cats and dogs so I'm a little out of my element right now.  I want to do what is best for her and I just want some opinions and information from other owners.  Thank you in advance!

[Didi]

Can you post a picture?  Be sure to check the lost and found notices to make sure he's not a runaway.  Russians are great escape artists and could have traveled or escaped a long time ago.

Don't worry about the nails for now.  Unless they are interfering with the tort walking, you can leave them alone and just give him something rough to walk on that will eventually wear them down.

[Irwin4530]

I would really like to see a picture of her....and hear details about your table.
Dont trim the nails till you tell us more.  they can be pretty long with out hurting her
they are not like dog nails...the will be long.  Also if you measure her shell and tell us about
her tail we may be able to tell you gender.

For now make sure that she is getting sunlight (with optional shade) and shop for a UVA/UVB bulb.
the Powersun 100w is a favorite around here.  dont go for heat, it you get the powersun it will take care of everything
She will also need some bedding.
How long till the table is finished....dont want you to over buy but if you can get your hands on
some play sand (home depot) with no chemiclas and a brick of "bed a beast" that will be a good start.
KEEP SOAKING HER ON A DAILY BASIS FOR ABOUT A WEEK.....it will help calm her and make her feel better
We all seem to like shopping at carolinapetsupply.com  they are Tort friendly and the
man who started this forun runs it with his wife.  you can get bulbs, bedding dishes hide logs
and TNT (nutritional suppliment) all form him....VERY QUICKLY!!  

Anything you have questions about just ask........and good job so far!  she is lucky to have you!!!!

[klmitch10]

She ate this morning!  I am so relieved!  My nephew who has random lizards and turtles and everything seems to think she is a girl.  He said that with one look at her rear, I am not sure what I am looking for.  Do you just need a picture of her tail to tell?  I am on my way to the stores to get her lamp (thank you for the bulb information!) and some bedding for her.  Is the bed-a-beast the same as that coir brick stuff I saw on Carolina Pet?  I REALLY appreciate all your help.  As for the table, we haven't drawn it out or purchased anything for it yet.  My husband is off work on Sundays so he will probably build it tomorrow.  The one I plan to go off of is on www.russiantortoise.org.  I do see a liner inside that table, what kind of liner does she need?  The pond mould she is in right now is probably about 50 gallons at least so I didn't think one more day in it would be bad as long as I get her some proper sand/bedding and a light...  I will not touch her nails, she is moving around just fine!  Again, thank you all for your help!


 Oh, I forgot to say, shes about 6 inches from front to rear of her shell.

[Irwin4530]

yes...bead a beast is the same as the coconut coir,and if you get the multi brick deal from carolina it is free shipping (I a pretty sure)
you can tell her gender if you look at the tail AND if she is old enough  (it can de difficult to tell if they are small).
At 6" you should be able to tell.  felmales have very short fat tails and males have long thinner tales that they hold over to the side....most often touching their legs.    http://www.chelonia.org/sexing/sexing_testudo_horsfieldi.htm

Personally I dont have a tort table...I use rubbermaid bins and outdoor enclosures......However, I have heard others talking about using  peel and stick tiles inside their enclosures.  russiantortoise.org is a great site and will also help you with feeding her.
keeping looking on this forum for enclosure ideas...there are some great ones on here with pictures and drawings you can get ideas from.

[Irwin4530]

the end of this thread has a neat idea for using a book shelf as a table.  scroll all the way down to the bottom for a picture.

http://russiantortoisepictures.com/forum/index.php/topic,4433.0.html

[klmitch10]

Well, I got her all hooked up with the powersun and the coir/sand mix I had to go to Petsmart because Petco had nothing!  I'm looking at price differences on Carolina right now.  She has a little fat tail so I am standing by the advice that she is a female.  Now, my question is thermometers...  They had digital, little dial ones, the liquid crystal fish tank ones...  What kind work the best?  She seems a lot more content today now that she has stuff to crawl around in!  I have a little 7X13 dog run that I have been putting her in durring the day while its hot so she can cruise around and my dogs can't bother her (she's only allowed out there when we are).  I think she's happy, I hope so!

[welovevader]

For thermometers, I've just been using the cheapy Zoo Med one. Eventually, I'll get the superior Infrared Temp Gun.

Here's another helpful comparison on male/female if you're interested.

The dog run sounds great.

[lynne]

If the dogs don't need it, the dog run would make a great tortoise enclosure. You can use a small dog house or opaque plastic bin turned upside down with a small opening for a door. They really do like being outside, even a few months per year. They like soil better than grass, which can be too wet/moist. More information about enclosures, and pics of both inside and outside habitats, in the Gallery.
For the inside enclosure, make sure the heat/MVB bulb is to one side, so the basking area is warm to about 95, but they also have a cooler side to retreat to.
Great that you soaked her!
Most of the round thermometers are not very accurate. You can get a digital one at places like Home Depot for $10-15. The PE-1 Infrared thermometers are about $25 on line and are the most accurate.

[russianuncle]

A little off the important subject here which is a new RT owner learning the basic ins and outs ASAP, but... in response to the last reply, in particular them not liking grass, "my" little one seems to like to eat the grass when put in it however I am concerned with 2 things: recently it doesn't seem to totally digest and some grass blade comes out with defecation (should grass be minced up before being allowed to eat it??) and the other to the super-newbies, which is obvious but doesn't hurt to remind especially to condo/townhouse owners: check if grass has been treated w/pesticides before letting your tort graze & roam. Now, all, back to filling in the new member.

[Didi]

I have never seen mine eat a blade of grass.  I wouldn't worry about it coming out the other end.

[Floof]

JEALOUS!!! I wish a female Russian tort would show up in my yard... Lol!

Sounds like you've gotten pretty solid input so far. I can't think of anything to add. Have fun with your new baby!

[klmitch10]

Thank you all for your help!  She is doing great and eating very well!  I have been using the dog run as an outdoor yard for her for now, but I think next year I will put her in her garden that I convinced my husband was totally necessary for her! HA!  He is not a huge animal lover like me but he listens SO well!    You all have helped me out a great deal and I just wanted you to know how much I really appreciate it!

[Paul Kingtiger]

I recently came into a Russian as well, and built a table from scratch.  The table itself it just a retangular box about 5' by 3'.  We have pebbles at the hot end and 50/50 mix of play sand and coir for the rest of it.  One thing I plan to do diffrently is to use large shallow containers inside the table, so that the substrate is split into 3 sections.  This should make it easier to clean and replace the substrate.  I've attached some pictures of what we have now and what I plan.

[ashross77]

She's beautiful!