New Mother of 2 RT's.

[ashross77]

Hello Everyone,
I have been researching and bought a book for beginners on RT care and read it several times now. I have collected some necessary items to get started with my RT's.

I live in South Dakota which is not an ideal area for RT's but can be managed quite well with the right equipment I think.....

I bought a "Tortoise House" from Petsmart and all the substrate to go in it. I have the lamps with the correct bulbs to provide all the UV rays necessary for a healthy RT. I bought a little waterfall so they have constant circulating water which they appear to like.

I had not planned on purchasing the RT's when I went to Petsmart but ahhhh they were on sale for 30 dollars off and they had received another one I couldnt choose so I chose both. It appears to be a male and  a female.

The female who I have named Jazzy was very shy at the store but she is perking right up and is very active
The male who is christened Rocky is also very active and very curious. They are both precious.

I have a question though while reading the book on RT's there is a section on Hibernating them and says for juveniles to hibernate them for less time but my question is how old are they when they go from being juvenile to adults?
The one perk of South Dakota is it can get quite cold here and Hibernating them will be easy I can just not heat a room in my house and it will be perfect temperature for them :-)

[babylove6635]

HI AND  WELCOME TO THE  FORUM, I  REALLY DONT KNOW  WHAT THE AGE OR SIZE IS FOR THE DIFF. AGES  BUT I HAVE TWO JUVIS AND THEY ARE ABOYT  4 TO 4 1/2 INCHES. AND MY BIGGET MALE THAT  HAS BEEN BREADDING IS ABOUT 5 TO 5 1/2 IN. ACCUALLY  MY BIGGER ONE  I WAS TOLD  WAS A FEMALE LOL NOT SO MUCH. BEST OF LUCK WITH  THEM I  ADORE ALL 5 OF MINE.  OH  AND  YOU SHOULD  WAIT  AT LEAST ONE YEAR  BEFORE YOU  DO HYBERNATE THEM  TO MAKE  SURE  THEY ARE  HEALTHY TO MAKE IT  THROUGH.  JUDY

[Irwin4530]

Most people on here generally do not hibernate their torts. fo AT LEAST the first 4 years.
It is not a good idea for a novice owner (no matter how well read.. ) to attempt.
Personally, I choose to error on the side of caution and wait.

CONGRATS on your new babies and "props" on doing your research first 

[c123]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum.

I know this post has nothing to do with the current topic but I do not know how to start a new topic...

I have two average sized tortoises which were given to me lately by a friend of mine. After spending some time on the net trying to identify to which species they belong to, I think they may very well be Russian/horsfield's tortoises, but I'm not 100% sure. I uploaded two photos of them. Please can you verify that they are really of the Russian species? I think the majority of you members can identify them easily.

Thanks and regards
c123

[Lynn]

Welcome c123. I'm no expert, but they look like testudos hermanni to me. Go to TortoiseForum.org for more responses to your inquirey.

[welovevader]

Welcome c123. I'm no expert, but they look like testudos hermanni to me. Go to TortoiseForum.org for more responses to your inquirey.

Yeah, defintely not Russian. Just guessing, but I'd agree with Hermman's for the one in the second picture. The first picture, at least to me, looks different enough from the second one to raise doubt about it being Hermman's. I don't know, but here's some pics of Hermann's from Wikipedia for comparison.
Pic of a Hermman's Tortoise (front) from Wikipedia:


Pic of a Hermman's Tortoise (over head) from Wikipedia:


c123's first pic:


Oh, and c123, here's the Help Page for posting. That'll show you what to do. Hope that helps.

[Vanessa]

Little random but I'm from SD too!! And I keep the house pretty cold too but it was dropping really low at night so I got a light that will keep him warm at night and he likes it

[Vanessa]

Also your tort is probly starving all they feed them is pellet food and don't even put water in it to make it edible I've already complained but they said its fine, I would go to a vet right away, all animal pet hospital Dr.Williams is one of the best reptile vets in town, he works part time at the zoo he's a nice guy

[Vanessa]

And first visit is free for torts, but after first free visit it's 30 dollers

[KQ6AR]

Hi,
 A lot of the books on the market are garbage, written by people who don't even keep russians.
Not saying the one you have is, but do yourself a favor & read the care section of this website. A lot of years of research went into developing this website. I think its over 20 years. I've known Joe at least 15 years.

[ashross77]

Wow you guys are all great! Thanks for the tips! I think I got VERY lucky when I stumbled onto this website! :-) We are so very much enjoying our 2 RT's they just love to explore.

@ Vanessa I believe you on the "starving" issue. Although the 2 RT's looked healthy enough as soon as they got settled into their cage and i fed them some fresh greens they ate every last little leaf i had in there. I have been giving them fresh greens every time I notice them up and about and they always go straight to it eating all that I put in there.

Im glad i couldnt resist both and had to get them both!

[ashross77]

My Babies!

[ashross77]

My RT's in their new home.

[ashross77]

.....Jazzy my female

[ashross77]

my daughter and Jazzy and Rocky