Russians and Water

[Russell]

Whenever i let Stella (my tort) go for a soak she hates it and thrashes to get out, any advice? 
And, when i purchased her the clerk at the pet-shop told me that i shouldn't have any water dish in her cage because it can vaporize and become too humid for her respiratory system, is this proper?  no water dish for Stella?

[Becky]

You should always have a shallow water dish, always.
What i do as one of my torts hates a bath, i put a folded of flannel in the water. I have found he pears over the side and drinks freely and is less stressed, also his body is still submerged but he feels safer. Also if he is in the water he knows he`s got a little island to get on, but you must keep up with the baths. Mine get a soak at least 3 times a week everyweek its so important to keep them hydrated. Even if you don`t see him drink he still absorbes the water.

[Joe H]

Whenever i let Stella (my tort) go for a soak she hates it and thrashes to get out, any advice? 
And, when i purchased her the clerk at the pet-shop told me that i shouldn't have any water dish in her cage because it can vaporize and become too humid for her respiratory system, is this proper?  no water dish for Stella?

Becky's suggestion is good.

Always keep water in with him. They aren't as sensitive to humidity as some will lead you to believe

[tiggz0r]

I didn't know that you had to "soak" them!? Oh man, everthing that the pet stores has told is SO wrong....

[Becky]

LOL, your not meant to bath and shampoo them!
Just plain old water, and make sure their heads are not submerged.
Becky.

[tiggz0r]

Thanks, maybe when we get back today I'll give him his first soaking! yay!

[Joe H]

I didn't know that you had to "soak" them!? Oh man, everthing that the pet stores has told is SO wrong....

Unfortunatly for many pet stores it usually is wrong

[tiggz0r]

Man, that sucks.

[Joe H]

Man, that sucks.

Yep but Long Island Turtle Rescue is working hard to change that

[Brian]

I actually keep some things that drink less then a Russian. Where humidity does hurt them.  I think that humidity thing comes from people who keep desert reptiles in to small of cages where humidity builds up.

 My Russian's were scared of water for about 9 months or so then all of a sudden they loved it.  They still rarely drink though.

[lepinsky]

Make sure the water is nice and warm (you might have to keep changing it to keep it from going cold), and that the water comes half way up (i.e. where the top of the shell joins the bottom).  I find it's best if they are in a container where they can't see out (less stress).

Nina

[racingzeno]

Man, that sucks.

Yep but Massachusetts Turtle Rescue and Long Island Turtle Rescue are working hard to change that

Seeing that the tort industry is a wonderfully ethical place, with proper husbandry at every corner, accurate information pouring forth from every pet store and everyone agrees on the best diet and methods for caring for torts. i will say that they are doing a bang up job. (note heavy sarcasm)

My expierence with MaTR is when i asked for help addressing bad tort care at my local store i was told to "be my own resource" and essentially start volunteering at the store and change their habitats. Whats the use of having experts and specialists if they just make others feel guilty for not being a tort rescuer.

I am starting to see why this forum was hacked. 

[Joe H]

Man, that sucks.

Yep but Massachusetts Turtle Rescue and Long Island Turtle Rescue are working hard to change that

Seeing that the tort industry is a wonderfully ethical place, with proper husbandry at every corner, accurate information pouring forth from every pet store and everyone agrees on the best diet and methods for caring for torts. i will say that they are doing a bang up job. (note heavy sarcasm)

My expierence with MaTR is when i asked for help addressing bad tort care at my local store i was told to "be my own resource" and essentially start volunteering at the store and change their habitats. Whats the use of having experts and specialists if they just make others feel guilty for not being a tort rescuer.

I am starting to see why this forum was hacked. 

Ouch again!!!!

I see you are bothered by the truth

BTW the site was hacked by porn spammers

If you are so unhappy with the forum...why are you here?

[maturtlerescue]

Seeing that the tort industry is a wonderfully ethical place, with proper husbandry at every corner, accurate information pouring forth from every pet store and everyone agrees on the best diet and methods for caring for torts. i will say that they are doing a bang up job. (note heavy sarcasm)

If you pay the airfare, put me up in a hotel room, and the salary I'd loose at my night job (note: this is seperate from my turtle organization, in which I volunteer for), I will go there and work with the pet stores you have walked away from.   

My expierence with MaTR is when i asked for help addressing bad tort care at my local store i was told to "be my own resource" and essentially start volunteering at the store and change their habitats. Whats the use of having experts and specialists if they just make others feel guilty for not being a tort rescuer.

On the contray; the advise given was a tool to help you work out the situation and benefit the animals you claim to care about. 

[racingzeno]

I thought of a better idea. How bout someone at the tort rescue act like a resource and put together a comprehensive care sheet that explains the basic needs of healthy torts. then write a cover letter that goes something like this.

Dear pet store.

Someone in our volunteer network has alerted us to the fact that you have russian torts for sale. we are interested in the health and proper care of all tortoises and we are sure that you recognize the financial link between animal health and profits. please read the enclosed care sheet and feel free to contact us with any questions.

Thank you kindly
MaTR

Then put out the worrd that you have such a service available and ask people all over the contry to "turn in" the addresses of pet stores that might be illinformed of the basic and special needs of captive torts. then when you get an address you can mail out a real official and personally signed cover letter and care sheet with a business card, written on your organization letter head.

The pet store will increase its knowledge of tort care thus sounding informed when they pitch a sale, they will sell more healthy torts and make more money, they will then send you a generous donation for your care and support and you can quit your day/night  job and create a turtle care certification program where pet stores can proudly display the MaTR approved sticker in the window if they meet the basic requirements for healthy torts( and pay their yearly dues). and you can spread the word to people to only buy their torts from Debbie approved stores. you will become the J.D Power of the pet world!

just an idea.