Q&A for How to Take Care of a Russian Tortoise

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Where can I buy the right lights?

Community Answer

Any reptile dealer should stock the correct light bulbs.

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Question

My parents agreed to let me get a tortoise. We are a military family and we move around every 3-5 years, I need a small tortoise that doesn't mind being handled. What can I do?

Community Answer

Russian tortoises generally grow to be around 8-10 inches and can live for up to 50 years, but they are very easy to care for.

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Question

How do I tell if the tortoise is male or female?

Community Answer

You can tell by looking at their tails. The males have longer tails (touch their hind legs) and spurs on their tail tips. You can find spur pictures through an image search. Once you see an example of one, it's pretty easy to sex yours.

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Question

Can I put a name tag on its shell?

Community Answer

You shouldn't. Tortoises have pores in their shells that soak up harmful substances that can be in pens, paint, soap, markers, etc. It can make them sick and possibly even kill them.

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Question

I live in a climate that does not have vegetation during the winter, what is an appropriate food source for my Russian tortoise?

Community Answer

Get some collard greens from your local store and some bell peppers. You can also give them a small amount of blackberries each day.

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Question

How should I carry it?

Simon

Community Answer

Gently lift it from underneath its shell. But be careful not to squeeze, or press down on him.

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Question

I have been feeding my turtle a diet of lettuce and cucumbers, but I heard vegetables are harmful. What shouold I feed him?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

Lettuce and cucumbers don't provide many nutrients. Succulents and weeds like dandelions are good and easy to find (make sure they are free of pesticides). Provide cuttlefish bone or calcium supplement powder once in a while.

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Question

How can I give calcium to a tortoise?

Community Answer

You can put calcium powder on the food before you feed your tortoise. Calcium powder is available online or in pet stores.

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Question

Where should I get my tortoise?

Birds101

Community Answer

Most pet stores sell them, but you can also find them online, at shelters, and at Reptile Expos.

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Question

Is it okay to trim the beak or nails of a tortoise?

Community Answer

You can trim the nails easily. You can see the nerve since the nails are light. See a vet for help with trimming its beak.

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Question

I am going to get a Russian tortoise in the summer, and I have read that you can keep them in a plastic storage container. Can I do that?

Community Answer

Yes, that's fine for younger Russian tortoises, but as they get older you will probably want to upgrade to a larger enclosure. Just make sure it's the largest possible bin size, you can usually find them at Walmart.

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Question

How do I prevent my Russian tortoise from hibernating?

Community Answer

Keep the tortoise's environment warm. Tortoises hibernate when they begin to get cold.

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Question

My tortoise got pneumonia, should I keep him out of the sun?

Community Answer

You should take him to a vet as this is potentially fatal. Avoid sudden and large temperature swings, dust, as well as keeping it on the floor.

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Question

Do Russian turtles bite, and if so, does it hurt?

Community Answer

All animals can bite and it would hurt if it did, but it wouldn't be excruciating.

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Question

I got a 2 year old Russian tortoise a week ago. Its eyes haven't opened and it hasn't eaten anything since I got it. What should I do?

Community Answer

Go to the vet immediately. It is impossible to make a correct diagnosis if one cannot examine the animal in person.

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Question

What kind of substrate can I use in my tortoise's enclosure?

Community Answer

You can use topsoil. This is natural for your tortoise and he can safely burrow.

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Question

How do I file down a tortoise beak?

Community Answer

You should book this procedure with the vet. They will trim down its beak for you. It's a quick procedure, but if you do it, the beak may be uneven or too short.

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Question

I feed my tortoise strawberries sometimes, and he enjoys them very much. Are they bad for him?

Community Answer

It is okay to feed him strawberries sometimes, but absolutely not on a regular basis. Strawberries have a very high sugar content.

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Question

Do I need to change the heating in my home if it is very cool and I want to keep my tortoise healthy?

Community Answer

No, you should get the appropriate heat lamp and UVB lamp, they are very important for your tortoise’s care. It helps them grow and stay healthy. If it is too cold, they will go into hibernation. Just heating your home will not do the job.

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Question

Is it safe to touch my tortoises tail?

Community Answer

My experience is they either do not care, or if they do not like it, they retract into their shell. It depends on how used to people touching him the tortoise is.

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Question

Do Russian tortoises like to be handled?

Brittney.B

Community Answer

Some do. It depends on the personality of a speccific animal.

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Question

Does being male or female effect their lifespan?

Birds101

Community Answer

Females tend to live slightly longer in most species, but it mostly boils down to proper care.

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Question

Can I get a disease or infection from handling a tortoise?

Community Answer

Reptiles can carry salmonella, but the risk of getting it is very small as long as you wash your hands after handling it.

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Question

Are there any other good starter tortoises?

Community Answer

I recommend either Horsefield or Hermann tortoises as they don't grow too big. Both are wonderful pets!

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Question

Can you buy bagged topsoil from home depot to put in the cage?

Community Answer

It's not recommended to use any soil with fertilizer or sand in it. Sand gets stuck in the digestive system and fertilizer is unhealthy for your tortoise. I recommend coco fiber mixed with clean unfertilized earth. You can order both online; just make sure that both are good for terrariums (no chemicals or dust or shredded wood etc.).

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Question

About how much does a Russian tortoise cost?

Community Answer

$60 - 80 USD for babies, $100 - 140 for adults.

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Question

What kinds of weeds or flowers can I feed a Russian tortoise?

Community Answer

Dandelions are a healthy favorite for Russian tortoises. Just be careful when picking them, to avoid feeding your tortoise dandelions that have been exposed to pesticides or weed killers.

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Question

I live in an apartment. No outside enclosure is possible. If I provide a great indoor enclosure is it still okay to get a tortoise?

Community Answer

You could, but it is not an ideal situation. Tortoises do not smell great and should really be able to be outside. There are plenty of other pets that are better suited for apartment life.

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Question

How/where do I get calcium and vitamin C supplements?

Community Answer

You can get them on Amazon or in a pet store. You can also make your own calcium powder by crushing up eggshells.

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Question

Can I keep my Russian tortoise in my bedroom with me?

Community Answer

Yes, but you'll want to take extra measures to keep its living environment clean so that your bedroom doesn't smell.

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