New Russian Tortoise

[bityrock24]

Well today as my hubby is on his way out the door to go out of town for the weekend, he tells me he found a tortoise on CL and made the arrangements for me to get him. Seeing how I have been telling that some day I would like to have a Torti. Well I really don't know a lot about them and have done research about them talked to a friend that knows a lot about turtles and tort's, but still feel really lost. I bought a book on them as well. THe people gave me this stuff called Turtle Vita shell and said that they would do it weekly on him. Should I continue to use it or stop and just toss it out. Here are pictures of him, NOTE the white on his shell is calcium powder that had gotten on his shell from the people I got him from not something else, also he is on paper towels only becuase there is a whole in the bottom of the tank and they had him on news paper and had no hide for him. I cut out the box for him and put the paper towles becuase I didn't have news paper and all the pet stores where closed by the time I had picked him up tonight. He didn't even have a water or food dish so I put in the small dessert plates for him to have some water and gave him some Romane (sp?) lettus and some spring mix ( 2 types of green leaf and a red leaf lettus no iceburg). Anyway here are the pictures.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...1/9/tort_2.jpg

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...1/9/tort_1.jpg

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...1/9/tort_5.jpg

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...1/9/tort_7.jpg

Any info would be wonderful, just remember this was no my idea but am going to go with it. Just trying to do it the right way.

[python.princess]

I don't know anything about them so I can't give you any advice but... he sure is cute! Congrats and good luck!

[TooManyToys]

Just a couple comments on your post. Don't use the vita shell, just keep the shell clean. The tort also needs more than greens. I have had oustanding luck with Mazuri Tortoise chow. Your local feed store should be able to get it.

[bityrock24]

I read that the Commercial stuff dry stuff was not good for them, I was able to get Grasslands Tortoise Yummies, it's like a paste of sorts and the box has Hibiscus/cactus fruit, Cactus, and grass in it. Each is in a different tube. I put some on a plate and he didn't touch any of it. I have Hosta in my flowerbeds that are also blumming, I have Rose as well but no flowers (darn hubby), Butterfly bush, we are growing some veggi's but they are not ripe yet, soon will have some Tomatoe's just waiting for them to get Red. When I go to the store again in a few days I plan on getting a piece of prickly pear. I know the people I got him from where only giving greens, and then would sprinkly once a week the repti Cal on his food. I have a cutle bone in his tank for him instead but because I have a gecko have the powder that is from oyster shell.

[TooManyToys]

You should do a little more research. All of the major zoo's use Mazuri for their tort's to supplement the greens. Just wet it down a bit.

[bityrock24]

That's why I'm pn here, because stuff that I am reading will say do this then another site will say don't do that. Seeing how most everything is conflicting I figured that I would come here and ask the people that really do know. This way I can get it right the first time around and not cost the animal anything.

[TooManyToys]

That's why I'm pn here, because stuff that I am reading will say do this then another site will say don't do that. Seeing how most everything is conflicting I figured that I would come here and ask the people that really do know. This way I can get it right the first time around and not cost the animal anything.

Take a look at this link and click on the Tortise specifications.

https://www.mazuri.com/Home.asp?Products=2&Opening=3

[bityrock24]

When I click on the link it puts me back into to thread and when I paste it it won't open up at all.

[TooManyToys]

When I click on the link it puts me back into to thread and when I paste it it won't open up at all.

Products
Animal Groupings
Reptile
Tortoise Chow

[bityrock24]

Ok another question, I was telling my friend that has a Eastern Box turtle about this food and she was wondering if it would be good for her turtle? Or if not what would.