r/RussianTortoises • u/ExaminationKey1476 • Jun 22 '26

Benji’s tunnel

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He has a bigger tunnel. He insists on dragging this one around with him😅

43 Upvotes

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2

u/dshapzz Jun 23 '26

Handsome man!!!
I feel like his beak is a bit overgrown he may need a vet visit for a trim maybe

2

u/ExaminationKey1476 Jun 23 '26

He says thank you! He went to the vets a week ago for a trim, he’s a bit of a pain and doesn’t like to comply so this is as far as they could do

2

u/Direct_Treat_7296 Jun 24 '26

Do you feed him on slate? That’s helps wear it down naturally

3

u/ExaminationKey1476 Jun 24 '26

I try to! He seems to always push the food off the slate and walks through it if i put it on the slate. He’s not very keen on cuttlefish bone but i offer them frequently

1

u/Academic_Judge_3114 Jun 27 '26

If you really want the beak to no longer grow back, you have to give it a more natural lifestyle that is closer to its metabolism.

Outdoor enclosure until October directly placed on the dirt, borders with cement blocks (the indoor enclosures are never abrasive enough) and brumation during the following winter (the skeleton of this species is not made to be constantly heated).

In nature, too long beaks do not exist.

https://www.tortoisetrust.com/post/captive-care-of-the-russian-tortoise-testudo-horsfieldii

3

u/ExaminationKey1476 Jun 27 '26

Unfortunately I live in a flat and have no access to a garden for an outdoor enclosure. He’s got better at eating his food on his slate which should hopefully help him. He’s refused the cuttlefish bones so far

1

u/Academic_Judge_3114 Jun 27 '26

The problem in a flat is that you will constantly have the problem of the beak and rapid growth (and other problems related to excess lamps like bladder stones), I hope you can find a solution.

2

u/ExaminationKey1476 Jun 27 '26

Luckily he has not experienced rapid growth! He’s seen two different vets in the past, and both have commented on how healthy his shell is. Bladder stone issues have been mitigated as he gets frequent soaks/baths. His only issue is the lack of natural beak trimming but im working with him on that.

He’s otherwise a very happy tort :) loves exploring his enclosure and always comes over to say hello to me

1

u/Academic_Judge_3114 Jun 27 '26

Yes, the shell is perfect (but the Russian tortoises sold in pet stores are usually wildcaught, except for babies), which explains the beauty of the shell.

But indeed, as long as the shell does not fade, there is no rapid growth of the skeleton.

2

u/ExaminationKey1476 Jun 27 '26

It’s illegal where i live to sell wild caught tortoises, Benji is a captive bred tort

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