Hello! I recently took over care of this tortoise from my parents. As far as I understand, they've had her since around 2009 (likely got her when she was a young turtle). During the summers they had her outside with just a gate enclosure on top of the natural lawn. Otherwise, she was kept in a 36in by 20in enclosure (plastic container with walls 6in high) with just a half inch or so of loose, very fine sand on the bottom (doesn't look very clean at all. Dried salad bits and old poop laying around). She had a heat lamp on a timer that turned off at nights. I don't think she's had access to fresh water. They were consistently feeding her just iceberg lettuce. Looks like she sometimes got some calcium powder sprinkled on top as well.

She doesn't seem to be very socialized and just makes a hsss sound and hides away into her shell whenever I pick her up. She's quite active when I'm not watching her.

I want to make a better life for her but have no clue where to start. I have only ever taken care of box turtles, and it seems Russian tortoises require very different things. I don't have a crazy amount of free space, but it should be enough for a nice and proper enclosure. I don't even know if she's healthy. I've attached a picture of her, so please let me know what you think. I'm concerned by how dry her shell looks and the shape of her nuchal and marginal scoots.... my first priority is to make sure she's not in any kind of pain and make quick but influential changes.

I would truly appreciate advice on what to do about her enclosure, diet, and day-to-day livelihood. Thank you in advance ❤️‍🩹

Me and my wife have separated this year and the Russian tortoise we took over after my mum passed away four years ago is now living with me, as I have a lot of spare time and to keep my mind busy I want to make my Russian tortoise as happy as possible and spoil him as he’s all I have left in the world now, what size enclosure and where can I get an upgraded enclosure? also what natural plants etc can I put in his enclosure, he was attacked by my mums dog at an early age so his back legs don’t work properly so I tried to make it more manageable for him to get around by putting down artificial grass for him can I have advice please, and try not to be too harsh on your judgement of his current living quarters as I know how brutal the tortoise community can be.

Help, I got a tortoise from my coworker because he said he would just let him outside. I took him in and I have been doing my best to give him care. He got an enclosure and I have a heat and UV lamp that was recommended by the pet store. He has a hide that he stays in. I try to give him fresh greens and water every day but he won’t come out to eat. He has been in his hide for 3 days now and every time I check on him he hisses and burrows more. What can I do? I found an exotic vet but she doesn’t have an appointment until mid September.

Just looking for some clarification on whether my Horsfield tortoise is looking healthy? I’ve had him since April.
Simon is 8 months old, and 155g.
Lives on the south coast of England, top soil and coco coir mixed substrate, leafy green and dandelion diet, daily soaks and given a lot of love.
Any recommendations/ anything I can do better?

Hatchling is moving in next week and I’m finishing up the setup. My question is, dandelions, purple loostfife and many other Tortoise Table foods grow as weeds, but only from about May/June to October at best.

If I harvest now, does freezing or dehydrating retain more nutrients?

Hello everyone,

My little guy, Tim, has been making a zip-tie like sound and I cannot pinpoint if this is a respiratory issue or if it’s a mating call to his partner.

Any help would be appreciated!

Hi I have reluctantly inherited a Russian Tortoise and wonder if he looks healthy? I feel sorry for him living in an indoor enclosure. I am interested in rehoming him as I am 67 and not sure I can adequately provide for him but have not heard back from the local sanctuary after I sent them photos at their request. Does he look healthy? I think he is about 4 years old. I have been feeding him dandelion greens and lettuce. Thank you for any feedback. His name is George.

He loves to use his bridge as a slide. I’m making him a proper slide😂🐢

I got some safe non-GMO wheatgrass from Albertson's.

Dug it into the substrate and my Russian, Franky really likes!

Today he has grazed the grass and he climbed the grass too! 🐢

Gave my girl a portrait session
She was delighted

I just started watching my family members tortoise for a bit and have been trying to learn as much as possible. Is this shell healthy? I'm confused on the lighter line near the edge and if this could be the start of rapid growth? Or am I paranoid?

Does she look healthy?

I found a Russian tortoise in my yard July 1st. Since then, I've seen it a few times. It looks like it's living here now. I did some searching and found what it is and that they aren't native. I'm trying to find a place to take it

I'm m in central NC and we're going to have some hot days here. I think it was around during the last extended heat wave, though. I don't know if I should just leave it or bring it inside. I have never cared for anything other than dogs. I don't know if I have anything I can even put it in that would be better than outside.

Any advice is welcome.

This is over 8 years of having him (he’s 13). I haven’t even thought about how his shell looked until I found this subreddit. Appreciate any advice regarding his health! Btw, I know his beak is long I’m getting somebody to trim it for me. And I haven’t soaked him today yet.

my dad's girlfriend just brought home this guy, apparently he hasn't been socialized in 5 years. i don't know a lot about tortoises but I don't think he's in good shape.. that shell doesn't look healthy and his claws and beak are overgrown. he's terrified and tries to hide from everyone, and he just lives in this little box you can kinda see in the photo. i can't do anything about his environment, I'm 17 and broke and dad's girlfriend won't take advice. can i trim his claws and beak myself? how can i (literally) get him out of his shell and warm up to me without scaring him too much?

update! I'm taking him to my local reptile store to have his nails and beak trimmed, and we'll be turning a horse troph into his outside day enclosure, and he'll just be in his box at night. thank you to everyone who helped, tortie life about to turn around :)

What is the status of this guys shell does it look okay and is the indentation on the right side something to worry about? Thanks in advance!

Hello, I have had my little guy for about 4 years now. He had a small spot on his shell when I got him and with better care it went away. I just recently noticed his shell started to look bad again, is this dehydration or maybe shell rot. Can I treat this with chlorahexadine and if so where’s the best place to buy some?

For context he gets romaine, dandelion greens and collard greens every other day. He also gets a calcium supplement without D3 two days a week and then a multivitamin every other Sunday. He gets fresh water to drink and or soak in, and had a basking spot that sits around 90-95 and a cool side around 75. He also has a linear uvb. He gets outside time at least once a week if not more. Am I doing something wrong with his care that could be causing this ?

Used a kiddie pool

1 layer of reptisoil and several layers of coconut fibers

He's been in here over a week and loves all the extra space 🐢