Just got a Russian Tortoise tonight! His name is Enzo. He had a stressful day but he is camping out right now under his log. He is about as big as a sandwitch.
As far as handling goes, there are ways to build trust with them so that they feel comfortable being handled - it's very useful to do this so that you can easily check their shells, eyes, nose and tail without stressing them out, as well as keeping them calm during vet visits, which you should do at least once a year especially if they are kept outside to check for parasites and just for a general check up. I always start by hand feeding them a couple of leaves or some carrot shavings for a treat to show to them that I'm not a threat - but it is important to hold the food at a distance and allow them to come to you (also watch your fingers, those beaks are sharp!), then over time as they get more comfortable being around me I will very occasionally give them gentle strokes on their shell, only for a few seconds at a time, and if they put pull their head into their shell or move away from me I stop straight away so as not to stress them out. Then eventually they will allow me to give them a little head rub, and in some cases a little chin rub. I also sit next to their enclosure and talk to them so that they get used to the sound of my voice, which they do recognise over time. We have two very young Horsefield's that already come out of their hides and to the edge of their enclosure to greet me and love to get a head rub, never flinch or run away, and also never panic or pee when I pick them up (as long as it's not sudden or when they've just woken up), just from patiently taking these steps to get them to trust me. We also had an older female (we unfortunately lost her in November) that my fiance had had for over 10 years, we're not sure how old she was because she was a rescue, but she had some serious health problems when she got her and was extremely timid, but in the last 4 years that we had her, she would literally refuse to go to sleep until she had been allowed to come out and have cuddles with my fiance because of the level of trust she had built with her. I think it's extremely beneficial to both you and your tortoise to try to build that trust - but it takes a lot of time and patience, sometimes years, sometimes just a few weeks. I have one that took us over a year to be able to even go near their enclosure without her flinching, while another would literally climb onto our hands within a couple of weeks of us having her. Everything just has to be done very gently and with moderation, but most Horsefield's will over time be very forthcoming.
I made my tortoise a hideout from a potatosack whith some plaster of paris. I took some huge books, taped them together in the shape I wanted and put it in a trashbag. Then I plastered stripes of potatosack whith the gipsy on top of that and left it to dry. My tortoise scrapes her beak on her house to keep it neat and healthy, it is not toxic for her couse plaster of paris has to be food regulated in germany and it is basically just calzium.
Hey new to the channel Great video very helpful you actually one of the very few people that tell the good side to keep them and how amazing that are keep it up 👍
I'd say snake is easier no light or UVB needed... And you only have to feed them once a week to twice a month... But still get a tortoise, they're cool! 😁
That's true. Iceberg lettuce really has no nutritional value at all, it's basically just water. Spinach and kale interfere with calcium absorption, that's why you want to give them only sparingly, and anything from the Cabbage family isn't good for them.
I was inspired by the layout of your tortoise vivarium thing, and I like the idea of the stick that your tortoise can climb over. I was wondering if a rusiian tortoise finds trees toxic or harmful, if so will a conifer tree branch be harmful.
Recently my tortoise has been acting weird, my first thought was the fact that it is the mating season. My tortoise is 5 years old and a male. Recently I have made him a custom made house inside his vivarium and he has been biting at the wood. Me thinking that he is hungry, I give him food and he refuses most of it but just nibbles at it. Because of this COVID 19, I have only been feeding him dandelions and dandelion leaves. I take him out 5 times a week and he has a lot of energy and he tries to bite my fingers and toes. My questions are: How much dandelion should there be in his diet? and Is this behavior because of any deficiencies for example calcium?
Great video. I just found one of these tortoises walking down our street. I guess it got out or someone let it go. No one has claimed him/her. I constructed temporary enclosure outside. I'm in TX, would I have to bring it in during the winter months?Temps can drop to freezing...sometimes for only days, sometimes for weeks.
Bring him in during the winter, you don't want to risk snow getting on them as they don't handle damp conditions well. Other wise it's perfectly fine to keep them outside, we keep our two outside from late spring to early fall and they love it.
Trying to decide between a Russian or a sulcata leaning towards a Russian because they don't get as big but I do think they are a lil more fun to have as a pet than a Russian
Thank you! This is so helpful. Good to know that I can let my Russian outside all year long, even in the winter. I live in North America. So, it's ok if we don't see them for a while when they are in our backyard?
Sounds Of Harmony hey, I don’t know your situation so not judging! Trying to budget for animals can be tricky, as long as you are in a financial state where you can dish out for bills, and any extras that come along you’re golden! If you have a money limit due to low income maybe wait a little longer and set aside a fund of money for your to be pet
I have a good feeling that that's not as easy to take care of as say, a leopard gecko, like i'm not an expert or anything, but turtles and tortoises are considered the hardest reptiles to take care of.
They truely are the easiest. During the spring summer and autumn mine stays outside eating natural plants in her enclosure..in the winter she hibernates inside. No feeding required.
@@ayk2086 they hibernate for like 6 months but summer months they need to see the outdoors and the sun. I seen people keep them inside with the best lights and still didn't make their shell.nice .
Hi I know I'm super late but I've been looking at getting a Russian tortoise and been researching and have been having a hard time finding an answer to my question, how quickly do Russian tortoises grow? (ik it'll vary but if anyone has a relative in per year pls lmk)
Izabella AquaZone thanks! Also do you have any ideas for substrates mine right now is all calcium sand but I might do half calcium sand half soil with some hay he is in a glass cage I just bought from petsmart
First of all what species is it and are you offering it the right food. It is possible it was hibernating or in a dormant state. What’s the temps like? Some species can go months without food but will get weaker and start to die. He could be sick. You should visit a vet.
Russian tortoises are actually NOT from russia, they’re from Pakistan, and Asia, and are called Russian tortoises because when russia invaded, they took these tortoises home as pets
Just got a Russian Tortoise tonight! His name is Enzo. He had a stressful day but he is camping out right now under his log. He is about as big as a sandwitch.
Cute!
Thank you so much ! You’ve helped me so much I’ve just rescued one
If ur talking about taking them from the wild, the. That’s not rescuing
@@dazzleasmr-i4b when did I say from outside lol?
@@dazzleasmr-i4b i doubt she lives in Southern Asia to be doing that
Stop making assumptions
I'm so into these tortoises that I'm thinking of getting one, and definitely taking notes!
As far as handling goes, there are ways to build trust with them so that they feel comfortable being handled - it's very useful to do this so that you can easily check their shells, eyes, nose and tail without stressing them out, as well as keeping them calm during vet visits, which you should do at least once a year especially if they are kept outside to check for parasites and just for a general check up. I always start by hand feeding them a couple of leaves or some carrot shavings for a treat to show to them that I'm not a threat - but it is important to hold the food at a distance and allow them to come to you (also watch your fingers, those beaks are sharp!), then over time as they get more comfortable being around me I will very occasionally give them gentle strokes on their shell, only for a few seconds at a time, and if they put pull their head into their shell or move away from me I stop straight away so as not to stress them out. Then eventually they will allow me to give them a little head rub, and in some cases a little chin rub. I also sit next to their enclosure and talk to them so that they get used to the sound of my voice, which they do recognise over time.
We have two very young Horsefield's that already come out of their hides and to the edge of their enclosure to greet me and love to get a head rub, never flinch or run away, and also never panic or pee when I pick them up (as long as it's not sudden or when they've just woken up), just from patiently taking these steps to get them to trust me. We also had an older female (we unfortunately lost her in November) that my fiance had had for over 10 years, we're not sure how old she was because she was a rescue, but she had some serious health problems when she got her and was extremely timid, but in the last 4 years that we had her, she would literally refuse to go to sleep until she had been allowed to come out and have cuddles with my fiance because of the level of trust she had built with her.
I think it's extremely beneficial to both you and your tortoise to try to build that trust - but it takes a lot of time and patience, sometimes years, sometimes just a few weeks. I have one that took us over a year to be able to even go near their enclosure without her flinching, while another would literally climb onto our hands within a couple of weeks of us having her. Everything just has to be done very gently and with moderation, but most Horsefield's will over time be very forthcoming.
Yes depends on tortoise and temperament. You can try gradually to handle them.
Please make more tortoise videos. 🐢 ❤
Tortoise handling video would be great!
I made my tortoise a hideout from a potatosack whith some plaster of paris. I took some huge books, taped them together in the shape I wanted and put it in a trashbag. Then I plastered stripes of potatosack whith the gipsy on top of that and left it to dry. My tortoise scrapes her beak on her house to keep it neat and healthy, it is not toxic for her couse plaster of paris has to be food regulated in germany and it is basically just calzium.
This was great, thanks! You said you were going to make an incubate and hatchling care video but I dont see it! That would be awesome from you!
I enjoyed your video sand learned a lot. Best I’ve seen yet.
Thank you so much! This video is extremely helpful! 🤩🤩
Hey new to the channel Great video very helpful you actually one of the very few people that tell the good side to keep them and how amazing that are keep it up 👍
Izabella, thank you. It was very helpful. Please make the video about feeding your tortoises. And one more: how to prepare a tortoise to hibernation?
I will try do that thanks for reminder :)
ua-cam.com/video/2_53iT5XJ5Y/v-deo.html
I might be getting a Russian tortoise, I have been researching a few days now, and I’m so excited ;)
Thank you for the info I'm a first time subscriber and I'm In love with you so gorgeous😉
This is a very helpful and informative video.
Will , your will . that was so cute. I do that all the time mix up words.
Hi, your information is very detailed and very useful. thks so much
nice enclosure. I built one myself too. They love to burrow and explore. Thank for sharing.
Fantastic video. Thank you
Thank you for this information I am getting a Russian tortoise for my birthday
Thank u so much for making this! I really needed it
You mentioned that you live in Montreal, I live in Montana. Do you keep them in outdoor enclosures all year long? How cold does it get where you live?
Not when it freezes they come inside
Im getting one soon. Im excited.
I'd say snake is easier no light or UVB needed... And you only have to feed them once a week to twice a month... But still get a tortoise, they're cool! 😁
Such a great informative video!
This is my first video watching of your I already subbed
I am getting a Russian tortoise on Friday and I am soooooo exited! You have inspired me to make a very big outdoor enclosure!
Did you get it?
I have 5 reptiles and they are so cute
thank you, been wanting to hear from someone in mtl, qc i just got a small one 3 months ago in mtl
Thank you for the video. Are UVA UVB bulbs ok (both in one light bulb)? Also, how long are the lights on for, all day, a couple of hours a day…….?
I was told that certain types of lettuce and greens are not good for them like Iceberg lettuce, spinach and bok choy.
That's true. Iceberg lettuce really has no nutritional value at all, it's basically just water. Spinach and kale interfere with calcium absorption, that's why you want to give them only sparingly, and anything from the Cabbage family isn't good for them.
Helped me soo much! Thanks alot!👍
You're welcome !
I was inspired by the layout of your tortoise vivarium thing, and I like the idea of the stick that your tortoise can climb over. I was wondering if a rusiian tortoise finds trees toxic or harmful, if so will a conifer tree branch be harmful.
The tortoise are really smart more than dog. They only eat toxic plant matter to detox from parasites.
@@AquazoneQC Thanks!
Recently my tortoise has been acting weird, my first thought was the fact that it is the mating season. My tortoise is 5 years old and a male. Recently I have made him a custom made house inside his vivarium and he has been biting at the wood. Me thinking that he is hungry, I give him food and he refuses most of it but just nibbles at it. Because of this COVID 19, I have only been feeding him dandelions and dandelion leaves. I take him out 5 times a week and he has a lot of energy and he tries to bite my fingers and toes. My questions are: How much dandelion should there be in his diet? and Is this behavior because of any deficiencies for example calcium?
Hello! I plan on getting a Russian tortoise but I don’t know where I should buy them from?
Great video. I just found one of these tortoises walking down our street. I guess it got out or someone let it go. No one has claimed him/her. I constructed temporary enclosure outside. I'm in TX, would I have to bring it in during the winter months?Temps can drop to freezing...sometimes for only days, sometimes for weeks.
These torts hibernate and can tolerate temps much lower than Texas hehe... But they need to be able to dig down to 4 feet in if they want
@@AquazoneQC Thank you.
Bring him in during the winter, you don't want to risk snow getting on them as they don't handle damp conditions well. Other wise it's perfectly fine to keep them outside, we keep our two outside from late spring to early fall and they love it.
It wasn't in Waco (Hewitt) by chance? That's where mine got away
@@abbyvillarreal1188 No, closer to Dallas. Weeks after I found him he got away again. Might be headed your way.
Thank you so much for this 💚🐾💫
Thanks for all this great info! Im so torn between a Russian or a Mediterranean Spur-thighed tortoise now!
EXCELLENT REVIEW!
I recently rescued a Russian tortoise, I need help caring for him could you contact me and see what I need to change?
Try FB Russian tortoise group!
Some good advice here. From another tort owner
Great video, very informative! Can you please share the dimensions you used to create your enclosure?
4'*8'
Imma buy one toommaro
Do Russian turtles really stay small forever? I watched another video about these and the lady said the males stay 5-6 inches..
That's about how big males get
Yea they stay about that size, we've had ours for 20 years and they have never gotten bigger than that
Where did you get them? I have two males from pet smart. I would like to have a female.
I love this video!
Hey, i have a question: if i live in eastern europe will they be inactive for 6 month's?
Trying to decide between a Russian or a sulcata leaning towards a Russian because they don't get as big but I do think they are a lil more fun to have as a pet than a Russian
Hi I was wondering if Russian tortoises eat strawberries because I’m getting one and I need care of it and do they need a heat lamp
Yes they eat all berries. But not often because fruit sugar make candida in their gut. Not good too much !maybe 1x a month small portion
Ok thanks
Do they also need a heat lamp
Thank you! This is so helpful. Good to know that I can let my Russian outside all year long, even in the winter. I live in North America. So, it's ok if we don't see them for a while when they are in our backyard?
Always keep eyes on where they are , they escape !
@Luka A. I was thinking the sameee, I have two and have always been taught to keep them warm
Aww so cute 🐢
Lovely 🐢🤓
Thanks dear
Thank you!!! I just got one!!
Congrats !!
Where is the best place to purchase these? Where did you purchase yours? How much did it cost? Great video btw
Breeders local, you can search in your region.
Sounds Of Harmony hey, I don’t know your situation so not judging! Trying to budget for animals can be tricky, as long as you are in a financial state where you can dish out for bills, and any extras that come along you’re golden! If you have a money limit due to low income maybe wait a little longer and set aside a fund of money for your to be pet
where did you get the logs from
How often and how much do you feed your tortoise? Thanks
As much as she wants every day food is full and outside it's her choice what she wants to eat
Where did you get your tortoise from?
BUT QUICK LOOOK AT MY FAAAAACE!!!
Hi, I'm trying how to trim my tortoise's beak, every time I try he pulls his head back in, tried with a vet also. Any suggestions. Thanks
The vet not able ? Instead of cutting perhaps try grinding down with a dremmel :)
@@AquazoneQC Thanks, I'll have him give a try.
Place his/her food on slate tile or terra cotta. This will trim their beaks and claws.
Get a calcium bone I got mine that and it works like wonders
@@ughzero1847 Thank you, a good idea and I'm going to give it a try.
You’re not supposed to ever use sand! It causes impactions !
is the hibernation video still in your mind?
Also is it safe to let them out in the winter?
I will try soon hehe so many subjects yet to cover !
Do you still have your two tortoises
I got you you the 100th like
Well I hope you keep on making more videos because you are a beautiful woman
very surprise for me u take care of all ur pets by yourself as a hobby or is it your shop ?
My company takes care of people aquarium but the animals are all mine here
You’re so pretty!
I have a good feeling that that's not as easy to take care of as say, a leopard gecko, like i'm not an expert or anything, but turtles and tortoises are considered the hardest reptiles to take care of.
They truely are the easiest. During the spring summer and autumn mine stays outside eating natural plants in her enclosure..in the winter she hibernates inside. No feeding required.
You are beautiful and have a really nice accent. Great video
Cool video! Thanks! I'd just recommend simpler font next time because this one is not easy to read :)
Awe love tortiose 😱
Russian Tortoise so cute, like you Izabella :3
why my tortoise is not eating anything in winters?
Delightful.
what is the recommended table size for the tortoise? is 36"x18" enough???
Yes as a minimum but you gotta.let them walk around freely at some point they walk in nature kms a day.
@@AquazoneQC what do u mean freely ? u mean in my garden?
@@ayk2086 I meaning your home or garden you can. Make enclosure, they just need to walk not just sleep in a terrarium.
@@AquazoneQC ye i have a big garden but I live in London so the weather isn't that hot rn . Is that okay ?? is that a problem
@@ayk2086 they hibernate for like 6 months but summer months they need to see the outdoors and the sun. I seen people keep them inside with the best lights and still didn't make their shell.nice .
Is it out of sinq for anyone else
Do you keep your tortoise outside all year?
No it comes.home before frost
Hi I know I'm super late but I've been looking at getting a Russian tortoise and been researching and have been having a hard time finding an answer to my question, how quickly do Russian tortoises grow? (ik it'll vary but if anyone has a relative in per year pls lmk)
They grow very slow 1 inch a year
@@AquazoneQC Thanks!
The females will end up bigger than males. This is normal 🙂
just got one for my birthday eeeee
Congrats !
Izabella AquaZone thanks! Also do you have any ideas for substrates mine right now is all calcium sand but I might do half calcium sand half soil with some hay he is in a glass cage I just bought from petsmart
Raw or cooked bones? My fav UA-cam! 👍🏻
Just bones dry raw bones I guess lol
how big do they get
I live in Washington state where can I buy two Russian tortoises
Luckily for you, America has tons in regular pet stores
Thank you 😊
Ever single time I hold my tortoise it has never been pee or poop on me
U have a calm vibe :)
Where can you buy these torts?
Breeders :)
Hello I adopted a tortoise from my neighbor and he has not eaten once , Its almost 2 months
First of all what species is it and are you offering it the right food. It is possible it was hibernating or in a dormant state. What’s the temps like? Some species can go months without food but will get weaker and start to die. He could be sick. You should visit a vet.
Correct ! I would take him for a check up as all new animal.u acquire.
Can you put their back
Nope
@@KoKo-fh9on ok
Are you suppose to watch there heads mine is pretty dirty
My Russian tortoise Jack Burton, practically soakes himself at least every other day.
Очень хорошее видео. Спасибо!
One animal I've always loved but just can't care for him his entire life ... Amazing animals. Check out my channel. We do similar things
no hate but alot of you said and didn't include goes against what else i have heard.
That's usually the case with me ;)
Which country you live ?
Canada
My Russian tortoise let's me pet her head cuddle her play with her pet her paws put her on my chest and she does not poop on me or pee on me
please tell
Russian tortoises are actually NOT from russia, they’re from Pakistan, and Asia, and are called Russian tortoises because when russia invaded, they took these tortoises home as pets
Jesus loves you 💞✨
I got one 😁😁
Cuttiepie Kittenlover do you know how big they get??
@@akarui1014 yeah they get 5-6 inches for males and 6-8 maybe 10 inches for females
These do NOT come from Russia or their plains
My tortoise wont eat or drink...
Please see a vet
Izabella AquaZone we are returning the tortoise and getting a new one but the tortoise we return will be in great care at the vet I hope
The tortoise seems overfed
What is your accent
Canada Russian french English Spanish Mandarin whatever lol
Leopard gecko much?
Long time ago
𝔸𝕞𝕒𝕫𝕚𝕟𝕘!
Thank u !!