He hasn't been well taken care of I can't find a local vet Nearest is over 90 miles away. He has been eating well I don't know what kind he is The best I can tell is that he is a Russian. He loves cucumbers and romaine lettuce also am feeding him commerial food . But I worry about him soaking in the water all day and night. He will eat right out of my hand so he is not scared.
2007-03-11 15:28:26 · 5 answers · asked by jaye-lee 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
They wouldn't normally spend that much time in water. Has he been going to the bathroom okay? Sometimes if they're constipated, warm water will help them "go".
Make sure he's got warm temps. This will help if he's having trouble digesting food. Feed him early in the day as well - about an hour or so after it's daylight - this is their normal feeding strategy, eat early, bask and digest the rest of the day. If he's dehydrated, he may be rehydrating, or may just like the extra humidity. Is he able to get out of the water easily (has steps or this is a low container)?
Typically, I'd tell you to feed less watery food. Russians are designed for more fiberous foods and dry grasses and fiberous plants like dandelion and plantain (Plantago sp.) are good for them. A leopard tortiose I worked with also liked grape leaves (leaf only, no stem). Your commercial food may be offsetting the liquid already, depending how much of each he's eating.
2007-03-11 16:25:04 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait, you have him in WATER?
No, it is not okay. The water area for a tortoise should be enough for him to soak and thats it. I use a plastic dish thats about 9inches across and half-inch deep.
Spending all his time in water will kill him. A wet russian tort will get sick very quickly.
Take him out on dry land, let him dry off, and only soak him once a day for ten-fifteen minutes in baby-warm water. This should encourage hydration and will make them go to the bathroom.
If you no longer want to take care of him, please email me.
2007-03-12 03:11:59 · answer #2 · answered by Sputz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he wasn't well taken care of he might be soaking himself because he was deyhdrated.. I would stop him from doing that though as it's not good for them. Supply him with a dish of water he can't climb in.
Also make sure the temp in the enclosure is not to high.. that could be another reason for his soaking.. to cool down.
Here is a care site for them.
http://www.russiantortoise.org/
Good Luck
2007-03-11 15:34:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turtles like water, a tortoise is a land creature.
2007-03-11 15:36:43 · answer #4 · answered by Wurm™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He sounds like a very friendly turtle. Give him something with a smooth surface to climb up on.
2007-03-11 15:40:59 · answer #5 · answered by chester 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋