Hello

[gotrenzi]

Hi all,
I am a huge fan of Russian torts.  I had 2 that I got from a pet store.  They were nearly grown when I got them and the pet store was feeding them some meaty reptile paste food.  I bought them both to save them from the diet.  Well that and I loved them!  My boy Gandalf lived about 4 years and Morla (female) lived about 8.  I had a really hard time getting good information about taking care of them.  I'm so glad I've since found so much more info.  I never knew if my 2 were just unhealthy from the start or if I made mistakes with them. 
Anyway...I saw a Russian at the pet store the other day and she was adorable!  I got all excited for torts again and I think I'm going to get a new one soon.  Any suggestions on where to get one young & healthy, good vets, etc?  I live in Central Massacusetts.  Thanks for all the great pics & info everyone!

[smithen]

Hello and welcome to the forums  , if your looking for a young healthy tort you will defiantly want to be looking at breeders in your area, im not sure but i think Joe might know some that can atleast ship to your area. as for vets im not sure, i am from cincinnati ohio so i dont know any vets out near you lol, your best bet is to probably do a google search for reptile vets in your area then when you find one search them in google and see if anyone has any feedback on them.

[Crush]

I would suggest getting one from a breeder or from a rescue!! I can give you some email addresses if you'd like! Also, the vets, I forgot where it is, but Joe actually has a link where you can go and see all the good vets in your area from other people. I think you may could even find it on this forum. Let me know if you have any other questions! And welcome!

Caitlyn

[mctlong]

Also, the vets, I forgot where it is, but Joe actually has a link where you can go and see all the good vets in your area from other people. I think you may could even find it on this forum. Let me know if you have any other questions! And welcome!

Caitlyn

http://www.russiantortoise.org/veterinarian_listings.htm

 :)welcome

[Jules]

My boy Gandalf lived about 4 years and Morla (female) lived about 8.  I had a really hard time getting good information about taking care of them.  I'm so glad I've since found so much more info.  I never knew if my 2 were just unhealthy from the start or if I made mistakes with them. 

I am assuming they died?  RTs can live perhaps to 100 years. 

[gotrenzi]

I am assuming they died?  RTs can live perhaps to 100 years. 
[/quote]

Yes I had two RTs from Petco that I had for 4 years (the male) & 8 years (the female).  I don't know how old they were when I got them but they were about 7" long from head to tail on the shell.  (so not counting their heads and tails)  When I first saw them in the petstore, they were eating some kind of meaty paste and the store had them identified incorrectly.  This was a store where my friend had gotten small animals that also died quickly due to poor care in the store.  Anyway, yes they died and I never knew why.  At the time the internet was not as abound with information.  I'm also against getting a pet store animal again because I don't know the animal's history and if it's had good care.  (although in a way that makes me WANT them to save them from poor conditions!....)