Found Abandoned Russian Tortiouse

[mrbonzai211]

So I found a russian tortoise that was abandoned in a property my family owns and it has been there alone for well over a month. It appears fine but I'm watching it closely. I took it home, gave it fresh water, a bowl full of collard greens and cut up cucumber. I already looked at several care sheets, but owning pets as long as I have I've learned that all the best information comes from people and not websites. I was wondering if some owners could pass on some information to me in case I want to keep it. I think it's still very young and is about 4 inches long. One specific question is if I should be worried about salmonella, but any and all info is welcomed. Thank you in advance!

P.S.
If i don't decide to keep it, I'm going to trade it to a local pet store for H. arizonensis, a P. murinus, and maybe a G. rosea too.

 

[hardlucktattoo]

Very cool Ive been wanting one for a while but i havent done the research necessary yet but good luck and I hope you decide to keep it

 

[Mushroom Spore]

One specific question is if I should be worried about salmonella

ANY reptile stands a good chance of carrying salmonella, but as long as you wash your hands and don't otherwise track feces where you eat, you'll never have a problem.

I have no personal tort experience, but I do know this: we need pictures!

 

[mikeythefireman]

They can be exceptionally hardy and die with perfect care.:?

Like Spore said, assume every reptile can communicate salmonella unless proven otherwise. And let's see those pics.

 

[mrbonzai211]

What are the chances, nowadays, that my Russian tortiose has salmonella? I assume it's just one of those Petco or Petsmart ones; if that makes a difference.

 

[clam1991]

i wanna know how big they get because people always stop in at my local pet-co to pick em up for their kids to teach em responsibility

but do they get as big as other tortoises?

 

[mrbonzai211]

i wanna know how big they get because people always stop in at my local pet-co to pick em up for their kids to teach em responsibility

but do they get as big as other tortoises?

Wow, 50+ years is quite a commitment to teach a kid. And the answer to your question is between 5 and 10 inches depending on diet, sex, genetics, etc.

 

[clam1991]

haha thats great
man those kids are gunna be complaining in like a month
i can hear it now
"whens this thing supposed to die!!!"
priceless

petco wont tell you anything unless you really ask

 

[Mushroom Spore]

What are the chances, nowadays, that my Russian tortiose has salmonella? I assume it's just one of those Petco or Petsmart ones; if that makes a difference.

You're looking at it wrong. It's not a contracted disease - salmonella is a natural, harmless (to the carrier) presence in the guts of many reptiles just like E. coli naturally exists in the human gut.

As high as 90% of reptiles are natural carriers of Salmonella bacteria, harboring strains specific to reptiles without any symptoms of disease in the reptile. While it is true that many pets can carry Salmonella, the problem with reptiles (and apparently amphibians) is that they carry Salmonella with such high frequency. It is prudent to assume that all reptiles and amphibians can be a potential source of Salmonella.
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptiles/a/reptsalmonella.htm

Again, if you just wash your hands, don't track feces anywhere you eat, don't let the reptile just freely roam your house, and don't clean reptile equipment in the kitchen...ie, practice basic sense and hygiene...you will never have a problem.