Bringing home a new pet is exciting. You’ve done all the research and you have the habitat set up and food ready to go. Now, all you need is to bring home your new pet tortoise. Select a Russian tortoise by assessing how the tortoise is being housed and it’s overall appearance. Look for any triggers that could indicate that the Russian tortoise could be sick.
Does the Russian Tortoise Appear Sick?
No matter where you decide to buy a tortoise, it’s important to look for signs that the tortoise is sick.
- Discharge
- Bubbles from the nose or mouth
- Trouble breathing
- Swelling
- Swollen eyes
Ask to hold the tortoise to assess it’s physical well-being closer.
- Is the tortoise active?
- Is the shell hard or soft? Does the tortoise feel heavy or light? Is the shell smooth or lumpy? Are there any white spots on the shell that could indicate shell rot?
- Check the tortoise’s face for signs of illness. Are eyes dull or bright? Are the eyes sunken in?
- Is there any discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth
- Are the toenails or beak overgrown?
- Is the tail area clean or caked with dried poop?
Dos the Tortoise Appear Cared For?
Look for other criteria before selecting a Russian tortoise. Assess the housing and overall care and diet of the Russian tortoise.
- If the tortoise is housed with other animals, is the cage mixed with different species of tortoise or other reptiles?
- If the habitat houses multiple Russian tortoises, assess whether the habitat is overcrowded.
- Does the habitat have an odor?
- Does the tortoise have fresh food and water?
- Ask what food the tortoise eats? Is that the staple diet or a once-in-a-while meal?
- If housed in an indoor habitat, is the habitat littered with old food, poop and other debris?
- If housed in an outdoor habitat, does the tortoise have access to plenty of shelter, food and water?
In the end, trust your gut. Don’t buy an animal that you think could be sick in order to save it. This can potentially end up costing you hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Select a Russian Tortoise from an Online Source
If you are buying a Russian tortoise from an online source, as a ton of questions and research any reviews on the seller. Some sellers are able to send pictures of individual tortoises, however larger breeders may not be able to accommodate this request.
If you are unsure of the seller’s reputation, ask around on tortoise forums and check social media. Search for reviews on the seller. Although a seller may have a fancy website, he/she may be prone to shipping sick tortoises.
