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Russian Tortoise and box turtle

22 16:39:58

Question
I've got questions about about both so I will start with the Russian.  I just bought the Russian yesterday from a local pet store.  They didn't give much info except to feed it the pellets they have been feeding and to give fresh veggies and small amounts of fruit every two weeks.  The told me that she is about 11 years old from counting rings on the shell.  Right now she is in a 20 gal tank but that will be changing shortly.  I know she needs more room.  I have seen pics on other sites so I know what direction I need to go in.  Should I be feeding more veggies and less pellets?  I'm just nervous about making sure she has everything she needs and being healthy.  Any info will help!  Now to the box turtle, my husband brought it home.  The kids want to keep it but I'm thinking it needs to go back where it came from.  The day my husband brought it in one of its eyes was closed and after a few minutes of being out it would open.  I put it in a tank with an outdoor rug, log to hide in and some fruit and veggies.  On day 3(I was going to take it back to the outdoors but our temps went from 70's to 40's over night) both eyes were closed and watery.  I have been letting it crawl around the sink in warm water and have since moved it off the outdoor rug and the eyes are better.  I don't think it has eaten anything.  Is it possible to keep this turtle as a pet or should I take it back to the outdoors when it warms up?  I have seen eye drops at the pet store but didn't know if this would be helpful or harmful.  Sorry this is so long.  Just trying to do the right thing for my pets!

Answer
Russian: no fruits, meats, or pellets, please.

Try "endive, escarole, dandelion greens, watercress, frisee, red-leaf lettuce, radicchio, shredded carrot, turnip greens (small amounts), collards (small amounts), opuntia, romaine (small amounts), and occasional pumpkin or butternut squash.  The mixed salad diet is low in fiber so it is helpful to sprinkle with Bermuda grass hay that has been ground to a powder (a coffee grinder works well).  Dust the food with calcium daily, and if the tortoise isn't kept outdoors in natural sunlight, also use a combination calcium-D3 product a couple of times a week.  It is also helpful to keep a cuttlebone (with the back removed) in the enclosure so your tortoise can nibble on it if she or he feels the need for more calcium." (http://wwww.austinsturtlepage.com Russian Tortoise care sheets)

Other good Russian sites:
http://www.tortoisetrust.org
http://www.russiantortoise.org

Box Turtle: Let it go. Wild caught boxies tend to suffer from a LOT of stress and it causes eye infections, and more. It also might be illegal to collect them- they are protected in many states. (Not a huge legal risk, just an FYI).

Good boxie sites are:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com
http://www.boxturtlesite.info