Got my first tortoise today!!!

[eyespy]

Tonka is a Russian tortoise and has captured my heart. He arrived at 10:15, enjoyed a nice soak and was eating dandelions and clover an hour later. He has yet to hide and is apparently pretty happy ramming around his cage and checking out his rocks and dishes. I don't know his age as I adopted a WC but his good muscle tone and sturdy claws make me think he's a fairly young adult. I didn't weigh or measure him yet but he looks a little shy of 5" total carapace length.

What a happy day! I've wanted a turtle or tortoise for as long as I can remember but wanted to wait until I lived in an area with plenty of chemical-free areas for harvesting forage. If today is a fair indicator I'll be plucking a fair lot of plants.

I look forward to him settling in so that I can annoy him by taking a thousand pictures. :cool:

[marisa]

How cool! I also have wanted a tortoise for like a very long time! I just want to make sure I can house one properly. Congrats! Can't wait to see pictures!

Marisa

[NewLineReptile]

Congrats! eyespy i also have a russian tortoise they are one great tortoise good luck with yours :)

[Tim and Julie B]

Hahahaha.....welcome to the awsome world of turtle and tortoise husbandry. Once you have had this little guy for awhile you will be hooked and wonder why a) you never got one sooner and b) how many more should I get. Can't wait to see the pics. Congrads.Tim.

Remember you don't know what you are missing until you get a turtle or tortoise!

[eyespy]

I can't believe how quickly Tonka is adjusting to his new home. He's very active, but it doesn't seem to be a stress type of activity. He's just rumbling over his rocks and rearranging things in his cage like it's a hobby or something. No apparent attempts to escape or hide, seldom retracts his head.

I'm already thinking of putting in an application to adopt a female Russian but I want to wait until I am sure that I can hibernate them successfully. Anyhow one new animal in quarantine is quite enough right now. The free-roaming iguana is very ticked I won't let her in the bedroom!

[Tim and Julie B]

Haha I knew it!:D Hook.........Line.....................and sinker!:D

My little Greek has acted like that from day one! All she does is move things around, knock over her water dish and cause general havoc. Good thing she is tiny!!!:D About 4" fully grown!:DTim

[eyespy]

Sounds like a cutiepie, just like my Tonka. Don't you just love that ping-pong ball sound when they "thwok" off their rocks and dishes?

Here's a pic of Tonka tanking up:

<img src="http://www.repticzone.net/images/96/Dcp_1128.jpg">

[Turtle Matt]

Greeks get way bigger than 4"...My friend has an accurately measured female at 8".
matt

[Tim and Julie B]

There are different sud species. Mine is a Graeca graeca. They stay small. It is even smaller then my box turtles.:D

Your Tonka sure is cute!

[eyespy]

I'd love to see a pic of your little Greek, who makes my 4 7/8" Tonka seem big!

[Mardy]

Cute little tort. Yep you have to be ready for them long before you get them.

Mardy