Russian Tortoise Nail Trimming

In this video I show you how to trim your tortoise's nails. While I show you on my Russian Tortoise, this can also be applied to other tortoise species as it is essentially the same for all species. Doing it yourself is very easy and can save you some money big time.
If you are interested in other tortoise videos check out my playlist here: • Russian Tortoise Care
Follow me on Instagram if you want to see more frequent updates @_russiantorts_

[@danivee2951]

I just want to commend this video because as a first time tort owner I watched this and trimmed his nails PERFECTLY without hurting him. Also his beak. Thanks

[@turtleios2469]

You should upload again more often. I love seeing videos about Russian tortoises

[@marthaapps9488]

It's not good to keep them on their backs like that, it's suffocating for them

[@notepad3144]

I was just about to say that yes it will suffocat them

[@Hello-lr3pf]

Yeah he keeps some of the tortoise in a see through tank which is not good for tortoises because they will start piercing through the tank and they will spend there whole life trying to escape because they can see through it. It’s good for turtles but just not tortoises

[@kaylanewbill3293]

@@Hello-lr3pf turtles actually don't like glass tanks either.

[@marthaapps9488]

@Balanced I would recommend putting some sort of visual barrier on the glass. Tortoises in their natural environment normally cover long distances throughout the day, when they can see outside their enclosure they will typically stress themselves trying to walk through the glass. I appreciate you say yours is fine, but please reconsider this if you see it pacing at the borders or anything like that. I study animal management at a university level and we have multiple tortoises species on site, plus I own two myself, and glass is just not something I'd recommend. What species do you have?

[@marthaapps9488]

@Balanced perfect well done, I have hermanns so similar requirements, the only time I'd recommend glass is if you have a species which needs the humidity of a vivarium, but you should still cover the bottom part of the glass then

[@brutusbrown7778]

To any tortoise owners, do not keep your tortoise on its back for too long. It’s organs will weigh down their lungs and if upside down for too long they can possibly suffocate. I’m no vet and I don’t think this guy did anything wrong really, upside down for 15-30 minutes I wouldn’t say is necessarily lethal, but any time a tortoise is upside down is a very bad time for them. Be very watchful, especially with young tortoises who can have a hard time uprighting themselves, that they do not accidentally flip themselves over and spend a prolonged amount of time upside down. It’s a very quick and scary way to lose a tort friend.

[@ratnoodles6981]

Brutus Brown agreed

[@SuccessforLifester]

This video is an essential viewing for tortoise keepers. Thanks you!

[@user-vn1pd6tc8k]

Thank you very much for this clear and simple video! We are living in a small city in Ukraine and there are no any specialist or veterinarian, who could help us to look after our tortoise (named Pulia)! She is living with us for 5 years (but she's aproximatly 10 years old) and everytime it's quite difficult to us to looking after her. So, thanks for such instructional videos! :)

[@joshuagrahamfrom6594]

They can be life long friends

[@shadowpanther298]

Thanks for the advice! My tort has really long nails and I’ve been looking into trimming them.

[@nancycoffelt1660]

Thank you, very kool to see how its done. I will be doing for my tortoise.

[@Chimommy1980]

Very informative. Thank you. 🐢

[@juneburgess6969]

Thank you very much. My Russian tortoise Ross needs his nails trimmed. After watching you what to do I'm going to cut them right now! I love tortoises!!

[@rebeccaschmiederer5783]

Thank you’ this was very helpful and I will trim her nails tomorrow!

[@Salodanger75]

Spicy girlie. 😂😍 My russians don't poop when I cut their nails. They are used to it. 😊

[@sarahboutwell4391]

Thanks for the info!

[@FloydGerman]

I love Tortoise yay

[@user-iu8uj5vl3v]

These are beautiful animals, I admire them very much. I also have turtles.

[@jereksliwinski2789]

Thank you 👍

[@Pepe61661]

Thank you for posting this video! I did not even know you had to trim their nails. Pleas continue the great work! Also, Where can you get those nail clippers?

[@Amanda-do9kv]

I think at petco. And I didn't know either.

[@Pepe61661]

Amanda 777 Thanks!

[@RussianTorts]

Any pet store will carry nail clippers for dogs and cats

[@harrymcdonagh4013]

@@sue959 you do still need to trim them every so offen but yea it half the amount of times

[@sylviaegonzalez9981]

Hey buddy 🐢🐢🐢 awe so cute tortoise

[@IMDARKFIRE007]

Or you could just have things like flat rock in the enclosure that keep them down and sharp. Easier for both of you...not to mention this method blunted the hell out of her nails. If you had a pointed shovel for digging and I blunted it that badly you would be pissed.

[@maeve2810]

IMDARKFIRE007 their nails get sharper. think about like when you cut your nails and they're flat, the eventually take their old form

[@IMDARKFIRE007]

Maeve Right but in the meantime you have made digging very difficult...and unlike our nails, they need theirs to burrow down or to lay eggs. A flat rock or terra cotta is not only easier it’s safer. Plus it is grooming you never have to do or pay to have done. You did it right, not saying otherwise...it is just unnecessary and stressful/hindering to them.

[@karldoesstuffYT]

domestic russian tortoises hardly dig except to brumate, and even then they rarely do that. this is coming from the owner of a female russian tortoise, which is the gender that does 99% of rhe digging

[@IMDARKFIRE007]

@@karldoesstuffYT That may be true for your female, but most Russians including my male and female regardless of sex love to dig for other reasons such as micro climates when they sleep. Check out tortoiseforum, people all over it discuss their digging habits...and it's not just for brumating. Also you didn't even mention the fact females need their claws to dig when they have a clutch.

[@ratnoodles6981]

@@karldoesstuffYT my tortoise digs I would say TOO much. Where are you getting this info from?

[@patchu6425]

Thanks for your video. Could you do a video about socializing you're tortoise? Maybe a Q&A xx

[@rubym6679]

works at a pet shop yet he don’t know he is suffocating the tortoise by putting it upside down

[@Ochibason]

Good instructional! Just got a mature pair myself adopted. Back nails curling. Beeks very overgrown. You have a beek trimming?

[@crocodilelord2387]

I have a Russian tortoise thanks alot

[@Sam-qd9cx]

I can see it thank you

[@Violexie-wb7op]

Patilla is so damn cute. ❤ 🥺 Even when she's unhappy.

[@jessicaroberts9669]

M8 I just got a tortoise and she’s been digging non stop 😂😂😂

[@ratnoodles6981]

_XxS0LOxX_ Thats what they do

[@user-kf6hz2zn6s]

I like russian tortoise and I live with russian tortoises

[@user-kf6hz2zn6s]

but I can't English well

[@evamariabernard8640]

hello, thanx a lot it was really helpful video, just wondering...which kind of scisors are good for much smallest tortoise ? our is not yet 2 years old, TESTUDO HERMANNI, should i use ordinary maniqure little scisors then ? .... / if is not secret - how old is that ur beauty tortoise ? is also TESTUDO H ? / have a nice day

[@filiptoliver7497]

What are the steps to take to prepare for hibernation and to wake up from hibernation? How long is the usual hibernation?

[@reagan8567]

Hey RussianTorts. I have a very active Russian Tortoise and I feel she is going to need a bigger habitat considering her everyday activity. I really love your enclosure and I was wondering where you got it/what did you need to build it. I would also like to see a video on everything you have in Potilla's enclosure. If you could respond that would be helpful. Thank you and I quite enjoy your videos☺

[@ratnoodles6981]

reagan the number one thing is don’t let your tortoise live in a aquarium

[@reagan8567]

Presa da Strawberry today she just came out of hibernation for the year and she now lives in my backyard with plenty of space

[@purplefrancis2547]

Hey, I need advise for getting my first tortoise, when making a tortoise table what is the recommended size of it for a small room, and what kind of tortoise would you recommend for a first?

[@RussianTorts]

the bigger the better. I have a small room and my tortoise cage takes up about 1/4 of it (its 4x4 feet). If you cannot provide your tortoise with a big enough enclosure maybe think about a different reptile that will take up a little less space in your room. Generally, most people recommend 8x4 feet for an adult russian tortoise as a great enclosure size.

[@purplefrancis2547]

Thanks

[@SanaKhan-be2kb]

hey, mine baby is so tiny...Should I cut her nails too?

[@ketakikamath9339]

Hello. How do you visualise the nerves for a tortoise with black nails ?

[@natalierobinson8131]

My tortoise has a thin black line right through to the tip on one nail.i am too scared to cut it.

[@Drbethturtlewoman]

Have you ever tried to use a nail file?

[@itzjamie2453]

Hi dude what's your tortoise I have a horse field tortoise and how old is she

[@RussianTorts]

My girl's a russian tortoise. She is around 20 years old at this point

[@lizardlover8605]

Tortoise Lover a russian and horsfields tortoise are the same

[@2111jade]

I got a Russian dwarf. Lol. Tiny little guy.

[@KimboSlice9]

Hi I currently have a 4 by 2 ft tortoise table and my tortoise is coming up 4 years old I want to extend my tortoise table any recommendations about the size of it

[@RussianTorts]

Expand it as big as your room will let you. If you can expand it to be 8x2 feet that is great. If you can expand it to be 4x4 feet that is good too. Sometimes you need to work with the space you have. Keep in mind that you will get the greates surface area out of a square shaped enclosure

[@KimboSlice9]

RussianTorts thanks for the feedback I can extend it to 7 by 3 ft just need to build it now

[@Edits007]

What should i do if my tortoise is clawing the walls that are wood ? Is that a bad thing or should i leave him be and let him claw the walls

[@harrymcdonagh4013]

It's bad it means it knows there somewhere to escape

[@ratnoodles6981]

It means he is trimming his claws not

[@harrymcdonagh4013]

@@ratnoodles6981 uh no hes looking for an escape they only trim on rock or clay etc

[@janyahmurrpet7923]

@@harrymcdonagh4013 actually they do that when they are trying to dig

[@SuccessforLifester]

Can I file the nails after cutting it? I am concerned that she may cut her companion, like poking into the eyes

[@hailstormk9417]

Sean I’m sure it would be fine,

[@angelawalsh8319]

Is it. Necessary to cut there nails? I just got my Russian Tortoise a couple weeks ago but they say hes 3 yrs old but not sure he was at rescue place..Any way of knowing how to tell how old he is?

[@0nedairy]

There are rings on the individual scutes of the Shell, every 2 is 1 year as Google says

[@sylviaegonzalez9981]

☺️

[@MJ-fk2ko]

If you know anything about tortoises you'd know never to place them on their backs as it will crush their lungs.

[@MJ-fk2ko]

Also, she's very likely pooping due to the stress you've caused her. I have an 8 y/o cherryhead tortoise and I get a lot of my info from tortoise forums.

[@thundertazzy4127]

What does it mean when a Russian tortoise shakes its head side to side and arms to

[@Amanda-do9kv]

1: It's Either scared. 2: Or it's just trying to get up. It's not just your Tortoise doing it, Mine does it too. I think all of them do it actually.

[@RussianTorts]

As pointed out they often do it when they are on their back to try to help themselves to get back up. When they are on soft substrate this allows them to slowly turn from being straight on their back to one side.

[@kfisch31]

I've also heard they are trying to pump air to their lungs

[@bleedgreen9767]

@@kfisch31 they have to bc when theyre on their backs its organisms weigh down on its lungs and it cant breath

[@thundertazzy4127]

Shes cute but if you watch my vids and find the tortoise videos watch them russiantorts

[@waffle7429]

I am planning on building a tortoise table 45 inch by 20 inch. Is that big enough?

[@hugosilverio6829]

Tyler Staelens how big is your tortoise? And what type?

[@waffle7429]

Sorry its a Russian Tortoise hatchling

[@thomaswilliams7909]

just use nail clippers so easy

[@emmafleming3708]

My family just got a russian tortoise and he hasn't been eating what should I do I thought to ask since your channel is specifically about russian tortoises

[@knghazzabazza7595]

Emma fleming do you have a heat lamp?

[@emmafleming3708]

He doesn't have a heat lamp but he has one of those stick on heating pads for reptiles

[@knghazzabazza7595]

Emma fleming trust me I had the same problem I have heat pads too but it didn’t work but him a heat lamp they can’t digest there food or water correctly without it

[@emmafleming3708]

Can they die if they don't eat for long

[@emmafleming3708]

So we got him a heat lamp but he sill isn't eating I really have no idea what to do please help

[@emmafleming3708]

My tortoise also when ever I try to touch him or pick him up he makes a hissing noise what does it mean

[@breegladden6807]

Emma fleming its not them hissing. They dont have vocal cords so they cant make any noise at all. Its actually them trying to pull their head in their shell rapidly and air coming out of the shell . they do it involuntarily out of fear.

[@vollickplaysgames]

move slower, just startled him.

[@kaylanewbill3293]

It is air being pushed out from their nosie alerting that they were frightened.

[@raymurtagh4397]

You have snake !

[@gg_v2]

You look like lauri markennen

[@deathbyturtlexd1770]

I have a couple questions it’s not relevant to this video if that’s ok

[@idcccccccc]

"1/2 price"

[@MimiLikesRice]

have u ever had to trim the beak??

[@Prairiewench]

mimi nghi Beaks aren't supposed to grow like that. If it does, your turtle is unhealthy. Thats all I know

[@RussianTorts]

No, beaks in general do not need to be cut. The beak grinds down naturally as the tortoise eats its food. To help keep the beak from overgrowing it is good to feed of a rough surface. Terra Cotta clay saucers are great for this and what I use. If the beak of your tortoise is overgrown you need to take it to a vet. Beaks are much harder to trim and the risk of injuring your tortoise is very high if you try to do it yourself

[@SuccessforLifester]

RussianTorts my tortoise's beak got quite long and it later broke off on its own. Yes, it is terrifying to trim it

[@harrymcdonagh4013]

@@SuccessforLifester it just broke off wtf

[@SuccessforLifester]

@@harrymcdonagh4013 More like chipped off. She looks normal now

[@neki134]

Are you from Germany?

[@RussianTorts]

Born & Raised

[@kevinm5354]

What's the best substance for my Russian tortoises

[@sue959]

Hi um you can just get a rock and let her scrape it and it wears down the nails

[@blockmangoanimationbeta3684]

it's hurt them please dont do this mistake agian

[@ryantamayo9612]

Do russian tortoise even live in russia??

[@normalchimp8331]

Hey, I hope you can Help me:) I have two russian tortoises. I dont know they are males or females. Do you have Snapchat so I can send you pictures of them?

[@RussianTorts]

I think you already messaged me but my Instagram is @_russiantorts_

[@normalchimp8331]

RussianTorts Yeah and Thanks:)

[@xangelgaming6995]

please don’t put them on there back.

[@madamhill2121]

The sellers should at least put holes in the inside and outside of the boxes for oxygen . half their brains lost lack of oxygen by not having no air inside the box or out. Not humane at all. I'd like the sellers to stuff themselves inside a package with no way of receiving air to see how they come out.

[@harrymcdonagh4013]

Ty yessss

[@ratnoodles6981]

I don’t really think you are Supposed to clip they’re nails !!!!!, they can shave it down

[@harrymcdonagh4013]

You are

[@ratnoodles6981]

Harry Mcdonagh ?

[@harrymcdonagh4013]

@@ratnoodles6981 you are supposed to trim them

[@harrymcdonagh4013]

@@ratnoodles6981 they do shave down but not enough sorry didnt mean to be rude

[@ratnoodles6981]

@@harrymcdonagh4013 do you have a Russian tortoise? I have one and it’s nails are completely fine. No need to cut them and flip them over.

[@Prairiewench]

just the fact that you posted this makes me think that people are going to see this, do it wrong or when its not needed, and abuse their tortoise in the process.. :(

[@RussianTorts]

Please elaborate. This is exactly how vets cut tortoise nails as well. Find the quick, make sure to cut above it, use a pair of nail trimmers.

[@gorgonenonya8205]

Julia Pragit really your over reacting aren't you???

[@allaround7845]

where is your girl freind ?

[@saga2964]

Awwww...is Tortilla Jewish?

[@coauo]

DONT DO THAT IT COULD KILL THEM 😢

[@khetty100]

Madellina Gamez no it won't he knows what he is doing

[@knghazzabazza7595]

CrystalMoon I did it before this I cut his nail and uhh he began to bleed I was terrified

[@stampedeagar4823]

Clone trooper 66 if you put them on their back it’ll suffocate them.

[@harrymcdonagh4013]

@@knghazzabazza7595 it means you cut to far down to the nerve

[@Butter-onbread]

You have a unibrow, you need too wax it