Russian Tortoise
(Testudo horsfieldii)

The Russian tortoise has highly developed claws with four toes per foot, which are used for digging. The carapace is rounded and has a stocky appearance and will get to eitht to ten inches in length. The Russian tortoise's shell is greenish to olive-brown in color with patches of dark brown or black. In the wild, Russian tortoises can be found in Russia, Ukraine, Pakistan, and Western China.

Difficulty

NOVICE to MODERATE: The Russian tortoise's smaller size make it an excellent choice for hobbyists to keep. Russian tortoises do require specialized lighting.

Requirements

An enclosure, such as:

• Custom constructed enclosure

Substrate, such as:

• Sand/Soil mix

A heating element, such as:

• UV producing bulb
• Under the tank heater
• Incandescent heat bulb
• Ceramic infrared heat emitters

Enclosure

It is best to keep your Russian tortoise outside where temperatures are not too extreme. If you live in an area where temperatures fall below 40°F your tortoises should be moved indoors. If you bring the tortoise indoors an open “turtle table” of approximately four feet long by two feet wide by one to two feet deep makes and excellent eclosure for an adult Russian Tortoise though the bigger the better. Often preformed plastic garden ponds can be easily converted for this task. Very large screen enclosures may also be adequate.

Substrate

The substrate or bedding that you use is one of the most important parts of your Russian tortoise's home, since your tortoise will be spending all of its time on it. Russian tortoises like to dig and burrow. It is important to give the tortoise something that they can burrow in. A mix of 50% sterile play sand and a 50% organic soil works well. Aspen shavings, milled coconut fiber also make good choices. Pine, cedar, and oyster shells should be avoided.

Heating and Light

Russian tortoises should have daytime temperatures of 70°F to 75°F with a 80°F to 85°F basking area under a spotlight. Nightime temperatures should be 65°F to 75°F. Russian tortoises require UV light for proper metabolic and bone development. This can be provided with fluorecent bulbs or mercury vapor spot lights which also provide heat. A spotlight with an appropriate wattage incandescnet bulb or ceramic emitter can be used to provide heat. Many hobbyists will install thermometers or thermostats in the enclsosure to be able to accurately maintain these temperatures. Heated rocks and caves are never recommended for your Russian tortoise as they can lead to burns.

Diet

Russian tortoises require a high fiber, low protein, and calcium rich diet. Fruits should not be offered regularly since they contain high levels of sugar, which can create digestive problems. Do not feed high protein items to Russian tortoises since excessive protein may cause renal failure or impacted bladder stones which can result in the death of the Russian tortoise. A mixture of edible grasses and clovers, hibiscus leaves and flowers, alfalfa and other grass hays, water cress, dandelion, rose leaves and petals, sow thistle, romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, endive, escarole, kale, cactus pods can be fed to your Russian tortoise. If feeding lawn clippings or plants from the garden it is important to make sure that the surrounding area is not chemically treated. There are also commercially produced foods that can be used to supplement feedings, though it should not be the sole source of food.