Russian Tortoise

Russian Tortoise Latin name: Testudo horsfieldii

Russia, Ukraine, Pakistan, and Western China

8” - 10”

Estimated to 100 years if proper care is given

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. The shell is greenish to

olive-brown in color with diffuse patches of dark brown or black color. There is no movable hinge

on the plastron.

It is best to keep your tortoise outside where temperatures are not too extreme. If you

live in an area where temperatures fall below 40

Temperatures should be kept at 70° - 80° F for day temperatures with a basking

spot of 85

It is important that adequate lighting is provided. Lighting must provide UVA and

UVB for proper skeletal and shell development. Incandescent lights may be used to

provide basking spots. Ceramic emitters or under-the-tank heaters may also be used to

heat the enclosure

Substrates such as Bed-a-Beast™, newspaper, aspen, indoor/outdoor carpeting and

lizard litter are all adequate. You may wish to provide deeper substrate for your tortoise

so that it may dig. It is important to remember that this species comes from arid climates

and the humidity must be kept low. If the humidity is too high the tortoise can become

prone to pneumonia, shell problems, as well as eye infections.

In the wild, these tortoises come from a fairly dry environment and often can be

found along rocky hillsides with many places available for cover.

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 since excessive protein may cause renal failure or impacted bladder stones

which can result in the death of the 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

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.

Fresh water should be offered at all times. Your tortoise will also appreciate a 10-minute soak in a

bath of tepid water. This will ensure proper hydration.

The enclosure should be spot cleaned daily. A thorough cleaning should be performed on a

regular basis. A 5% bleach solution is an excellent disinfectant. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the

enclosure before replacing the substrate and placing the tortoise back in the enclosure. It is always

recommended to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the tortoise or cleaning the cage and

cage accessories.