Many people buy a turtle or tortoise and know very little about their care and dont realize how large or how. Before buying a new pet russian tortoise for sale, it is important to research care and information about the animal in order to understand its needs to have a happy, healthy life range. A 20 gallon or larger terrarium is recommended for a single adult tortoise. The species name of the russian tortoise is tortudo horsefieldii, or agrionemis horsefieldii the agrionemis horsefieldii is a small sized tortoise. Learn how to care for russian tortoises available at petco. Please dont think that you are ready to take care of your tortoise after watching this video.
So you want to purchase a healthy captive bred baby russian tortoise for sale, but what does it eat. The sole reason for starting a youtube channel, and what got me into pets, is my tortoise potilla. Lacking the movable plastron hinge between the femoral and the abdominal scutes possessing a horny claw or spur at the end of its tail as well as tubercles or enlarged scales on the sides of its tail and thighs see left. I feel that this is due in part to the fact that they are very adaptable. A tortoise can be an exhausting and difficult pet fearless and adventurous, with complex moods and. Russian tortoises care guide, testudo horsfieldii are found in southern russia, and parts of china and pakistan. Russian tortoises living outdoors and allowed to dig burrows are very capable of taking care of themselves as far as temperatures are concerned. Our captive bred leopard tortoise hatchlings are at least one month old and actively eating. Things to remember when feeding your russian tortoise. My pet tortoise is wrecking my career this article is more than 2 years old. Russian tortoises also enjoy climbing, so try to provide an enclosure that gives them that opportunity. We will do our best to place any turtle or tortoise which can no longer be kept for whatever reason. There is a lot of conflicting information about the russian tortoise. Russian tortoise care sheet horsefield tortoise care russian.
While on the tortoise table you must supply a basking lamp and a 5% uv lamp or a combined lamp, such as the megaray. If you learn to care for them properly, they will live to be 80100 years old. Testudo marginata and testudo weissingeri have similar identifying features, and t. Part of the reason is that russian tortoise adapt very well to different climates and situations. Russian tortoise care chicago exotics animal hospital. With proper care, russian tortoises can live to be over 50 years old.
These lamps need to be on for 12 to 14 hours per day. Trade in the horsfields or russian tortoise has unfortunately greatly expanded following the disintegration of the former soviet union. Another identifiable feature of the russian tortoise is that it has four toes. Russian tortoises are among the smaller and easier turtles to take care of. Given the right kind of care, they may even outlive the owners. With a long life span, expect your russian tortoise to be a companion for life. Russian tortoise care tips by sarah and tyler stewart the popular russian tortoise agrionemys testudo horsfieldii is a small tortoise native to many different countriesnot just russia, but also uzbekistan, afghanistan, iran, china, kazakhstan, pakistan and others. Also benefit from a russian tortoise commercial diet, but should be no more than 25% of the diet. Because of her this channel exists and this playlist is just of her and how to take care of tortoises. Second to dietthis is the subject that seems to raise the most questions. Russian tortoise care sheet russian tortoise diet russian. I have kept the best info for my famous email care course so if you havent already shame on you. From far eastern europe and the countries of uzbekistan and kazakhstan to china, the russian tortoise, also known as horsfields tortoise.
My pet tortoise is wrecking my career life and style the. Natural history found naturally in the dry open landscapes of aghanistan, pakistan, iran, russia, and china this tortoise is also known as the steppe tortoise, the afghanistan tortoise, the russian box turtle, and the fourtoed tortoise. The preferred method for raising russian tortoises is an outdoor enclosure in a warmer climate. Fresh, clean, chlorinefree water should be available at all times. The long island turtle rescue is a small local rescue for turtles and tortoises, however any turtle or tortoise needing a home from anywhere in the states will never be turned away. I will attempt to address all the questions and concerns that have been presented to me over the past 11 years. Russian or afghan tortoise testudohorsfieldii has virtually identical husbandry requirements and therefore the information presented here is. Russian tortoise testudo horsfieldii turtle rescue league. Russian tortoise care guide the top 7 most helpful tips in 2019. My pet tortoise is wrecking my career life and style. Mar 22, 2020 how to take care of a russian tortoise. Ours bask in the low to mid 90s, with a uvb source also provided. Just purchased a male russian tortoise from this website, he arrived a little cool because we just had a mild temperature drop, but let him soak in some warm water, dried him off and put him in his new terrarium and he ate a bunch of the romainecarrots i put in there this morning and he is now passed out under the heat lamp. Well, a lot but in all seriousness, feeding them properly is key to a healthy pet russian tortoise.
Clinical disease associated with tehv1 is more common in the spring. Russian tortoises are a big commitment, and make sure to do the proper research before getting one. Theyre only about, making them a great beginner reptile. However, they cant be raised with ignorance, and with their long life, they need to be taken care of. It prefers a generally dry climate with seasonal variations in. May 29, 2017 my pet tortoise is wrecking my career this article is more than 2 years old. Whitney has raised and bred different species of geckos, snakes, lizards, tortoises, and other exotics since 2003. Russian tortoises do not often drink, the get their moisture from the metabolic moisture produced from their food. Before buying a new pet russian tortoise for sale, it is important to research care and information about the animal in order to understand its needs to have a happy, healthy life. Russian tortoise care sheet caging needed if you house your russian tortoise in a terrarium, a minimum size of 75 gallons is required.
This small tortoise enjoys burrowing and roaming about its habitat. Daily care routineseveral people have asked me what my daily routine is with the tortoises, since it does take a little bit of time to care of tortoises properly. All perimeter walls should be at least twice as high as the largest tortoise is long, and it is. The male russian tortoise grows to approximately 20cm. Take special care in corners, which are often implicated in escapes. They can be fed a variety of leafy greens such as turnip greens, collard greens, mustard. Human activities in its native habitat contribute to its threatened status. Approved care sheet russian tortoise testudo horsfieldii russian tortoise background russian tortoises are an inquisitive, small, hardy tortoise from russia southward through eastern iran, northwest pakistan and afghanistan. Testudo marginata is the largest species in the testudo genus. Baby russian tortoise care sheet also for other herbivorous. With proper care they should out live their owners. Their rugged lifestyle and small adult size have made the russian tortoise one of the most popular reptile pets in the united states.
They are oriented sideways in the egg and appear folded when they hatch. Testudo horsfieldii, horsfield, agrionemys, steppe. The smallest and the most adorable legally available tortoise as pets is the russian tortoise. Russian tortoise care sheet care sheet for the russian tortoise testudo agrionemys horsfieldii. Over all they make great pets despite the extra work. If you purchase your russian tortoise rt from a pet store the first thing you should do is bring your new tortoise along with a fecal poop sample to a qualified veterinarian who works with reptiles, turtles in particular, so the tort can be checked over and the fecal checked for parasites. With a relatively small size but big personality, the russian tortoise is one of the most popular tortoises kept as a pet. The popular russian tortoise agrionemys testudo horsfieldii is a small tortoise native to many different countriesnot just russia, but also uzbekistan, afghanistan, iran, china, kazakhstan, pakistan and others. Common health problems with russian tortoises pethelpful. Be sure to select only a captive bred russian torotise for sale from an experienced russian tortoise breeder. Mar, 20 in this video i show you what basic steps are required to take care of your russian tortoise. Russian tortoises are great beginner pet tortoises, as they are healthy and hardy creatures.
Once youve purchased your russian tortoise for sale, it is time to get ready to prepare for your new pet tortoise to arrive and get everything ready. There are 461 turtle and tortoise species and they come in all sizes, from giant leatherback sea turtles that can get over 7 feet long and weigh over 1,500 lbs, to the speckled tortoise that only gets 4 inches long and weighs up to 5. They can be fed a variety of leafy greens such as turnip greens, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, hibiscus leaves and flowers, green onions, green. Certain species of both turtles and tortoises make great pets. Before we dig into this epic care guide, remember that a russian tortoise is the exact same as a horsefield tortoise. Russian tortoise care guide the top 7 most helpful tips.
A great species for keepers just starting out, russian tortoises are one the easiest to care for, and quickly win the favor of their keepers. Tortoise herpesvirus 1 tehv1 genotype appears to be very common in russian tortoises and in fact, testudo horsfieldi is the predominant host species for tehv1. Care sheets provide you with essential info on how to best take care of these interesting pets. It can take up to 2 days for a hatchling to break out of an egg. A variety of options from plastic bins and aquariums to custom built tortoise pens can be considered. Russian tortoise care melissa giese, dvm ness exotic wellness center 1007 maple avenue lisle, il 60532 630 7371281 general information native habitat. The complete pet owners manual on russian tortoise care, handling, interaction, feeding, diet, housing, health care and more. They are very active and responsive to their owners, and they make great first reptiles when cared for properly. Tortoise trust web practical care of the russian tortoise. They can prove to be a bit of a challenge, as they require specific dietary care. These tortoises are relatively small compared to others in the pet market. They burrow to help regulate their temperature and humidity. A great species for keepers just starting out, russian tortoises are one the easiest to.
Russian tortoises well started hatchlings and juveniles. Before purchasing your new captive bred baby russian tortoise for sale online, please do your homework and learn about proper russian tortoise care, russian tortoise diet, russian tortoise breeding and more. The russian tortoise agrionemys horsfieldii, also commonly known as the afghan tortoise, the central asian tortoise, horsfields tortoise, fourclawed tortoise, and the russian steppe tortoise, is a threatened species of tortoise in the family testudinidae. These tortoise is readily eating a variety of lettuces, sweet potatoes, and assorted greens. Specifically made tortoise terrariums are a better option than your typical reptile. Jul 31, 2019 whitney has raised and bred different species of geckos, snakes, lizards, tortoises, and other exotics since 2003. Russian tortoises agrionemys horsfieldii are a small species of tortoise native to many different countries including uzbekistan, afghanistan, iran, russia, china, kazakhstan, pakistan and. Russian tortoise care sheet russian tortoise information. They can become tame and friendly with gentle handling. Great care must be taken that the substrate in the box is kept clean and changed weekly to prevent mold and excessive bacterial growth. Russian tortoise care sheet russian tortoise information and. Jul 24, 20 russian tortoises are a big commitment, and make sure to do the proper research before getting one. Raised on a lean, highfiber diet, captiveraised animals in lowstress environments have higher life expectancies. You may also keep your russian tortoise outdoors if the weather is similar to their natural habitat.
Most of the adult russian tortoises currently available in this country are imported, as adults, from their lands of origin. The coloration of this tortoise is a reddish brown or black, which lightens to yellow in between the scutes. Well, a lot but in all seriousness, feeding them properly is key to a healthy pet russian tortoise feeding them is also simple. The russian tortoise can be distinguished from other members of genus testudo by. The female tortoise will lay up to five eggs per clutch. The russian tortoise, which is the name it is usually known by, was named after the naturalist thomas horsefield. Caring for a russian tortoise russian turtle caresheet. Daily care, pros and cons, cages, costs, diet, breeding all covered hoppendale, george on. Below are some tips and information on the care of the captive bred russian tortoise. Russian tortoise care sheet horsefield tortoise care. Russian tortoise basic care and turtle rescue of long. I have found that associating tortoise care with our regular daily activities makes it easy to find a good routine. These boxes of dirt fulfill a natural need for the tortoise while maintaining humidity in the cage.
The russian tortoise also known as the horsefield tortoise, central asian tortoise, steppe tortoise, afghanistan tortoise and russian box turtle is a species of tortoise commonly found in sandy clayey areas of central asia as in parts china, iran, afghanistan, pakistan, uzbekistan. Although they are called russian tortoises, they are found in more countries than just russia. In this video i show you what basic steps are required to take care of your russian tortoise. An adult russian tortoise can be kept in a space that is a minimum of 4 x 3 feet and 1012 inches tall depending on the size of the tortoise. Russian tortoise diet russian tortoise care horsfield.
By tyler stewart written for use by reptiles magazine. Once youve purchased your russian tortoise for sale, it is time to get ready to prepare for your new pet tortoise to arrive and get everything ready below are some tips and information on the care of the captive bred russian tortoise you can always email us with questions you may have about your new pet russian tortoise. These tortoises do quite well outdoors in florida provided they have adequate shaded areas and are kept dry during rainy seasons. This site is dedicated to providing exchange of ideas and information to create a better understanding of the care and breeding of the russian tortoise. Russian tortoise information and russian tortoise care sheet. Russian tortoises well started hatchlings and juveniles for. Russian tortoises have a very social personalitythey are considered to have a personality much like a dog. Some tortoises have a tendency to go to the bathroom in their water bowl, so expect to clean and disinfect this daily. House your russian tortoise in a enclosure that is big enough for the tortoise to move around in freely. Many have visible yolk sacks and should be kept in the incubator until the yolk sack absorbs.