Russian Tortoise

Enclosure type

Large indoor tortoise table or outdoor pen; needs more roaming space than most realize

Substrate

Soil/sand mix, coconut coir, or topsoil (4-6 inches deep). Must be dig-able. Avoid wood shavings. Outdoor tortoises will dig extensive burrows.

Hides

Hide large enough to fully conceal the tortoise; burrow access if possible

Notes

Minimum 4x8 feet indoor enclosure or outdoor pen in suitable climates. Tortoises need more space than most realize. Provide hide, basking area, and room to roam. Outdoor housing is ideal in warm, dry climates.

Ambient / cool side

70-80°F (21-27°C)

Basking spot

95-100°F (35-38°C)

Nighttime

60-75°F (15-24°C)

Heating method

Basking bulb and/or ceramic heat emitter

Humidity range

40-60%

Maintenance

From arid regions but need some humidity. Avoid overly dry or wet conditions.

UVB

Required: 10.0-12.0 UVB covering most of enclosure; replace every 6-12 months

Photoperiod

12-14 hours on / 10-12 hours off; seasonal variation beneficial

Lighting notes

REQUIRES UVB 10.0-12.0 covering most of enclosure. Replace every 6-12 months. Also needs bright white basking bulb. UVB is critical for shell development.

Staple food

Variety of grasses, weeds, dark leafy greens (dandelion, plantain, endive, spring mix)

Variety

Mazuri tortoise diet as supplement; NO fruit, limited vegetables

Frequency

Feed daily, as much as they will eat in 30 minutes. Remove uneaten food. Provide grazing opportunities if possible.

Supplements

Dust food with calcium (without D3) 3x per week, calcium with D3 1x per week. They can make D3 from UVB.

Notes

STRICT HERBIVORE: Feed variety of grasses, weeds, dark leafy greens (dandelion, plantain, endive, spring mix). NO fruit, limited vegetables. Fiber-rich diet essential. Mazuri tortoise diet can supplement.

Water bowl

Large shallow water dish; change daily; soak hatchlings 3x per week

Notes

Provide large shallow water dish for drinking and soaking. Change daily. Soak hatchlings 3x per week for 15-20 minutes to ensure hydration.

Disposition

Personable and active; tolerates handling but it is stressful; keep sessions brief

Recommendations

Generally tolerate handling but it's stressful. Keep handling minimal. Support shell completely. They may urinate when picked up (defense mechanism) - this is normal but causes dehydration.

Respiratory infections, shell rot, pyramiding (from incorrect diet/humidity), bladder stones, and vitamin A deficiency.

Russian tortoises can live 40-50+ years. They brumate (hibernate) naturally in winter, even in captivity. This is normal but requires preparation. Females are larger than males. They are excellent diggers and will burrow extensively. Need annual vet checkups. Males can be aggressive toward each other and may harass females excessively. Best housed individually or one male with multiple females in very large space. Outdoor housing is ideal when possible - natural sunlight is invaluable.